IL SB1889

Amends the Illinois Veteran grant program to allow children of qualified veterans to access grant benefits at the veteran's request instead of the veteran using the benefits themselves.

Qualified applicants include persons who served in the Armed Forces, Reserve components, or Illinois National Guard and meet residency, service length, discharge, and return-to-state requirements.

A qualified applicant or their child is exempt from paying tuition and mandatory fees while attending Illinois State-controlled universities or public community colleges for up to 4 years of full-time enrollment, including summer terms.

Benefits are considered an entitlement that institutions must honor without condition other than maintenance of minimum grade levels and satisfactory student loan repayment records.

Assistance remains available as long as the federal government provides educational benefits to veterans, with a 6-month phase-out period if federal benefits terminate.