HB0079: Higher Education Scholarship Act

• Creates a new scholarship program for entering freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors at public or private community colleges, colleges, and universities in Illinois, effective July 1, 2009.

• Establishes eligibility requirements including Illinois residency, minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average, and matriculated undergraduate status; students not meeting initial GPA requirements may requalify after earning 60 semester hours.

• Covers tuition and mandatory fees, capped at the maximum amount allowed under the Monetary Award Program for private institutions, and only for costs not covered by federal grants.

• Makes students ineligible if they are not U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens, are in default on federal or state educational loans, or owe refunds on federal Title IV or Illinois financial aid programs.

• Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to promulgate rules and authorizes funding subject to annual General Assembly appropriations; students must certify they have applied for other federal and state grants to receive awards.