HB4720 Summary

• Creates the Human Service Professional Loan Repayment Program, administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, beginning January 1, 2023, to provide loan repayment assistance to eligible direct service professionals working for community-based human service agencies contracted with or grant-funded by State agencies.

• Provides annual grant awards up to $25,000 for Master's degrees, $15,000 for Bachelor's degrees, $3,000 for Associate's degrees, and up to $5,000 additional annually for independently licensed professionals, with a maximum cumulative award of 4 years.

• Requires applicants to be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens, Illinois residents, hold degrees from accredited institutions in human services fields, have 24 consecutive months of full-time employment as human service professionals, and have outstanding educational loan balances with no defaults.

• Mandates recipients remain full-time employees in community-based human service agencies for at least 12 months after receiving the grant or face prorated repayment obligations at 5% interest; employment termination for cause requires full repayment within 90 days.

• Authorizes the Commission to grant preference to previous program recipients who continue meeting eligibility requirements and to adopt administrative rules for program implementation.