Kankakee Times

Illinois’ college access and financial aid agency, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), is slated to receive an award for its innovative student portal that aids students who are planning for education and related financing.

 

The 2016 Digital Government Achievement Award (DGAA) will go to the commission for its citizen-focused application. The ISAC Student Portal will claim its award in the category of Government-to-Citizen State and Federal Government in a New Orleans-based ceremony on Sept. 30, when four additional winners from Florida, New York, California and the U.S. Department of Commerce will also be honored.

 

“It is a tremendous honor to receive this award,” Eric Zarnikow, ISAC’s executive director, said. “Our vision was to create a solution that would offer free best-in-class external resources as well as agency-developed tools to give students and families across the state access to the tools they need to make more informed choices about college, financial aid, and careers. It is an ongoing collaborative effort with the agency and with our external partners, and we are thrilled to be recognized for it.”

 

The free online venue is optimized for both desktop and mobile device use. It offers tools to assist students and their families with planning, financial aid, student loans and budgeting. Additionally, the portal links to parallel sites — College Greenlight and Illinois workNet — which offer more in-depth resources.

 

Hardik Bhatt, CIO of the State of Illinois and secretary designate of the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology, praised the ISAC team, saying it “created a big win for Illinois students with the ISAC Student Portal, and … a shining example of the new wave of innovation and collaboration … to increase access to some of the best available tools and resources for our citizens.”