HB2806 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 08165 LNS 18213 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB2806

Introduced 2/6/2025, by Rep. Tony M. McCombie

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

30 ILCS 105/5.1030 new
110 ILCS 947/65.122 new

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall establish, implement, and administer a STEM Opportunity Scholarship Program, using funds appropriated from the STEM Opportunity Scholarship Program Fund, for the purpose of offering scholarships to young women pursuing degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at public universities in this State. Sets forth provisions concerning eligibility, preference and priority, the assistance awarded, funding, and rulemaking. Creates the STEM Opportunity Scholarship Program Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Makes a corresponding change in the State Finance Act.

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 5.1030 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.1030 new)

Sec. 5.1030. The STEM Opportunity Scholarship Program Fund.

Section 10. The Higher Education Student Assistance Act is amended by adding Section 65.122 as follows:

(110 ILCS 947/65.122 new)

Sec. 65.122. STEM Opportunity Scholarship Program.

(a) The Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall establish, implement, and administer a STEM Opportunity Scholarship Program, using funds appropriated from the STEM Opportunity Scholarship Program Fund, for the purpose of offering scholarships to young women pursuing degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at public universities in this State.

(b) The Commission shall, on an annual basis, receive and consider applications for scholarship assistance under the Program. An applicant is eligible for a scholarship under the Program if the Commission finds that the applicant meets all of the following criteria:

(1) The applicant is a woman and a resident of this State.

(2) The applicant is enrolled in a public university in this State on at least a part-time basis.

(c) When selecting scholarship recipients from amounts available for eligible applicants, the Commission shall give first preference to previous recipients of a scholarship under the Program, as long as the recipient continues to meet the eligibility requirements set forth in subsection (b) and maintains satisfactory academic progress, as determined by the public university at which the recipient is enrolled. In considering new recipients, the Commission shall prioritize funding for students with financial need, as determined by the Commission.

(d) The total amount of scholarship assistance awarded by the Commission under this Section to an eligible applicant in any given fiscal year, when added to other financial assistance awarded to that individual for that year, may not exceed the cost of attendance at the public university at which the individual is enrolled. If the amount of financial assistance to be awarded to a qualified student exceeds the cost of attendance at the public university at which the student is enrolled, the scholarship awarded under this Section shall be reduced by an amount equal to the amount by which the combined financial assistance available to the student exceeds the cost of attendance.

(e) The STEM Opportunity Scholarship Program 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 the purposes of this Section.

(f) Funding for the Program is subject to appropriation. Additional contributions from private entities, philanthropic organizations, or federal grants may supplement the Program.

(g) The Commission shall make all necessary and proper rules not inconsistent with this Section for its effective implementation, with the guidance and assistance of public universities in this State.