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| Public Act 101-0021 | ||||
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AN ACT concerning education.
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Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
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represented in the General Assembly:
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Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the | ||||
Retention of Illinois Students and Equity Act. | ||||
Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly makes all of the | ||||
following findings: | ||||
(1) The State of Illinois is committed to ensuring that | ||||
all students who are residents of this State have | ||||
meaningful and equitable access to higher educational | ||||
opportunities notwithstanding the student's race, color, | ||||
gender or gender identity, age, ancestry, marital status, | ||||
military status, religion, pregnancy, national origin, | ||||
disability status, sexual orientation, order of protection | ||||
status, as defined under Section 1-103 of the Illinois | ||||
Human Rights Act, or immigration status. | ||||
(2) The State of Illinois is committed to ensuring that | ||||
students who may not have had the same educational | ||||
opportunities are not penalized as they seek to achieve | ||||
higher education. | ||||
(3) The State of Illinois is committed to ensuring the | ||||
success and retention of African American students by | ||||
safeguarding equitable access to educational funding and | ||||
eliminating systemic barriers. | ||
(4) Lifting any caps on the Monetary Award Program, | ||
other than those required by State law, will have a | ||
positive impact on the retention and equity of African | ||
American students and other students of color who are | ||
disproportionately impacted by the lack of access to | ||
resources in completing their postsecondary education. | ||
(5) The State of Illinois is committed to retaining | ||
Illinois students who wish to attend institutions of higher | ||
learning in this State by addressing financial barriers for | ||
those students. | ||
Section 10. Definition. In this Act, "Illinois resident" | ||
includes any person who is deemed an Illinois resident for | ||
tuition purposes under State law. | ||
Section 15. Equitable eligibility for financial aid and | ||
benefits. | ||
(a) A student who is an Illinois resident and who is not | ||
otherwise eligible for federal financial aid, including, but | ||
not limited to, a transgender student who is disqualified for | ||
failure to register for selective service or a noncitizen | ||
student who has not obtained lawful permanent residence, shall | ||
be eligible for State financial aid and benefits as described | ||
in subsection (b). | ||
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the | ||
contrary, a student who is an Illinois resident (i) is eligible | ||
to apply or receive consideration for any student aid or | ||
benefit funded or administered by the State, any State agency, | ||
or any public institution of higher learning, including, but | ||
not limited to, scholarships, grants, awards, stipends, room | ||
and board assistance, tuition waivers, or other financial or | ||
in-kind assistance and (ii) to ensure equity, success, and the | ||
retention of Illinois residents, may not be subject to any caps | ||
on grant assistance available under the Monetary Award Program | ||
other than those required by State law. | ||
(c) The eligibility requirements under this Section for any | ||
student aid or benefit funded or administered by the State | ||
shall be interpreted to promote the broadest eligibility for | ||
students who are Illinois residents in accordance with State | ||
law or policy. | ||
(d) Nothing in this Section shall be construed as modifying | ||
any eligibility requirements regarding academic standing or | ||
personal or household income for any State financial aid | ||
program. | ||
(e) The General Assembly finds and declares that this | ||
Section is a State law within the meaning of subsection (d) of | ||
Section 1621 of Title 8 of the United States Code. | ||
Section 97. Severability. The provisions of this Act are | ||
severable under Section 1.31 of the Statute on Statutes.
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