January 2026 IllinoisCAN Newsletter

January 2026

Welcome to IllinoisCAN's monthly newsletter.

The mission of IllinoisCAN is to improve postsecondary access and success for low-income and first-generation college students in Illinois. IllinoisCAN builds the capacity and effectiveness of college access organizations to help students reach their goals. IllinoisCAN monthly newsletters are intended to be for us and by us – professionals around the state working to improve college access.

In this issue:

• Become Certified in Financial Aid
• Illinois Education and Career Success Network Conference: Stronger Together
• Teachers of Illinois Scholarships Program: Application Now Open
• New NASFAA Resource: Campus Leadership Brief on OBBBA Loan Changes
• Seeking Externship Opportunities for ISACorps
• One Click College Admit (OCCA)
• Get Involved

Become Certified in Financial Aid

Register for ISAC's Financial Aid Certification (FAC) series to support students through the financial aid process! The series includes a detailed breakdown of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®), the information required to complete the FAFSA or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid, and tips for students to better understand financial aid offers. Upon completion of the training, participants will be equipped to assist students and families in the financial aid process from beginning to end.

The Financial Aid Process Webinar 1/26/26, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (CT)

The FAFSA Line-by-Line Webinar 1/27/26, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (CT)

Verification & Professional Judgment Webinar 1/28/26, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (CT)

Packaging and Financial Aid Offers Webinar 1/29/26, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (CT)

Working with Special Student Populations Webinar 1/30/26, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (CT)

For registration details and information about more upcoming FREE professional development webinars, visit the ISAC Professional Development Offerings page. More ISAC professional development events and webinars will be available this spring.

Please share these opportunities with colleagues and partners. Professional Development and Continuing Education hours are available.

For questions, contact isac.outreachtraining@illinois.gov.

Illinois Education and Career Success Network Conference: Stronger Together

Registration is still open for the Illinois Education and Career Success Network conference on February 26 at Moraine Valley Community College! Join education, workforce, and community leaders who are committed to advancing equitable postsecondary attainment in Illinois.

Featured keynote: Dr. Jeff Strohl from Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce will explore the future of work, projected employment trends through 2031, and how education can prepare students for tomorrow's opportunities.

Concurrent sessions include:

• A Glimpse Behind the Industry Curtain: Real-World Student Connections – Discover how Southern Illinois is building bridges between education and employment through partnerships and immersive career events.
• Direct Admission Illinois: A Collaborative Effort with a Statewide Impact – Learn how state agencies are collaborating to bring the dream of a college education to all Illinois students.
• Engaging Families in College and Career Pathways – Explore strategies and tools for communicating complex information about career pathways in clear, accessible, and culturally responsive ways.
• From Data to Action: Shaping Illinois' Workforce Future – Interactive session exploring the latest projections for Illinois’ labor market over the next decade and strategies to close skills gaps and expand access to training.
• Keeping Pace with Federal Shifts: Responding to Changes for Illinois Students – Unpack how federal decisions are reshaping education and learn practical steps to stay informed.
• Supporting Students with Disabilities To and Through Their Postsecondary Journeys – Workshop with the UChicago To&Through Project on creating more inclusive college planning experiences.

Professional development and continuing education hours will be available!

Teachers of Illinois Scholarships Program: Application Now Open

The Teachers of Illinois Scholarship Program, a new program for the 2025-26 academic year, is now accepting applications. Please encourage students who are interested in or currently pursuing initial teacher licensure, as well as teachers seeking additional endorsements or a master's degree, to apply online! For priority consideration, apply by February 16, 2026. ISAC will continue to accept applications after that date if funding is available.

⇒ Learn about full eligibility requirements and apply on the Teachers of Illinois Scholarship Program page.

Please note that the Teachers of Illinois Scholarship Program replaces the Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship, which is no longer active. The Teachers of Illinois Scholarship Program has different eligibility criteria, so we encourage all students who were previously receiving an MTI Scholarship to review the new program and apply if eligible.

New NASFAA Resource: Campus Leadership Brief on OBBBA Loan Changes

In response to new policies resulting from negotiated rulemaking under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), NASFAA has developed a one-page brief for campus leadership outlining upcoming changes to the federal student loan programs. The brief is designed to inform leaders about key changes, highlight potential institutional challenges, and provide relevant resources.

Seeking Externship Opportunities for ISACorps

ISAC is seeking short-term job shadowing, site visit, or informational interview experiences for ISACorps members through its externship program. Dates and times are flexible, and the duration need not exceed one day. Currently, five ISACorps members, based in different areas of the state, are excited about finding an externship/job shadow experience this spring:

• A Corps member in Rockford is interested in program management, advising, or client support roles in nonprofits, state agencies, or higher education.
• A Corps member in Peoria hopes to explore careers in higher education (perhaps academic advising), medical, or school social work.
• A Corps member in Naperville is interested in working in a public or nonprofit setting in financial analysis or project management.
• A Corps member in Galesburg is interested in higher education or college access work focused on enrollment, outreach, or advising, as well as in using their experience in copywriting and editing.
• A Corps member in Springfield is seeking opportunities that connect their passion for social service with their communications background (film, photography, and social media).

⇒ Share opportunities for an externship by completing the ISACorps Externship Host Interest Form. Questions? Contact Renee Martinez at Renee.Martinez@illinois.gov. You are invited to share this information with your professional network.

One Click College Admit (OCCA)

Be sure your high school juniors and seniors know they can now participate in the state's new direct admissions program: a quick, stress-free direct admissions program into most state public universities and all community colleges. Through this program, all eligible high school seniors automatically receive offers of general admission to participating state public universities and their local community college based on their GPA. The program also removes the requirements for application fees, essays, and letters of recommendation.

⇒ Visit One Click College Admit at oneclickadmit.org to access program details and promotional materials.

Get Involved

Do you have events, news, requests, or resources to share with college access colleagues? Submit content by February 10^th to ISAC.IllinoisCAN@illinois.gov.

Newsletter Submission Guidelines: https://illinoiscan.org/resources/Newsletters/index.html

Follow us on Facebook:

• Like and Follow the Illinois College Access Network page.
• Join the IllinoisCAN Facebook group to connect and collaborate.

Share IllinoisCAN with colleagues as we expand to our statewide network.