IL HR0296

Illinois Student Assistance Commission directed to form a working group to examine best practices for academic advising of Monetary Award Program (MAP) recipients, with emphasis on low-income and first-generation college students.

Working group shall catalog existing student academic advising and support programs in Illinois and their outcomes, along with surveying literature on effectiveness of similar programs within and outside the state.

Working group shall recommend minimum standards for student support and advising to encourage MAP recipient retention and degree completion, as well as minimum student participation requirements.

Working group shall consider benefits and concerns of advising requirements, including student access to advisors, current staff capacity, documentation methods, and implementation costs for schools.

Working group shall report findings and recommendations to Illinois Student Assistance Commission and General Assembly by February 3, 2014, with implementation of academic advising and support requirements required by the 2015-2016 academic year.