Section 2755.30  Program Procedures

a)         The Journalism Student Scholarship Program application must be submitted annually and is available on ISAC's website.  In order to receive priority consideration for an award, the application, including all required documentation, must be completed and received by a priority date established and posted on the ISAC website each year that will precede the academic year for which the scholarship is being requested.

1)         The Journalism Student Scholarship Program application is available on ISAC's website.

2)         If the scholarship application is incomplete, ISAC will notify the applicant. The applicant will then have an opportunity to furnish the missing information; however, the application will only be considered for processing as of the date when the application is complete and received by ISAC.

b)         Award funds shall be applicable only toward tuition and fees for an award year after other financial aid received, up to a maximum of $5,000.

c)         Within the constraints of annual appropriation levels, two semester or three quarter term payments are made directly to the institution.

d)         ISAC shall select recipients from among those who have submitted complete applications and have supplied required information, including qualified timely renewal and new applicants.

e)         Awarding priority shall be given to renewal applicants, meaning those who were paid a Journalism Student Scholarship benefit in the previous award year, who continue to meet the eligibility requirements. Preference will be given to applicants preparing to work in underserved areas.

f)         The total number of awards in a given fiscal year is contingent on available funding. If funding is insufficient to pay all eligible applicants, awarding will be based on the date the completed application is received by ISAC.

g)         Each qualified applicant who is selected to receive an award shall be notified by ISAC. Applicants not receiving the award will also be notified.

h)         The total amount of funds awarded to a qualified recipient in any given academic year, when added to other financial aid available to the qualified recipient for that year, shall not exceed tuition and fees. If the amount of financial aid to be awarded to a qualified student exceeds the institution's cost of attendance, the scholarship shall be reduced by the amount by the which the cost of attendance is exceeded.

i)          ISAC pays award funds directly to the institution of record in the name of the recipient.

j)          The qualified applicant must agree to sign an agreement under which the recipient pledges that within the 2-year period following the termination of the academic program for which the recipient was awarded a scholarship, the recipient shall:

1)         begin working in journalism in this State for a period of not less than 2 years;

2)         fulfill this obligation at local news organization; and

3)         upon request of the Commission, provide the Commission with evidence that the recipient is fulfilling or has fulfilled the terms of the teaching agreement provided for in this subsection.  [110 ILCS 947/65.130]