SB3242 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB096 20470 MJR 36125 b

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
SB3242

Introduced 2/9/2010, by Sen. Martin A. Sandoval

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

30 ILCS 105/5.755 new
110 ILCS 947/65.90 new

Amends the State Finance Act to create the Higher Education Revolving Loan Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that all repayments of loans under the amendatory provisions shall be deposited into the Fund. Provides that all money in the Fund shall be used, subject to appropriation, by the Commission for making loans under the amendatory provisions. Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, subject to appropriation, to implement and administer a higher education revolving loan program to provide loans to eligible students for the costs of attending an institution of higher learning in this State. Provides that the loans must be offered at a low interest rate to be determined by the Commission. Provides that an individual may not receive loans in excess of $5,000 or the student's tuition and mandatory fees, whichever is less, per academic year. Provides that loan funds must be paid directly to the institution of higher learning. Provides that the repayment period for a loan may not exceed 15 years. Contains other provisions concerning repayment.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

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

Section 5. The State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.755 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.755 new)

Sec. 5.755. The Higher Education Revolving Loan Fund.

Section 10. The Higher Education Student Assistance Act is amended by adding Section 65.90 as follows:

(110 ILCS 947/65.90 new)

Sec. 65.90. Higher education revolving loans.

(a) In this Section, "eligible student" means a student enrolled at the undergraduate level at an institution of higher learning who (i) if the student has not yet completed one term at an institution of higher learning, had a 3.0 cumulative grade point average or its equivalent after graduating from an approved high school or (ii) if the student has completed at least one term at an institution of higher learning, has a 3.0 post-secondary cumulative grade point average or its equivalent. The student must also be an Illinois resident. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Commission shall deem an individual an Illinois resident, until the individual establishes a residence outside of this State, if all of the following conditions are met:

(1) The individual resided with his or her parent or guardian while attending a public or private high school in this State.

(2) The individual graduated from a public or private high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in this State.

(3) The individual attended school in this State for at least 3 years as of the date the individual graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma.

(4) In the case of an individual who is not a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States, the individual provides the Commission with an affidavit stating that the individual will file an application to become a permanent resident of the United States at the earliest opportunity the individual is eligible to do so.

(b) The Commission shall, subject to appropriation, implement and administer a higher education revolving loan program to provide loans to eligible students, as defined in this Act and as determined by the Commission, for the costs of attending an institution of higher learning in this State. These loans must be offered at a low interest rate to be determined by the Commission, taking into account in its deliberations both program sustainability and affordability for loan recipients.

(c) An individual may not receive loans under this Section in excess of $5,000 or the student's tuition and mandatory fees, whichever is less, per academic year. Loan funds must be paid directly to the institution of higher learning.

(d) The repayment period for a loan made under this Section may not exceed 15 years. A person who receives a loan under this Section shall begin repaying the loan beginning 6 months after the person no longer attends an institution of higher learning. The loan recipient shall repay at a minimum 5% of the principal each year or the remaining balance of the loan. Additionally, in each month, the loan recipient shall repay a minimum of $50 or the remaining balance of the loan. All repayments of loans shall be deposited into the Higher Education Revolving Loan Fund.

(e) The Higher Education Revolving Loan Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. All money in the Fund shall be used, subject to appropriation, by the Commission for making loans under this Section. The Fund shall consist of any moneys transferred or appropriated into the Fund, as well as all repayments of loans made under the higher education revolving loan program. The Fund shall be used for the purposes of this Section and for no other purpose. All interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall be deposited into the Fund.

(f) The Commission shall adopt any rules necessary to implement and administer this Section.