HB4406eng 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB4406 Engrossed LRB094 16250 NHT 51494 b

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 65.75 as follows:

(110 ILCS 947/65.75 new)

Sec. 65.75. Grants for children raised by grandparents. A person is eligible for a renewable $1,000 grant for each year he or she is enrolled full-time at an institution of higher learning, which must be used towards the payment of tuition and mandatory fees, if, at the time of initial application for the grant, he or she meets the following qualifications:

(1) The person is in the legal custody of his or her grandparent and receives public aid assistance under the Illinois Public Aid Code.

(2) The person has graduated from high school with a cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.7 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent.

(3) The person has been recommended for the grant by the principal or other comparable administrative officer of his or her high school.

As a condition of grant renewal, the person must provide the Commission with a recommendation for the grant by an academic counselor, advisor, or instructor at the institution of higher learning.

Grants awarded under this Section shall be administered by and paid out of funds available to the Commission. The Commission may adopt any rules necessary to carry out its responsibilities under this Section.