102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB5208

 

Introduced 1/31/2022, by Rep. Edgar Gonzalez, Jr.

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
110 ILCS 986/15

    Amends the Retention of Illinois Students and Equity Act. Provides that a noncitizen graduate student who does not possess a valid visa or status as a lawful permanent resident is eligible for State financial aid and benefits.


LRB102 25360 CMG 34640 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB5208LRB102 25360 CMG 34640 b

1    AN ACT concerning education.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Retention of Illinois Students and Equity
5Act is amended by changing Section 15 as follows:
 
6    (110 ILCS 986/15)
7    Sec. 15. Equitable eligibility for financial aid and
8benefits.
9    (a) A student who is an Illinois resident and who is not
10otherwise eligible for federal financial aid, including, but
11not limited to, a transgender student who is disqualified for
12failure to register for selective service, a noncitizen
13graduate student who does not possess a valid visa or status as
14a lawful permanent resident, or a noncitizen student who has
15not obtained lawful permanent residence, shall be eligible for
16State financial aid and benefits as described in subsection
17(b).
18    (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the
19contrary, a student who is an Illinois resident (i) is
20eligible to apply or receive consideration for any student aid
21or benefit funded or administered by the State, any State
22agency, or any public institution of higher learning,
23including, but not limited to, scholarships, grants, awards,

 

 

HB5208- 2 -LRB102 25360 CMG 34640 b

1stipends, room and board assistance, tuition waivers, or other
2financial or in-kind assistance and (ii) to ensure equity,
3success, and the retention of Illinois residents, may not be
4subject to any caps on grant assistance available under the
5Monetary Award Program other than those required by State law.
6    (c) The eligibility requirements under this Section for
7any student aid or benefit funded or administered by the State
8shall be interpreted to promote the broadest eligibility for
9students who are Illinois residents in accordance with State
10law or policy.
11    (d) Nothing in this Section shall be construed as
12modifying any eligibility requirements regarding academic
13standing or personal or household income for any State
14financial aid program.
15    (e) The General Assembly finds and declares that this
16Section is a State law within the meaning of subsection (d) of
17Section 1621 of Title 8 of the United States Code.
18(Source: P.A. 101-21, eff. 1-1-20.)