SB1331: SCHOLARSHIP ACCESSIBILITY ACT

Legislative Summary

Amends the Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois Act. Requires the Board of Higher Education to name the chairperson of the Program Board. Requires the Program Board to name the vice chairperson of the Program Board and make any necessary subcommittee appointments. Provides that the members of the Program Board shall serve 2-year terms and shall continue to serve until a replacement or reappointment is determined. Adds additional responsibilities of the Program Board. Requires institutions of higher education to verify that student applicants meet the eligibility requirements for DFI grants. Adds eligibility requirements for an award under the Act. Sets forth responsibilities for DFI institutions and DFI representatives. Requires a student to apply directly to the qualified institution of higher education that he or she plans to attend. Provides that in determining the recipients of awards, the Program Board shall favor recipients who received awards in previous years and who maintain conditions of eligibility and have made satisfactory academic progress toward a degree, as long as no student receives assistance for more than 4 years. Adds an additional condition for acceptance of a DFI award. Provides that if the obligation of the award is not met, repayment of the funds awarded shall (rather than may) be required according to procedures developed by the Board of Higher Education (rather than the Program Board). Provides that all grants are subject to the Illinois Grant Funds Recovery Act. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act shall first apply beginning with awards made for the 2025-2026 academic year. Repeals a provision concerning continuing participants. Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act regarding the Minority Teachers of Illinois scholarship program. Changes the name of the scholarship program to the Teachers of Illinois scholarship program. Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to determine how to verify whether an applicant is a qualified student and to award teacher scholarships to qualified students who demonstrate that they satisfy requirements. Requires the annual teacher scholarship amount to be computed by the institution. Provides that each teacher scholarship awarded shall be in an amount sufficient to pay the total cost of attendance (rather than tuition and fees and room and board costs). Requires applicants to submit an application annually, as well as complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Adds additional factors for the Commission to consider when prioritizing the allocation of funds. Removes language providing that at least 35% of the funds appropriated for awarded scholarships in each fiscal year shall be reserved for qualified male minority applicants, with priority being given to qualified Black male applicants, and if the Commission does not receive enough applications from qualified male minorities, then the Commission may award a portion of the reserved funds to qualified female minority applicants. Requires each recipient of a teacher scholarship to sign and submit a teaching agreement or promissory note to the Commission. Provides that recipients of a teacher scholarship are also required to provide the Commission with evidence of compliance with program requirements. Provides that if a recipient of a teacher scholarship fails to fulfill the teaching obligation, the scholarship converts to a loan with a repayment period of 10 years. Requires the State Board of Education to furnish all appropriate data referenced within the definition of a qualified student on a timely basis to the Commission. Provides that institutions shall also submit eligibility information for qualified students in sufficient time for the Commission to make award announcements. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act shall first apply beginning with awards made for the 2025-2026 academic year. Amends the Transitions in Education Act to make a related change. Makes other changes, and adds a severability clause. Effective immediately.