HB0460 EngrossedLRB104 04328 LNS 14353 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 or a noncitizen 
13student who has not obtained lawful permanent residence, shall 
14be eligible for State financial aid and benefits as described 
15in subsection (b).
16    (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the 
17contrary, a student who is an Illinois resident (i) is 
18eligible to apply or receive consideration for any student aid 
19or benefit funded or administered by the State or , any State 
20agency, offered by a unit of local government, or administered 
21by any public institution of higher learning, including, but 
22not limited to, scholarships, grants, awards, stipends, room 
23and board assistance, tuition waivers, or other financial or 
 
 
HB0460 Engrossed- 2 -LRB104 04328 LNS 14353 b

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