IL HB4652

Department shall select a minimum of 53 students annually (at least 4 children of veterans) to receive scholarships and fee waivers for post-secondary education at community colleges, universities, or colleges.

Eligible youth include those with court-ordered Department legal responsibility, youth who aged out of care at 18 or older, and youth formerly under care who have been adopted or placed in private guardianship.

Recipients must have earned a high school diploma from an accredited institution, a GED certificate, or met State high school graduation criteria before applying for the scholarship.

Scholarships and fee waivers are available for at least 5 years provided students continue working toward graduation; unused funds shall be reallocated to new recipients.

Department must promulgate rules by January 1, 2015 defining "continuing to work toward graduation" and reallocation procedures, and shall collect and report annually to the General Assembly on scholarship recipient outcomes and completion rates.