Governor Pritzker Proclaims October Education Matters Month As ISAC Launches Fall 2026 Campaign
Free Workshops Available Statewide to Help Students and Families Complete College and Financial Aid Applications
CHICAGO – Governor Pritzker has proclaimed October Education Matters Month in Illinois to coincide with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) announcement of the Education Matters Illinois Fall Campaign, formerly the College Changes Everything™ (CCE) Fall Campaign. From Labor Day through Thanksgiving, ISAC partners with schools and community organizations for an intensive schedule of free college admission and financial aid application completion workshops statewide. While ISAC offers supports year-round to help students and families with exploration of education after high school, and with college and financial aid applications, the fall campaign provides increased offerings to assist students who are simultaneously completing their college and financial aid applications.
“For over 10 years, the CCE Fall Campaign helped make higher education possible for students through the commitment and collaboration of our school and community partners, said ISAC Executive Director Eric Zarnikow. “The Education Matters Fall Campaign will continue that work, meeting students where they are, helping them find the educational path that’s right for them, and helping them get the funding they need to get there.”
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ISAC announced the transition from College Changes Everything to Education Matters in July. Recognizing that the rapidly changing educational landscape requires looking well beyond an end goal of a two- or four-year degree program, Education Matters is a movement that reflects a commitment to supporting a thoughtful evolution through collaboration, innovation, and intentional investment.
Most students planning to attend college or vocational school next year will complete the 2027-28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), the application that determines eligibility for federal, state, and some institutional financial aid to help students pay for a two- or four- year degree or many certificate programs. The FAFSA determines eligibility for federal student loans, but also for money students don’t have to pay back, including scholarships and need-based grants like the federal Pell grant and the Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant.
While most students will complete the FAFSA, the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid offers a pathway for qualifying students who are not eligible for federal aid to apply for state financial aid, like the MAP grant.
Completing a financial aid application can be life-changing: uncovering education options that a student might not otherwise have thought possible or within reach. ISAC’s free resources are available to students and families statewide to help them complete their financial aid application and to support them through the entire college planning process.
Free college and financial aid resources for students and parents
- College and financial aid application completion workshops. Check your high school’s calendar for events at your school, or for free events in your community, visit isac.org/events
- One-on-one assistance with college planning and financial aid applications. Contact your local ISACorps™ member, part of ISAC’s statewide team of near-peer mentors trained to support students with the college and financial aid process, isac.org/isacorps. Or, set up a virtual meeting with an ISAC expert at www.isac.org/booking.
- Online tools like scholarship search, financial aid planning, cost estimators, and more onisac.org.
- Video tips on college-planning, transitioning to college, and more on ISAC’s YouTube page.
- Answers to questions about ISAC financial aid programs, through ISAC’s Student Engagement and Support Services, 800-899-ISAC (4722).
- Support and resources for First Gen students, who will be the first in their family to earn a college degree, through the First Generation Scholars Network. isac.org/FirstGen
ISAC also provides resources to help our partners support their students:
- Education Matters Illinois Campaign support. Downloadable campaign toolkit, materials, swag, and event support. Counselors can find out more and sign up at isac.org/campaign/.
- ISAC’s Financial Aid Application Completion Initiative helps high schools support their students and meet the Illinois financial aid application completion requirement. ISAC’s free service helps counselors identify students who have not filed a financial aid application. This information can then be used by school counselors to help reach students who might not be aware of resources available to make education or training after high school affordable, perhaps helping some decide to attempt college when they might not otherwise have done so. Schools receive Recognition of Excellence honors for reaching financial aid application completion milestones. isac.org/FAFSA-Completion
About ISAC The mission of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) is to provide Illinois students with information and assistance to help make education beyond high school accessible and affordable. ISAC provides comprehensive, objective, and timely information on education and financial aid for students and their families—giving them access to the tools they need to make the educational choices that are right for them. Then, through the state scholarship and grant programs ISAC administers, ISAC can help students make those choices a reality. Find us at isac.org, on Facebook (@ILStudentAssistance), and on X and Instagram @ISACfinaid. Watch our videos on YouTube.
About Education Matters Education Matters Illinois is a new multi-dimensional movement, awareness campaign, and community of practice initiated by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Education matters to students and families because it is the foundation on which opportunity is built—not just for individual students, but also for families and for thriving and resilient communities. Education matters are also at the intersection of nearly every public policy issue in today’s world—from public health to workforce alignment. Join us to engage, innovate, and act. Find out more at isac.org/Education-Matters
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