HB5500 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB096 19434 NHT 34826 b

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
HB5500

Introduced 2/5/2010, by Rep. Mike Boland

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

110 ILCS 947/65.90 new

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall, each year, consider applications for scholarship assistance under the Challenge Scholarship program. Provides that an applicant is eligible for a Challenge Scholarship if the parent or guardian of the applicant signs a pledge while the student is in grade 8 that the student will maintain at least a "C" grade average during high school, and the applicant maintains that grade average; and the applicant has not been suspended or expelled or acquired a police record during high school for certain offenses. Provides that an applicant who complies with these requirements shall receive a scholarship to cover tuition for 30 semester hours at a public community college. 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. Challenge Scholarship program.

(a) Subject to appropriation, the Commission shall, each year, consider applications for scholarship assistance under this Section.

(b) An applicant is eligible for a Challenge Scholarship under this Section if the applicant complies with the following requirements:

(1) The parent or guardian of the applicant must sign a pledge while the student is in grade 8 that the student will maintain at least a "C" grade average during high school, which pledge must be filed with the Commission, and the applicant must maintain at least a "C" grade average during high school.

(2) The applicant must not have any suspensions or expulsions during high school or acquire a police record for any of the following:

(A) violent behavior;

(B) thievery;

(C) gang membership; or

(D) drug or alcohol abuse.

(c) An applicant who complies with the requirements of subsection (b) of this Section shall receive a scholarship to cover tuition for 30 semester hours at a public community college in this State.

(d) The Commission shall adopt those rules that are necessary for the implementation and administration of this Section.

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