103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB1606
 
Introduced 2/1/2023, by Rep. Cyril Nichols
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 

 
110 ILCS 947/23 new

     Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to implement and administer a program, beginning with the 2023-2024 academic year, to award  grants to Illinois residents seeking a associate degree, certificate, or diploma from a public community college. Sets forth the terms and conditions of the program. Effective immediately.
  


LRB103 27015 RJT 53382 b

 
 
A BILL FOR
 

  
HB1606LRB103 27015 RJT 53382 b


  
1    AN ACT concerning education.
  
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
3represented in the General Assembly:
  






 
 
4    Section 5. The Higher Education Student Assistance Act is 
5amended  by adding Section 23 as follows:
 
6    (110 ILCS 947/23 new)
7    Sec. 23. Public community college tuition grant program.
8    (a)   The Commission shall implement and administer a 
9program, beginning with the 2023-2024 academic year, to award 
10grants to all eligible Illinois residents seeking a associate 
11degree, certificate, or diploma from a public community 
12college. The following terms and conditions shall apply to the 
13program:
14        (1)   To be eligible for a grant, a student must be 
15    admitted to and enrolled as a Illinois resident in a 
16    public community college.
17        (2)   Students applying for a grant shall complete the 
18    grant application in their initial year of enrollment. 
19    Students shall complete the Free Application for Federal 
20    Student Aid each academic year in which they seek to 
21    receive a grant.
22        (3)   To continue to receive a grant, a student must 
23    maintain Illinois residency.
 
 
HB1606- 2 -LRB103 27015 RJT 53382 b

1        (4)   Each academic year, subject to appropriation, a 
2    grant shall be equal to the cost of tuition and mandatory 
3    fees at the public community college.
4        (5)   A student awarded a grant who has an approved 
5    medical or personal leave of absence from a public 
6    community college may continue to receive the grant upon 
7    resuming the student's education at a public community 
8    college so long as the student continues to meet all 
9    applicable eligibility requirements under this Section and 
10    as adopted by the Commission.
11        (6)   A student is eligible for a grant until the 
12    student has earned an associate degree, certificate, or 
13    diploma from a public community college.
14    (b) The Commission may adopt any rules necessary to 
15implement this Section. 
  
 
16    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 
17becoming law.