HB3371 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB101 10473 AXK 55579 b

101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB3371

Introduced , by Rep. Nicholas K. Smith

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

110 ILCS 947/65.105 new

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Creates a prior academic and work experience scholarship program. Provides that, beginning with the 2020-2021 academic year, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall, each year, receive and consider applications for scholarships under the program. Provides that an applicant is eligible for a scholarship if the Commission finds that the applicant (i) is attending an institution of higher learning that has a student population of no more than 10,000 students, (ii) has previously enrolled in at least 3 different institutions of higher learning, and (iii) has at least 3 years of work experience beginning from the date he or she graduated from high school. Requires the Commission to adopt rules.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

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 Higher Education Student Assistance Act is amended by adding Section 65.105 as follows:

(110 ILCS 947/65.105 new)

Sec. 65.105. Prior academic and work experience scholarship program.

(a) Beginning with the 2020-2021 academic year, the Commission shall, each year, receive and consider applications for scholarships under this Section. An applicant is eligible for a scholarship under this Section if the Commission finds that the applicant meets all of the following qualifications:

(1) He or she is attending an institution of higher learning that has a student population of no more than 10,000 students.

(2) He or she has previously enrolled in at least 3 different institutions of higher learning.

(3) He or she has at least 3 years of work experience beginning from the date he or she graduated from high school.

(b) All applications for assistance under this Section must be made to the Commission on forms that the Commission shall provide. The Commission shall determine the form of application and the information required to be set forth in the application, and the Commission shall require qualified applicants to submit with their applications any supporting documents that the Commission deems necessary.

(c) Applicants who are determined to be eligible for assistance under this Section shall receive, subject to appropriation, a renewable scholarship to be applied to tuition and mandatory fees and paid directly to the institution of higher learning at which the applicant is enrolled. However, the total amount of assistance awarded by the Commission under this Section to an individual in any fiscal year, when added to other financial assistance awarded by the Commission to that individual for that fiscal year, must not exceed the cost of attendance at the institution of higher learning at which the student is enrolled. The Commission may by rule set the academic requirements necessary to maintain participation in the program.

(d) The Commission must adopt rules to implement this Section.