WALSH,L. 110 ILCS 947/53 new Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Creates the Direct Service Professions Scholarship Program under which scholarships based on academic excellence and financial need may be awarded, from appropriations made for that purpose, to part-time students at the sophomore level or above who are pursuing a postsecondary course of study leading to a degree that will qualify them for full-time employment in a public service career. Provides that a student may be enrolled at an Illinois institution of higher learning on less than a half-time student basis and still qualify as a part-time student. Provides for renewal of a scholarship, which may not exceed for any year the lesser of $2,000 or the recipient's tuition, fees, and commuting expenses. Adds other related provisions, including a requirement that the recipient agree that within 5 years following termination of the recipient's academic program, he or she will work in full-time public service employment for at least one year for each year of scholarship assistance awarded. Effective July 1, 1998. 98-02-20 S FIRST READING 98-02-20 S REFERRED TO SENATE RULES COMMITTEE RULES 99-01-12 S SESSION SINE DIE END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Summary