Public Act 1299 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB3699 Enrolled LRB096 20561 MJR 36249 b

Public Act 096-1299

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Community College Transfer Grant Program Act.

Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Commission" means the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

"Grant" means the amount of financial assistance awarded under this Act.

"Institution of higher education" means a public or private not-for-profit institution that is an "institution of higher learning" as defined in the Higher Education Student Assistance Act and that offers baccalaureate degrees.

"Student" means an undergraduate student who is entitled to in-state tuition charges.

Section 10. Community College Transfer Grant Program created; adoption of rules. There is created the Community College Transfer Grant Program to provide financial assistance to eligible students, subject to appropriation, for the costs of attending a public or private institution of higher education in this State. Funds must be paid to institutions of higher education on behalf of students who have been awarded financial assistance pursuant to Section 15 of this Act. The Commission shall adopt rules for the implementation of the provisions of this Act and the disbursement of funds consistent therewith and appropriate to the administration of the program.

Section 15. Eligibility criteria.

(a) Under the Community College Transfer Grant Program, grants must be made on behalf of students who are residents of this State and who meet all of the following qualifications:

(1) Have received an associate's degree at a public community college located in this State.

(2) Have enrolled in an institution of higher education located in this State by the fall semester following the award of the associate's degree.

(3) Have applied for financial aid, including completing and submitting a free application for federal student aid.

(4) Have financial need, defined as an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of no more than $9,000 as calculated by the federal government using the family's financial information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

Only students who maintained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent while enrolled in an associate's degree program at a public community college located in this State are eligible to receive a grant under this Act.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Commission shall consider an applicant eligible for a grant under this Section if the Commission finds that the applicant is (i) a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen and (ii) a resident of this State.

(c) Eligibility for a grant under the Community College Transfer Grant Program is limited to 2 academic years or 60 credit hours and must be used only for undergraduate collegiate work.

To remain eligible for a grant under this program, a student must continue to demonstrate financial need, as defined in this Section, maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent, and make satisfactory academic progress towards a degree.

Section 20. Amount of award. The amount of the grant under this Act for an eligible student is subject to appropriation and is fixed at $1,000 per year. Students pursuing undergraduate collegiate work in engineering, mathematics, nursing, teaching, or science are eligible for an additional $1,000 grant.

Section 25. State financial aid eligibility. Tuition assistance received by a student under the Community College Transfer Grant Program must not be reduced by the receipt of other financial aid from any source by the student. However, a student may not receive a grant pursuant to this Act that, when added to other financial aid received by that student, would enable the student to receive total assistance in excess of the estimated cost to the student of attending the institution in which he or she is enrolled.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2010.