IL HB0301

Removes the "Pilot" designation from the AIM HIGH Grant Program, making it a permanent merit-based scholarship program for Illinois public universities beginning with the 2019-2020 academic year.

Increases matching fund requirements for universities with high Pell Grant enrollment (49% or more) from 20% to 35%, and for universities with lower Pell Grant enrollment (less than 49%) from 60% to 70%.

Allows universities to use either the 2017-2018 or 2021-2022 academic year as the baseline for calculating required non-loan financial aid amounts, whichever is lower.

Permits part-time undergraduate students in their final semester to apply for grants, while full-time undergraduate students remain automatically eligible.

Requires universities to use "AIM HIGH" in grant names and published materials, and eliminates the October 1, 2024 repeal date, making the program permanent with annual reporting requirements through 2024.