SB 1255

Abstract

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. With regard to the Illinois Veteran grant program, provides that, beginning with the 2019-2020 academic year, a veteran may transfer his or her benefits to a qualified dependent if certain conditions are met; defines "qualified dependent". Provides that a veteran may transfer benefits to multiple qualified dependents; however, the total number of credit hours of assistance transferred may not exceed 120 credit hours, and a veteran may transfer benefits to only one qualified dependent at a time. Effective July 1, 2019. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/30-14.2 from Ch. 122, par. 30-14.2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Amends the Scholarships Article of the School Code. With regard to the MIA/POW Scholarship, provides that the definition of "eligible veteran or serviceperson" includes, among other requirements, a veteran or serviceperson who is a resident of Illinois at the time of application for the Scholarship and, at some point after leaving service, was a resident of Illinois for at least 15 consecutive years. Further amends the Illinois Veteran grant program under the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Removes a provision providing that a person is a qualified applicant if he or she returned to this State within 6 months after leaving federal active duty service, or, if married to a person in continued military service stationed outside this State, returned to this State within 6 months after his or her spouse left service or was stationed within this State. Provides that a person is a qualified applicant if, despite not meeting other requirements, he or she is a resident of Illinois at the time of application to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and, at some point after leaving federal active duty service, was a resident of Illinois for at least 15 consecutive years. Changes the definition of "qualified dependent" to include a spouse of a veteran of the United States Armed Forces who meets certain qualifications. Effective July 1, 2019.