101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB4256
 
Introduced , 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.



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FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
 
 
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 5. The Higher Education Student Assistance Act is 
5amended by adding Section 65.110 as follows:

6 (110 ILCS 947/65.110 new)
7 Sec. 65.110. State Seal of Biliteracy grants.
8 (a) The Commission shall, each year, receive and consider 
9applications for grant assistance under this Section. An 
10applicant is eligible to receive a grant under this Section if 
11the Commission determines that the applicant:
12  (1) is a graduate of a public or nonpublic high school 
13 located in this State;
14  (2) is a recipient of the State Seal of Biliteracy 
15 under Section 2-3.159 of the School Code;
16  (3) is enrolled or is accepted for enrollment at a 
17 public university or nonpublic college or university 
18 located in this State in undergraduate studies in teacher 
19 education or in an educator preparation program approved by 
20 the State Board of Education; and
21  (4) intends to obtain an educator license under Article 
22 21B of the School Code. 
23 (b) An applicant who is determined by the Commission to be 
 
 
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1eligible for a grant under this Section shall receive, subject 
2to appropriation, a renewable grant of $5,000 to be applied to 
3tuition and mandatory fees and paid directly to the college or 
4university at which the applicant is enrolled. A grant awarded 
5under this Section may be renewed for a total of up to 4 years 
6of enrollment provided that the recipient maintains 
7eligibility for the grant and satisfactory academic progress at 
8the college or university at which the recipient is enrolled.
9 (c) Grants under this Section, subject to appropriation, 
10may be awarded to no more than 200 first-time recipients per 
11year, and no more than 800 grants total may be utilized at any 
12one time.
13 (d) If a recipient of a grant under this Section fails to 
14obtain an educator license under Article 21B of the School 
15Code, the Commission shall require the recipient to repay the 
16amount of all grants received. The Commission shall set forth 
17conditions when repayment of the amount received by a recipient 
18may be waived or partially waived.
19 (e) The Commission shall make all necessary and proper 
20rules not inconsistent with this Section for its effective 
21implementation. 


22 Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 
232020.