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September 2025 IllinoisCAN Newsletter
Illinois College Access Network Newsletter
September 2025
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:
September IllinoisCAN Quarterly Meeting
Join us on Wednesday, September 17 from 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. (CT) for the September IllinoisCAN Quarterly Meeting, featuring Eddie Brambila, Managing Director of College Access. He will share insights on the new Direct Admissions process and what it means for students and schools across Illinois.
ISACorps™ Update: Launching the 2025-26 Service Year
The ISACorps (Corps) recently completed their intensive summer training program known as CorpsCon! The Corps works directly with high school students as near-peer mentors providing presentations, workshops, and one-on-one assistance with college planning and financial aid, including financial aid application completion, and much more. During CorpsCon, the Corps practice presenting, discuss social and emotional issues commonly faced by high school students, and learn how to respond to real-life scenarios they may encounter in the field. Corps members share that they enjoy the interactive activities and seeing all of the regions collaborate, integrate, and make friends. Training and learning continue when Corps members get into the field, working all over the state. Newer Corps members continue to connect with one another and get advice from senior Corps members as they develop their technical knowledge and interpersonal skills.
To find a local ISACorps member and other resources for students, visit studentportal.isac.org.
Register Now for ISAC's In-Person Trainings!
ISAC's fall in-person professional development schedule is now available! Professional Development and Continuing Education hours are available and trainings will be held at multiple locations across Illinois.
View the schedule and register on ISAC's Upcoming Professional Development Offerings page. Please share these opportunities with colleagues and partners!
NCAN Webinars
October Webinars:
- FAFSA 2026-27 Kickoff: FAFSA is Working! – October 8, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. (CT)
- Beltway Buzz: A Discussion of Pressing Issues in Washington – October 15, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. (CT)
NCAN webinars are free for NCAN members and $99 for non-members. Register today!
FAN Events
ISAC helps sponsor Family Action Network (FAN) events, which are always free and open to the public. FAN curates a high-quality speaker series on a variety of topics relevant to our work.
Please visit the FAN website to learn more and to register. If you're not able to participate in a live FAN event, all events are recorded. Visit the FAN website to view the library of past events and recordings.
One Click College Admit
One Click College Admit is an initiative of the State of Illinois and is the state's quick and stress-free direct admissions program into most state public universities and all community colleges. For general admission to a state university or community college, there are no application fees, no essays, and no letters of recommendation required! No lengthy application process! The only requirement to be considered for admission into most of the state's universities is your GPA. If you meet the university's GPA requirement, you're in! Please visit https://oneclickadmit.org/ for more information and to opt-in. The Illinois Board of Higher Education, Illinois Student Assistance Commission, and Common App invite high school counselors and other college access professionals to learn about this unique program for all Illinois students!
Register for an informational webinar on Friday, September 12, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. (CT). During the webinar, we'll share:
- A list of participating Illinois public universities and community colleges
- Student eligibility criteria
- The in-app student experience
- Resources to support students and families
The webinar will be recorded and will be made available on the One Click College Admit website.
Which College and Career Readiness Standards Best Align with Positive Outcomes after High School?
Urban Institute research shows that seven readiness measures, including AP/IB enrollment, dual enrollment, FAFSA completion, and career-technical credentials, are most strongly linked to positive postsecondary outcomes. If you're interested, you can check out their 50-state analysis of college, career, military, and civic readiness indicators, too.
Inside a Network of Fake College Websites
An Inside Higher Ed investigation reveals a network of fraudulent college websites designed to mimic real institutions. With fabricated programs, faculty, and admissions pages, these sites highlight growing concerns about online scams in higher education and the challenges of protecting prospective students.
Get Involved
Do you have events, news, requests, or resources to share with college access colleagues? Submit content by September 21 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.
This message was sent to you by the Illinois College Access Network because our records indicate you are a member of the network and/or have engaged with IllinoisCAN activities.
If you have any questions regarding this message, please contact the Illinois College Access Network by calling 847.831.6765 or by sending an e-mail message to ISAC.IllinoisCAN@illinois.gov.
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