HB5781 Summary

• Prohibits nominations for General Assembly scholarships and awards of such scholarships after July 1, 2012, unless the person was nominated prior to that date.

• Eliminates the ability to make second nominations for lapsed General Assembly scholarships or nominate persons to unused or unexpired parts of vacated scholarships after July 1, 2012.

• Establishes a new Illinois Conservation Corps scholarship program under the Higher Education Student Assistance Act, awarding 100 scholarships annually beginning in the 2012-2013 academic year to participants in the Young Adult Component (ages 18-25) enrolled at public universities or community colleges.

• Conservation Corps scholarship recipients are selected based on academic excellence and intent to study natural resource or environment-related fields, with each scholarship covering tuition and fees.

• Provides that Illinois Conservation Corps enrollees who are scholarship recipients shall not receive work payment, instead of the standard minimum wage.