Illinois Launches Statewide Campaign to Help Students Apply for College and Financial Aid (Chicago, IL) – The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) has launched its 10th annual College Changes Everything® (CCE) Campaign, a statewide initiative designed to help students and families prepare for education after high school. Running from Labor Day through Thanksgiving, the campaign offers free college and financial aid workshops across Illinois.
The program connects students with resources to navigate the often-daunting application process for college admissions and financial aid, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). The FAFSA determines eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid, including grants and scholarships that do not need to be repaid. For students who do not qualify for federal aid, Illinois also offers the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid.
“Each year, the CCE Campaign helps Illinois students find the path to education after high school that is right for them, and assists them in applying for the funding that can make that education possible,” said ISAC Executive Director Eric Zarnikow. “Over the past decade, our partners have helped hundreds of thousands of students gain access to higher education and financial aid, opening doors to brighter futures.”
The campaign is especially important as Illinois requires high school seniors to complete a financial aid application before graduation. ISAC’s workshops and one-on-one support are intended to make that process more accessible, particularly for first-generation college students.
Students and families can access resources in several ways:
Workshops and Events: Free college and financial aid completion workshops are available statewide (studentportal.isac.org/events).
One-on-One Help: ISACorps™ members—trained, near-peer mentors—offer local and virtual support (studentportal.isac.org/isacorps).
Text Messaging Service: Students can get quick answers through the ISAC College Q&A text line (isac.org/collegeqa).
Online Tools: Scholarship searches, cost estimators, and college planning guides are available at the ISAC Student Portal (isac.org/studentportal).
ISAC also supports school counselors through its Financial Aid Application Completion Initiative, which helps identify students who have not filed financial aid forms. Schools reaching key milestones in application completion are recognized for their efforts.
The College Changes Everything campaign underscores the belief that higher education not only transforms individual lives but also benefits entire communities through improved economic opportunities, health outcomes, and social mobility.
More information on the campaign is available at collegechangeseverything.org.
Illinois Launches Statewide Campaign to Help Students Apply for College and Financial Aid
