SB1565 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB099 09130 NHT 29325 b

99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
SB1565

Introduced 2/20/2015, by Sen. William E. Brady

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

110 ILCS 947/65.90 new

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to award grants to students in financial need who are enrolled for at least 15 credit hours in an institution of higher learning. Provides that the Commission shall receive funding for the grants through appropriations; the amount to be appropriated for the grant program each fiscal year shall equal the total amount appropriated for higher education from the General Revenue Fund for the 2015 fiscal year; no amounts may be appropriated for higher education from the General Revenue Fund beginning with the 2016 fiscal year other than amounts appropriated for these grants; and the amount of each grant shall equal the amount appropriated for the grant program for a given fiscal year divided by the number of applicants who qualify for a grant. Requires each grant recipient to sign an agreement under which the recipient agrees to the following terms: (1) if a grant recipient graduates from an institution in 4 years or less, he or she must repay one-half of the total amount of grants received; (2) if a grant recipient does not graduate from an institution in 4 years or less, he or she must repay the total amount of grants received; and (3) if the grant recipient resides in this State immediately following graduation from an institution, the Commission shall forgive, for each year of residency, one-eighth of the remaining grant amount owed. Effective immediately.

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 65.90 as follows:

(110 ILCS 947/65.90 new)

Sec. 65.90. Illinois Grant Program.

(a) Beginning with the 2015-2016 academic year, the Commission shall, each year, consider applications for grant assistance under this Section. An applicant is eligible for a grant under this Section if the Commission finds that the applicant meets all of the following qualifications:

(1) He or she is a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen.

(2) He or she is a resident of this State or, if a dependent for income tax purposes, the parent whose information is used on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is a resident of this State. State residency shall be determined by the filing of a State income tax return.

(3) If a male, he has complied with federal Selective Service registration requirements.

(4) He or she has not been incarcerated.

(5) He or she is enrolled, for at least 15 credit hours, in an institution of higher learning and has not earned a bachelor's degree yet. A grant recipient must submit proof to the Commission each semester that he or she is still enrolled in the institution of higher learning.

(6) He or she demonstrates financial need, as determined by the Commission.

(7) He or she maintains satisfactory academic progress, as determined by the institution.

(8) He or she is not in default on any educational loan or does not owe a refund on any State or federal educational grant.

(b) Each year the Commission shall award grants under this Section among applicants qualified pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section. The Commission shall receive funding for the grants through appropriations. The amount to be appropriated for the grant program each fiscal year shall equal the total amount appropriated for higher education from the General Revenue Fund for the 2015 fiscal year. No amounts may be appropriated for higher education from the General Revenue Fund beginning with the 2016 fiscal year other than amounts appropriated for the purposes of this Section. The amount of each grant shall equal the amount appropriated for the grant program for a given fiscal year divided by the number of applicants who qualify for a grant.

(c) The total amount of grant assistance awarded by the Commission under this Section to an individual in any given fiscal year, when added to other financial assistance awarded to that individual for that year, shall not exceed the cost of attendance at the institution at which the student is enrolled.

(d) Payment of any grant under this Section shall be determined by the Commission. All grant funds distributed in accordance with this Section shall be paid to the institution on behalf of the recipients. Grant funds are applicable toward tuition for 2 semesters or 3 quarters of enrollment within an academic year.

(e) Prior to receiving grant assistance for any academic year, each recipient of a grant under this Section shall be required by the Commission to sign an agreement under which the recipient agrees to the following terms:

(1) If a grant recipient graduates from an institution in 4 years or less, he or she must repay one-half of the total amount of grants received under this Section.

(2) If a grant recipient does not graduate from an institution in 4 years or less, he or she must repay the total amount of grants received under this Section.

(3) If the grant recipient resides in this State immediately following graduation from an institution, the Commission shall forgive, for each year of residency, one-eighth of the remaining grant amount owed.

Each recipient shall, upon request of the Commission, provide the Commission with evidence that he or she is fulfilling or has fulfilled the terms of the agreement provided for in this subsection (e).

The Commission is authorized to establish rules relating to its collection activities for repayment of grants under this Section, including the imposition of reasonable collection fees.

(f) A recipient of a grant under this Section is not in violation of the agreement entered into pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section if the recipient (i) is serving as a member of the armed services of the United States; (ii) is enrolled in a graduate program following graduation from an institution; (iii) is temporarily totally disabled, as established by sworn affidavit of a qualified physician; or (iii) cannot fulfill the obligation due to his or her death, disability, or incompetency, as established by sworn affidavit of a qualified physician. No claim for repayment may be filed against the estate of such a decedent or incompetent. Any extension of the period during which the obligation must be fulfilled is subject to limitations of duration as established by the Commission.

(h) The Commission shall administer the grant program established by this Section and shall make all necessary and proper rules not inconsistent with this Section for its effective implementation.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.