HB1397 Summary

• Each General Assembly member may nominate 6 persons annually from their district: 4 for one-year scholarships and 2 for four-year scholarships at designated state universities.

• Nominees must meet admission requirements; graduates of accredited schools are admitted on standard terms, while non-graduates must pass an examination administered by the regional superintendent.

• Members may delegate nomination authority to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and may award scholarships by competitive examination.

• Scholarships exempt holders from tuition and most fees (matriculation, graduation, activity, term, incidental, and multipurpose fees), but not book rental, service, laboratory, supply, union building, hospital, or medical insurance fees.

• Nominees must provide a notarized waiver document waiving confidentiality rights, which includes their name, address, university, degree program, and tuition amount; false information on the waiver results in scholarship revocation and full reimbursement obligation.