HB4256 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB101 17431 NHT 66840 b

101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB4256

Introduced 1/27/2020, by Rep. Aaron M. Ortiz

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

110 ILCS 947/65.110 new

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Creates State Seal of Biliteracy grants. Provides that a student qualifies for a State Seal of Biliteracy grant if he or she: (i) is a graduate of a public or nonpublic high school; (ii) is a recipient of the State Seal of Biliteracy; (iii) is enrolled or is accepted for enrollment at a public university or nonpublic college or university in undergraduate studies in teacher education or in an approved educator preparation program; and (iv) intends to obtain an educator license. Sets forth additional provisions of the grant. Authorizes the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to administer the grant program. Effective July 1, 2020.

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 65.110 as follows:

(110 ILCS 947/65.110 new)

Sec. 65.110. State Seal of Biliteracy grants.

(a) The Commission shall, each year, receive and consider applications for grant assistance under this Section. An applicant is eligible to receive a grant under this Section if the Commission determines that the applicant:

(1) is a graduate of a public or nonpublic high school located in this State;

(2) is a recipient of the State Seal of Biliteracy under Section 2-3.159 of the School Code;

(3) is enrolled or is accepted for enrollment at a public university or nonpublic college or university located in this State in undergraduate studies in teacher education or in an educator preparation program approved by the State Board of Education; and

(4) intends to obtain an educator license under Article 21B of the School Code.

(b) An applicant who is determined by the Commission to be eligible for a grant under this Section shall receive, subject to appropriation, a renewable grant of $5,000 to be applied to tuition and mandatory fees and paid directly to the college or university at which the applicant is enrolled. A grant awarded under this Section may be renewed for a total of up to 4 years of enrollment provided that the recipient maintains eligibility for the grant and satisfactory academic progress at the college or university at which the recipient is enrolled.

(c) Grants under this Section, subject to appropriation, may be awarded to no more than 200 first-time recipients per year, and no more than 800 grants total may be utilized at any one time.

(d) If a recipient of a grant under this Section fails to obtain an educator license under Article 21B of the School Code, the Commission shall require the recipient to repay the amount of all grants received. The Commission shall set forth conditions when repayment of the amount received by a recipient may be waived or partially waived.

(e) The Commission shall make all necessary and proper rules not inconsistent with this Section for its effective implementation.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2020.