Commission Announces 2011-12 Illinois State Scholar Honorees

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) recognized 17,335 students from 749 different high schools from across the state as 2011-12 Illinois State Scholars.

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in the top ten percent of high school seniors. Selection is based on SAT, ACT and/or Prairie State Achievement Exam scores, and/or class rank at the end of the junior year. For a complete listing of every State Scholar by county and high school visit the agency's collegezone.com website at www.collegezone.com/407_11520.htm.

"Excellent high school grades are tremendously important for laying the groundwork for future college success," said ISAC Executive Director Andrew Davis. "Illinois State Scholars are the best and the brightest in our state's high schools, and we salute them, their families and their teachers on this achievement."

While the prestigious recognition does not include a monetary award, recipients are encouraged to cite the honor on applications for college admission and scholarships in addition to completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after January 1 to determine eligibility for federal and state aid, including Illinois' $400 million need-based Monetary Award Program (MAP).

"Make sure to include this prestigious honor on your college applications, and be sure to submit test scores, letters of recommendation and other application materials on time," Davis concluded.  "Find the right fit to give yourself the best chance at college success. Visit KnowHow2GoIllinois.org for resources to help you plan for your future and find money to pay for college."

Originally formed as the Illinois State Scholarship Commission in 1957, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission provides students of all ages and backgrounds with the resources and support to obtain financial aid for higher education. A state agency, ISAC has paved the path to post-secondary education with innovative programs for over 50 years. More than a half million Illinois State Scholars have been recognized by ISAC since the program's inception.

A state agency, ISAC has paved the path to post-secondary education with innovative programs for over 50 years. The commission continued its mission to make college accessible and affordable for Illinois students by administering over 183,000 grants and scholarships totaling over $430 million in FY2009 alone. 

The Commission provides educational funding via numerous programs such as the Monetary Award Program (MAP), the Illinois Veteran Grant and College Illinois!® Prepaid Tuition Program. Students and families have free access to a wealth of financial aid and college planning information at ISAC's family of websites available at www.KnowHow2GOIllinois.org and www.529prepaidtuition.org.