SB 1809

Abstract

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. With regard to the Monetary Award Program, provides that, beginning with the 2019-2020 academic year, an applicant who is otherwise eligible for grant assistance under the Program may receive grant assistance for an additional academic year after receiving a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent of 135 semester credit hours if he or she (i) enrolls in a State-approved educator preparation program and (ii) within 7 years after receiving a Professional Educator License, teaches in this State for a minimum of 5 years. Provides that if at any time a person fails to meet these requirements, he or she must repay the amount of additional assistance received to the Commission. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Provides that, beginning with the 2020-2021 academic year through the 2024-2025 academic year (rather than beginning with the 2019-2020 academic year), an applicant who is otherwise eligible for grant assistance under the Monetary Award Program may receive grant assistance for an additional academic year after receiving a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent of 135 semester credit hours if he or she (i) enrolls in a State-approved educator preparation program and (ii) within 5 (rather than 7) years after receiving a Professional Educator License, teaches in this State for a minimum of 3 (rather than 5) years. Provides that if at any time a person fails to meet these requirements, he or she must repay the amount of additional assistance received to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, prorated according to the fraction of the teaching obligation not completed. Makes the amendatory provision inoperative on and after July 1, 2025. Effective immediately.