TITLE 23: EDUCATION AND CULTURAL RESOURCES
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AUTHORITY: Implementing Section 31 and authorized by Section 31(h) of the Higher Education Student Assistance Act [110 ILCS 947/31 and 31(h)].
SOURCE: Adopted at 9 Ill. Reg. 10277, effective July 5, 1985; amended at 9 Ill. Reg. 20849, effective January 1, 1986; amended at 11 Ill. Reg. 3220, effective January 29, 1987; amended at 11 Ill. Reg. 14127, effective August 10, 1987; amended at 12 Ill. Reg. 11543, effective July 1, 1988; transferred from Chapter IX, 23 Ill. Adm. Code 1761 (State Scholarship Commission) to Chapter XIX, 23 Ill. Adm. Code 2761 (Illinois Student Assistance Commission) pursuant to P.A. 86-168, effective July 1, 1989, at 13 Ill. Reg. 17863; amended at 14 Ill. Reg. 10578, effective July 1, 1990; amended at 16 Ill. Reg. 11290, effective July 1, 1992; amended at 17 Ill. Reg. 10579, effective July 1, 1993; amended at 18 Ill. Reg. 10318, effective July 1, 1994; amended at 20 Ill. Reg. 9215, effective July 1, 1996; old Part repealed and new Part adopted at 21 Ill. Reg. 11166, effective July 18, 1997; amended at 22 Ill. Reg. 11135, effective July 1, 1998; amended at 23 Ill. Reg. 7587, effective July 1, 1999; amended at 24 Ill. Reg. 9176, effective July 1, 2000; amended at 30 Ill. Reg. 11674, effective July 1, 2006.
Section 2761.10 Summary and Purpose
a) The Merit Recognition Scholarship (MRS) Program encourages and rewards the distinguished academic achievement of Illinois high school graduates, without regard to financial need. The scholarship is a $1000 award which must be used for enrollment at an institution of higher learning or any service academy. The names and addresses of MRS recipients are a matter of public record.
b) This Part establishes rules which govern the MRS Program. Additional rules and definitions are contained in General Provisions, 23 Ill. Adm. Code 2700.
(Source: Amended at 30 Ill. Reg. 11674, effective July 1, 2006)
Section 2761.20 Applicant Eligibility
a) A qualified applicant shall:
1) be due to graduate from an Illinois high school by the end of the academic year;
2) have earned a cumulative grade point average at or above the 95th percentile of his or her high school class by the end of the third semester prior to graduation from high school (normally the sixth semester), or have achieved a score on the ACT Assessment examination or SAT I: Reasoning Test, taken during the third or fourth semester prior to graduation, which is at or above the 95th percentile of students in the State who have taken the test during that same time period.
A) A student may take either or both examinations during the designated period.
B) All scores from such tests taken during the designated period must be submitted to ISAC.
C) If a student submits scores from multiple examinations taken during the designated period, ISAC will use the highest score.
D) When a student submits scores to ISAC, the student must report his or her academic level at the time the test was taken.
E) ISAC will accept supplementary score reports of tests taken during the designated period upon the student's authorization to the test service. Such authorization by the student must be received by ISAC before August 1.
F) Students who, for any reason, are unable to take a test on a regular testing date should make special arrangements to be tested in accordance with the procedures of the testing service. Any such special arrangements must take into account the test score submission deadlines;
3) be in good academic standing;
4) be a resident of Illinois;
5) be a United States citizen or permanent resident of the United States; and
6) enroll, on at least a half-time basis, at an institution of higher learning or service academy as an undergraduate student or cadet.
b) A qualified applicant shall not have already received a baccalaureate degree.
(Source: Amended at 24 Ill. Reg. 9176, effective July 1, 2000)