Public Act 101-0180
 
HB2719 EnrolledLRB101 06615 AXK 51642 b


  
    AN ACT concerning education.
  
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
represented in the General Assembly:
  


 
    Section 5. The School Code is amended  by adding Section 
22-85 as follows:
 
    (105 ILCS 5/22-85 new)
    Sec. 22-85. Graduation requirements; Free Application for 
Federal Student Aid. 
    (a) Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, in addition 
to any other requirements under this Code, as a prerequisite to 
receiving a high school diploma from a public high school, the 
parent or guardian of each student or, if a student is at least 
18 years of age or  legally emancipated, the student must comply 
with either of the following:
        (1) File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid 
    with the United States Department of Education or, if 
    applicable, an application for State financial aid.
        (2) On a form created by the State Board of Education, 
    file a waiver with the student's school district indicating 
    that the parent or guardian or, if applicable, the student 
    understands what the Free Application for Federal Student 
    Aid and application for State financial aid are and has 
    chosen not to file an application under paragraph (1).
    (b) Each school district with a high school must require 
each high school student to comply with this Section and must 
provide to each high school student and, if applicable, his or 
her parent or guardian any support or assistance necessary to 
comply with this Section. A school district must award a high 
school diploma to a student who is unable to meet the 
requirements of subsection (a) due to extenuating 
circumstances, as determined by the school district, if (i) the 
student has met all other graduation requirements under this 
Code and (ii) the principal attests that the school district 
has made a good faith effort to assist the student or, if 
applicable, his or her parent or guardian in filing an 
application or a waiver under subsection (a).
    (c)  The State Board of Education may adopt rules to 
implement this Section.


Effective Date:  6/1/2020