1. Everyone Wins with the ISAC Corps!
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
Abel Montoya – Director of Outreach Operations
Jalaine Hart – Region 1 Corps Coordinator (Northwest Illinois)
Chandrea Chaiyarat – Wright College district
Cassidy O’Connell – Oakton Community College District
Champions of Financial Aid ILASFAA Conference

2. Champions of Financial Aid - 2017 ILASFAA Conference
ISAC: The Agency
Mission Statement: Making college affordable and accessible for Illinois students.
Champions of Financial Aid ILASFAA Conference

3. Champions of Financial Aid - 2017 ILASFAA Conference
What’s the challenge?
Employers are having trouble finding the people with the skills needed to fill all of their current job openings.
Two-thirds of jobs created in this decade will require some type of postsecondary skill
Only slightly more than 40 percent of US adults age 25 to 64 have a postsecondary credential
Champions of Financial Aid ILASFAA Conference

4. Our Solution: The ISACorps
Recent college grads serving as near-peer mentors to help students prepare for college
Building partnerships with schools and in communities
Champions of Financial Aid ILASFAA Conference

5. Champions of Financial Aid - 2017 ILASFAA Conference
ISACorps History
First cohort started in this year will be our 9th cohort
Approximately 80 Corps members from diverse backgrounds placed throughout IL
Assist students with the college-going process
Conducted 900+ FAFSA workshops & 650+ financial aid presentations so far in ’16-’17
Champions of Financial Aid ILASFAA Conference

6. Champions of Financial Aid - 2017 ILASFAA Conference
Responsibilities
Help students (and families) overcome academic, financial, and social barriers to higher education through presentations, workshops, and one-on-one mentoring
Represent ISAC at college fairs, financial aid nights, conferences, and related events
Promote programs and service offered by ISAC to communities throughout the state
Foster college-going culture in communities throughout Illinois
Champions of Financial Aid ILASFAA Conference

7. Champions of Financial Aid - 2017 ILASFAA Conference
Skills and Knowledge
In-depth knowledge of financial aid
Fully understand the college-going process
Public speaking
Mentoring students throughout the community
Organizing events and community outreach
Creating valuable partnerships with agencies and community based organizations
Professional networking and partnership building
This opportunity serves as a great stepping stone for careers in education and social services
Champions of Financial Aid ILASFAA Conference

8. Champions of Financial Aid - 2017 ILASFAA Conference
Hit the Ground Running
Champions of Financial Aid ILASFAA Conference

9. Champions of Financial Aid - 2017 ILASFAA Conference
Day in the Life
Often times very mobile
Varies week to week, month to month
All-day mentoring at a school
Presentations and FAFSA workshops
After-school programs
Occasional weekend and evening programming
Interacting with students, families, school staff, community leaders, etc.
Varies district to district
Champions of Financial Aid ILASFAA Conference

10. Work Varies from District to District
Cassidy O’Connell
Oakton Community College District
Chandrea Chaiyarat
Wright College District
Champions of Financial Aid ILASFAA Conference

11. Regional Coordinators
ISACorps Structure
1 – 3 Corps members per community college district
6 – 8 community college districts per ISACorps Region
7 ISACorps Regions in Illinois
ISACorps Director
Corps central office functions (operations, training, recruitment, communications)
Regional Coordinators
Corps Members
Champions of Financial Aid ILASFAA Conference

12. Regional Coordinator Role
Region Coordinators provides additional support
Observe and give feedback
Hold in-person region meetings
Assign outreach requests
Jalaine Hart – Region 1 Coordinator
Champions of Financial Aid ILASFAA Conference

13. Year in the Life Champions of Financial Aid - 2017 ILASFAA Conference
SUMMER
6-week residential training in the Chicagoland area
EARLY FALL
Building relationships
Gaining access
Program planning
FALL
College application season
Application workshops
College Changes Everything programming
FALL/WINTER
FAFSA completion workshops
Financial aid presentations
SPRING
College decision time for students
Champions of Financial Aid ILASFAA Conference

14. Initiative to combat summer melt
Text students of when FAFSA is available
Text students when MAP will be suspended
Students text their name to the area code closest to them:
(217) (309)
(618) (630)
(708) (773)
(815) (847)
Champions of Financial Aid ILASFAA Conference

15. Champions of Financial Aid - 2017 ILASFAA Conference
We’re Hiring!
Two-year commitment
$25,000 salary
Laptop stipend
Work cell phone provided
Tuition waiver at public universities
Intense and continuous training
Recommend any students abut to graduate
Champions of Financial Aid ILASFAA Conference