HB3827 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 26246 RJT 52606 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB3827

Introduced 2/17/2023, by Rep. Brad Halbrook

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

110 ILCS 947/65.120 new

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to establish a grant program for volunteer firefighters or volunteer EMS personnel who are enrolled in an associate degree program at a public community college. Sets forth eligibility requirements. Requires a grant recipient not to have an outstanding balance with the public community college and to maintain satisfactory academic progress to remain eligible for a grant assistance. Provides that the grant may be renewed for up to a total of 2 years of full-time enrollment. Provides for rulemaking. Effective immediately.

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 65.120 as follows:

(110 ILCS 947/65.120 new)

Sec. 65.120. Volunteer firefighter grant program.

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

(1) is a resident of this State;

(2) is a volunteer firefighter or a volunteer EMS personnel at the time the grant application is submitted to the Commission;

(3) is a high school graduate or has received a high school equivalency certificate;

(4) meets all requirements for admission to a public community college; and

(5) is enrolled in an associate degree program at a public community college.

(b) Applicants who are determined to be eligible for assistance under this Section shall receive, subject to appropriation, a renewable grant sufficient to pay all tuition and mandatory fees. The tuition and mandatory fees shall be paid directly to the public community college in which the applicant is enrolled.

(c) A grant recipient must not have an outstanding balance with the public community college and must maintain satisfactory academic progress as determined by the community college to remain eligible for grant assistance.

(d) A grant awarded under this Section may be renewed for up to a total of 2 years of full-time enrollment.

(e) The Commission shall adopt any rules necessary for the implementation and administration of this Section.

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