HR0862 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0862 LRB103 41320 LAW 74538 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the Illinois Student Assistance Corps (ISACorps) on the occasion of its 15th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, ISACorps members are recent college graduates who are trained to help students overcome barriers to education and training beyond high school; and

WHEREAS, ISACorps members support students and their families as they explore and navigate postsecondary choices, apply to college, and seek financial aid and other resources; and

WHEREAS, The ISACorps provides direct services statewide, ensuring that one-on-one help is in reach no matter where students live or what other resources their school districts are able to provide; and

WHEREAS, The majority of ISACorps members have been the first in their families to have completed college and have lived or attended school in the area where they work, and this racially and geographically diverse group includes graduates from across the spectrum of Illinois colleges and universities and various academic paths; and

WHEREAS, ISACorps alumni have advanced to work in policy positions, as practitioners, as employees and leaders, and in other important roles in educational institutions, community organizations, research and advocacy groups, and government; as a result, the organization has not only helped high school students directly but has also helped to establish a more representative face on education and public service in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The first ISACorps cohort began training 15 years ago in June 2009; since then, its members have served tens of thousands of Illinois students each year through financial aid presentations, FAFSA completion workshops, mentoring, and one-on-one assistance; and

WHEREAS, The ISACorps have not only served high school students but have provided interventions at high-need middle schools under a federal GEAR UP grant, supported new college students through the First-Generation Scholars Network, and aided older students through community outreach, building and supporting services for regions and individuals that would otherwise have limited access to college access programs and support systems; and

WHEREAS, Complications with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2024-25 have highlighted the importance of personal assistance to ensure that Illinois families receive the financial assistance that they need to reach students' educational goals; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Illinois Student Assistance Corps (ISACorps) on its 15th anniversary, and we extend our gratitude to its members for their efforts to ensure that Illinois students and families have access to the transformational potential of education and training beyond high school.