HB5833 Summary

• Freezes undergraduate tuition for Illinois residents majoring in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) at 2014-2015 levels for the 2015-2016, 2016-2017, and 2017-2018 academic years, subject to state appropriation to offset costs.

• Allows university governing boards to charge STEM majors lower tuition than other students if state appropriation is not provided in a given fiscal year.

• Applies the tuition freeze provision across all Illinois public universities: University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University, Chicago State University, Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University, Illinois State University, Northeastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, and Western Illinois University.

• Maintains existing tuition protections for students who enrolled after 2003-2004, including a price lock for 4 years from initial enrollment (or length of program for longer degrees) and limited increases for up to 2 additional years.