SB3703 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 38234 RJT 68368 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB3703

Introduced 2/9/2024, by Sen. Paul Faraci

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

110 ILCS 947/65.125 new

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall establish a nursing student stipend program to reimburse eligible applicants for the pre-licensure nursing program cost incurred during the previous academic year from a baccalaureate degree nursing program. Sets forth provisions concerning application for a stipend, the amount of the stipend, the pre-licensure nursing program cost, the distribution of funds, information on the stipend program, and rulemaking. Effective July 1, 2025.

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 65.125 as follows:

(110 ILCS 947/65.125 new)

Sec. 65.125. Nursing student stipend program.

(a) In this Section:

"Baccalaureate degree nursing program" means a pre-licensure nursing program or an accelerated nursing program that is offered by an institution of higher learning and leads to a baccalaureate degree of science in nursing.

"Eligible applicant" means a person who:

(1) is a resident of this State and a citizen or eligible noncitizen of the United States;

(2) was enrolled in a baccalaureate degree nursing program during the previous academic year;

(3) maintained satisfactory academic progress during the previous academic year; and

(4) applies for a nursing student stipend under this Section within the application period established by the Commission.

"Pre-licensure nursing program cost" means the fees for all of the following: a criminal background check and drug screening, a physical examination, required immunizations, a uniform and any other required clothing, a stethoscope, blood pressure equipment, scissors, a hemostat, a nursing student identification badge, cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing's NCLEX application, a criminal background check for the NCLEX, applications, or licenses or any other costs required to complete a clinical program in a baccalaureate degree nursing program, as determined by the Commission. The Commission may adopt rules regarding which products are included under this definition.

"Program" means the nursing student stipend program established under this Section.

(b) Subject to appropriation, beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, the Commission shall establish a nursing student stipend program to reimburse eligible applicants for the pre-licensure nursing program cost incurred during the previous academic year from a baccalaureate degree nursing program. The Commission shall, on an annual basis, receive and consider applications for nursing student stipends under the program and provide a nursing student stipend to each eligible applicant in the following amounts:

(1) An eligible applicant who was a part-time student during the previous academic year shall receive a stipend in the amount of 5% of the pre-licensure nursing program cost for the previous academic year and an additional $50 to assist with travel expenses incurred to and from clinical components during the previous academic year.

(2) An eligible applicant who was a full-time student during the previous academic year shall receive a stipend in the amount of 7.5% of the pre-licensure nursing program cost for the previous academic year and an additional $100 to assist with travel expenses incurred to and from clinical components during the previous academic year.

(3) An eligible applicant who, during the previous academic year, completed a baccalaureate degree nursing program in one year or less after initially enrolling in the nursing program shall receive a stipend in the amount of 15% of the pre-licensure nursing program cost for the previous academic year and an additional $200 to assist with travel expenses incurred to and from clinical components during the previous academic year.

(c) On an annual basis, as determined by the Commission, an institution of higher learning shall report the pre-licensure nursing program cost of the baccalaureate degree nursing program for the previous academic year. The Commission shall determine, based on the reported pre-licensure nursing program cost, how much an eligible applicant shall receive under the program.

(d) An application for a nursing student stipend under the program shall be made to the Commission on forms that the Commission shall provide to an eligible applicant. The form of application and the information required shall be determined by the Commission, and the Commission shall require an eligible applicant to submit with the application any supporting documents or recommendations that the Commission deems necessary.

(e) Subject to appropriation for such purposes, the payment method for the nursing student stipend under this Section shall be determined by the Commission. Any nursing student stipend funds distributed in accordance with the program shall be given to the recipient of the nursing student stipend.

(f) An eligible applicant applying as a part-time student may apply for and receive a nursing student stipend under the program for up to 6 semesters or 12 quarters. An eligible applicant applying as a full-time student may apply for and receive a nursing student stipend under the program for up to 4 semesters or 8 quarters.

(g) An institution of higher learning with a baccalaureate degree in nursing program shall provide information on the institution of higher learning's Internet website that informs both current and prospective pre-licensure nursing students about the program.

(h) The Commission may adopt any rules necessary to implement and administer this Section.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2025.