103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB4725
 
Introduced 2/6/2024, by Rep. Edgar Gonzalez, Jr.
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
110 ILCS 986/15
    Amends the Retention of Illinois Students and Equity Act. Provides that a noncitizen graduate student who is an Illinois resident but who does not possess a valid visa or status as a lawful permanent resident is eligible for State financial aid and benefits.


LRB103 38820 RJT 68957 b

 
 
A BILL FOR
 
HB4725LRB103 38820 RJT 68957 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 Retention of Illinois Students and Equity 
5Act is amended by changing Section 15 as follows:
 
6    (110 ILCS 986/15)
7    Sec. 15. Equitable eligibility for financial aid and 
8benefits. 
9    (a) A student who is an Illinois resident and who is not 
10otherwise eligible for federal financial aid, including, but 
11not limited to, a transgender student who is disqualified for 
12failure to register for selective service, a noncitizen 
13graduate student who does not possess a valid visa or status as 
14a lawful permanent resident, or a noncitizen student who has 
15not obtained lawful permanent residence, shall be eligible for 
16State financial aid and benefits as described in subsection 
17(b).
18    (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the 
19contrary, a student who is an Illinois resident (i) is 
20eligible to apply or receive consideration for any student aid 
21or benefit funded or administered by the State, any State 
22agency, or any public institution of higher learning, 
23including, but not limited to, scholarships, grants, awards, 
 
 
HB4725- 2 -LRB103 38820 RJT 68957 b

1stipends, room and board assistance, tuition waivers, or other 
2financial or in-kind assistance and (ii) to ensure equity, 
3success, and the retention of Illinois residents, may not be 
4subject to any caps on grant assistance available under the 
5Monetary Award Program other than those required by State law.
6    (c) The eligibility requirements under this Section for 
7any student aid or benefit funded or administered by the State 
8shall be interpreted to promote the broadest eligibility for 
9students who are Illinois residents in accordance with State 
10law or policy.
11    (d) Nothing in this Section shall be construed as 
12modifying any eligibility requirements regarding academic 
13standing or personal or household income for any State 
14financial aid program.
15    (e) The General Assembly finds and declares that this 
16Section is a State law within the meaning of subsection (d) of 
17Section 1621 of Title 8 of the United States Code.
18(Source: P.A. 101-21, eff. 1-1-20.)