IL SB3728

Illinois Student Assistance Commission awards up to 250 annual scholarships for individuals with Illinois-licensed clinical social work or social work licenses and Master of Social Work degrees to obtain a Professional Educator License with school social work endorsement.

Scholarship eligibility requires applicants be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens and commit to obtaining an Illinois Professional Educator License with a School Social Work endorsement.

Scholarships cover tuition at eight 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) for required endorsement courses only.

Commission gives priority to applicants from underrepresented communities in the school social work field in Illinois.

Scholarship recipients must work at a public or nonpublic not-for-profit preschool, elementary, or secondary school in Illinois for at least 2 of the 5 years following graduation, with exclusions for military service (up to 3 years), temporary total disability (up to 3 years), and unsuccessful job searches for school social worker positions.

Act becomes effective January 1, 2021.