Illinois Quick Hits: FAFSA applications rise with increase in state taxpayer funding

(The Center Square) – According to the National College Attainment Network’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid Tracker for the Class of 2026, Illinois ranked second in the nation with 71.9% of students completing financial aid applications.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission and its partners conducted almost 3,400 FAFSA outreach events and held more than 12,230 financial aid workshops during the school year. The ISAC’s budget appropriation for fiscal year 2027 includes $8.36 million for agency outreach and research and $9.0 million for operations, a 6.6% increase over fiscal year 2026.

The Illinois FAFSA Mandate requires every Illinois public high school student to complete a financial aid application or submit a waiver as part of their graduation requirements.

STATE ENHANCES SENIOR FARMERS MARKET VOUCHERS

The Illinois Department on Aging and the Illinois Department of Human Services are offering enhanced Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers for inco...