100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
SB0736

 

Introduced 1/30/2017, by Sen. Michael E. Hastings

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
New Act

    Creates the Educational Credit for Military Experience Act. Provides that before June 1, 2018, each institution of higher education shall adopt a policy regarding its awarding of academic credit for military training considered applicable to the requirements of the student's certificate or degree program. Requires the policy to apply to any individual who is enrolled in the institution of higher education and who has completed a military training course that meets certain requirements. Provides that institutions of higher education shall develop procedures for evaluating courses and awarding credit. Requires institutions of higher education to submit their policies for awarding credit to the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board for review before June 30, 2018 and before June 30 of every other year thereafter. Requires the Board of Higher Education to collect data in the Illinois Higher Education Information System on students who are veterans or have military service to assess enrollment and completions outcomes.


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A BILL FOR

 

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1    AN ACT concerning education.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
5Educational Credit for Military Experience Act.
 
6    Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act, "institution
7of higher education" means the University of Illinois, Southern
8Illinois University, Chicago State University, Eastern
9Illinois University, Governors State University, Illinois
10State University, Northeastern Illinois University, Northern
11Illinois University, Western Illinois University, a public
12community college that is included in the definition of
13"Community Colleges" under Section 1-2 of the Public Community
14College Act, and any institution that receives funds under
15Section 35 of the Higher Education Student Assistance Act.
 
16    Section 10. Policies and procedures.
17    (a) Before June 1, 2018, each institution of higher
18education shall adopt a policy regarding its awarding of
19academic credit for military training considered applicable to
20the requirements of the student's certificate or degree
21program. The policy shall apply to any individual who is
22enrolled in the institution of higher education and who has

 

 

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1successfully completed a military training course or program as
2part of his or her military service that is:
3        (1) recommended for credit by a national higher
4    education association that provides credit recommendations
5    for military training courses and programs;
6        (2) included in the individual's military transcript
7    issued by any branch of the armed services; or
8        (3) otherwise documented as military training or
9    experience.
10    (b) Each institution of higher education shall develop a
11procedure for receiving the necessary documentation to
12identify and verify the military training course or program
13that an individual is claiming for academic credit.
14    (c) Each institution of higher education shall provide a
15copy of its policy for awarding academic credit for military
16training to any applicant who listed prior or present military
17service in his or her application.
18    (d) Each institution of higher education shall develop and
19maintain a list of military training courses and programs that
20have qualified for academic credit.
 
21    Section 15. Policies and procedures review. Each
22institution of higher education shall submit its policy for
23awarding academic credit for military training to the Board of
24Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board, if
25applicable, before June 30, 2018 and before June 30 of every

 

 

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1other year thereafter.
2    The Board of Higher Education shall collect data in the
3Illinois Higher Education Information System on students who
4are veterans or have military service to assess enrollment and
5completions outcomes.