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 - 2017 ILASFAA Conference

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

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 https://www.luminafoundation.org/goal_2025#goal-issue Champions of Financial Aid - 2017 ILASFAA Conference

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 - 2017 ILASFAA Conference

Champions of Financial Aid - 2017 ILASFAA Conference ISACorps History First cohort started in 2009 - 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 - 2017 ILASFAA Conference

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 - 2017 ILASFAA Conference

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 - 2017 ILASFAA Conference

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

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 - 2017 ILASFAA Conference

Work Varies from District to District Cassidy O’Connell Oakton Community College District Chandrea Chaiyarat Wright College District Champions of Financial Aid - 2017 ILASFAA Conference

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 - 2017 ILASFAA Conference

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 - 2017 ILASFAA Conference

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 - 2017 ILASFAA Conference

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) 207-3265 (309) 306-7066 (618) 223-6450 (630) 216-4910 (708) 252-3890 (773) 453-9520 (815) 242-4630 (847) 243-6470 Champions of Financial Aid - 2017 ILASFAA Conference

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 www.isac.org/JoinTheISACorps Champions of Financial Aid - 2017 ILASFAA Conference