HB4725 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 38820 RJT 68957 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB4725

Introduced 2/6/2024, 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 is an Illinois resident but who does not possess a valid visa or status as a lawful permanent resident is eligible for State financial aid and benefits.

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 Retention of Illinois Students and Equity Act is amended by changing Section 15 as follows:

(110 ILCS 986/15)

Sec. 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, a noncitizen graduate student who does not possess a valid visa or status as a lawful permanent resident, 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.

(Source: P.A. 101-21, eff. 1-1-20.)