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| Public Act 101-0021 |
| HB2691 Enrolled | LRB101 07754 AXK 52803 b |
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AN ACT concerning education. |
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, |
represented in the General Assembly: |
Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the |
Retention of Illinois Students and Equity Act. |
Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly makes all of the |
following findings: |
(1) The State of Illinois is committed to ensuring that |
all students who are residents of this State have |
meaningful and equitable access to higher educational |
opportunities notwithstanding the student's race, color, |
gender or gender identity, age, ancestry, marital status, |
military status, religion, pregnancy, national origin, |
disability status, sexual orientation, order of protection |
status, as defined under Section 1-103 of the Illinois |
Human Rights Act, or immigration status. |
(2) The State of Illinois is committed to ensuring that |
students who may not have had the same educational |
opportunities are not penalized as they seek to achieve |
higher education. |
(3) The State of Illinois is committed to ensuring the |
success and retention of African American students by |
safeguarding equitable access to educational funding and |
eliminating systemic barriers. |
(4) Lifting any caps on the Monetary Award Program, |
other than those required by State law, will have a |
positive impact on the retention and equity of African |
American students and other students of color who are |
disproportionately impacted by the lack of access to |
resources in completing their postsecondary education. |
(5) The State of Illinois is committed to retaining |
Illinois students who wish to attend institutions of higher |
learning in this State by addressing financial barriers for |
those students. |
Section 10. Definition. In this Act, "Illinois resident" |
includes any person who is deemed an Illinois resident for |
tuition purposes under State law. |
Section 15. Equitable eligibility for financial aid and |
benefits. |
(a) A student who is an Illinois resident and who is not |
otherwise eligible for federal financial aid, including, but |
not limited to, a transgender student who is disqualified for |
failure to register for selective service or a noncitizen |
student who has not obtained lawful permanent residence, shall |
be eligible for State financial aid and benefits as described |
in subsection (b). |
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the |
contrary, a student who is an Illinois resident (i) is eligible |
to apply or receive consideration for any student aid or |
benefit funded or administered by the State, any State agency, |
or any public institution of higher learning, including, but |
not limited to, scholarships, grants, awards, stipends, room |
and board assistance, tuition waivers, or other financial or |
in-kind assistance and (ii) to ensure equity, success, and the |
retention of Illinois residents, may not be subject to any caps |
on grant assistance available under the Monetary Award Program |
other than those required by State law. |
(c) The eligibility requirements under this Section for any |
student aid or benefit funded or administered by the State |
shall be interpreted to promote the broadest eligibility for |
students who are Illinois residents in accordance with State |
law or policy. |
(d) Nothing in this Section shall be construed as modifying |
any eligibility requirements regarding academic standing or |
personal or household income for any State financial aid |
program. |
(e) The General Assembly finds and declares that this |
Section is a State law within the meaning of subsection (d) of |
Section 1621 of Title 8 of the United States Code. |
Section 97. Severability. The provisions of this Act are |
severable under Section 1.31 of the Statute on Statutes.
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