IL HB3854

Amends the Illinois Veteran Grant Program under the Higher Education Student Assistance Act to extend the return-to-state deadline from 6 months to one year after leaving federal active duty service.

Extends the one-year return deadline to spouses of military service members stationed outside Illinois who must return within one year after their spouse left service or was stationed within the state.

Qualified applicants remain eligible for grants covering tuition and mandatory fees for up to 4 years of full-time enrollment at state-controlled universities or public community colleges in Illinois.

Maintains existing eligibility requirements including honorable discharge status, prior Illinois residency or enrollment at an Illinois institution, and minimum service duration (with exceptions for medical discharge or service in foreign hostilities).