Illinois Students Act: Law Or Not?

The Retention of Illinois Students and Equity Act, also known as the RISE Act, was passed into law on January 1, 2020. The Act ensures that all Illinois students have equitable access to higher education opportunities, regardless of their race, gender, age, religion, disability status, or other factors. It also addresses financial barriers for Illinois students who wish to pursue higher education within the state.

The Act's focus on equitable access to higher education

The Retention of Illinois Students and Equity Act, effective from 1 January 2020, is designed to ensure that all students who are residents of the state have meaningful and equitable access to higher education. The Act is committed to ensuring that all Illinois residents have equal opportunities to pursue higher education, regardless of their race, colour, gender, gender identity, age, ancestry, marital status, military status, religion, pregnancy, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, order of protection status, or immigration status.

The Act also focuses on students who may not have had equal educational opportunities, aiming to address financial barriers and eliminate systemic barriers that disproportionately impact African American students and other students of colour. It seeks to achieve this by lifting caps on the Monetary Award Program, thereby improving access to resources for these students.

The Act defines an Illinois resident as any person deemed a resident for tuition purposes under state law. It outlines that a student who is an Illinois resident and is not eligible for federal financial aid, for reasons such as disqualification due to selective service registration or lack of lawful permanent residence, shall be eligible for state financial aid and benefits. This includes scholarships, grants, awards, stipends, room and board assistance, tuition waivers, and other financial or in-kind assistance.

The Act promotes the broadest eligibility for financial aid and benefits for Illinois residents, ensuring that they are not subject to caps on grant assistance under the Monetary Award Program. However, it does not modify any eligibility requirements regarding academic standing or personal or household income for state financial aid programs.

Additionally, the Act addresses the eligibility of independent students, members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and foreign missionaries. Independent students must have physically resided in Illinois for 12 continuous full months before the start of the academic year for which assistance is requested. Armed Forces members and foreign missionaries qualify as Illinois residents if they resided in Illinois before their service, plan to return within six months of service completion, and can prove that Illinois was their domicile throughout.

Financial aid and benefits for Illinois residents

The Retention of Illinois Students and Equity Act ensures that all Illinois resident students have equitable access to higher education opportunities. This includes removing barriers for African American students and other students of colour, and addressing financial barriers for Illinois students who wish to attend higher education institutions in the state.

The Act also ensures that Illinois resident students are eligible for state financial aid and benefits, including scholarships, grants, awards, stipends, room and board assistance, tuition waivers, and other financial or in-kind assistance. The Act specifically mentions that Illinois residents are eligible for state-funded or administered student aid, regardless of their academic standing, personal or household income, race, colour, gender, gender identity, age, ancestry, marital status, military status, religion, pregnancy, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, order of protection status, or immigration status.

The Monetary Award Program (MAP) is the largest grant program for low-income college students in Illinois. It is available to undergraduate students who are Illinois residents with demonstrated financial need. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) manages and administers MAP and other college financial aid, scholarship, and repayment programs on behalf of the state.

Other financial aid and benefits available to Illinois residents include:

• Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
• Illinois State University Access Grant
• Higher Education License Plate (HELP) Program
• Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant
• Illinois Veterans Grant (IVG)
• Grant Program for Dependents of Police or Fire Officers
• Grant Program for Dependents of Correctional Officers
• Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
• Federal Perkins Loan
• Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
• Federal PLUS Loan Program
• Illinois Teachers Loan Repayment Program
• John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program
• Nurse Educator Loan Repayment Program
• Veterans' Home Medical Providers' Loan Repayment Program

The State's commitment to retaining students

The State of Illinois is committed to ensuring that all students who are residents of the state have meaningful and equitable access to higher education opportunities, regardless of their race, colour, gender, gender identity, age, ancestry, marital status, military status, religion, pregnancy, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, order of protection status, or immigration status.

Illinois is dedicated to providing equal opportunities for students who may not have had the same educational opportunities as their peers, ensuring they are not penalised when seeking higher education. The state is committed to the success and retention of African American students, addressing systemic barriers and safeguarding equitable access to educational funding.

The Retention of Illinois Students and Equity Act, or the RISE Act, ensures that Illinois students who are not eligible for federal financial aid can apply for state financial aid and benefits. This includes students who are disqualified from federal aid due to their gender identity or immigration status. The Act also removes caps on the Monetary Award Program, which disproportionately impacts African American students and other students of colour, to improve their retention and equity.

The state further demonstrates its commitment to retaining students by addressing financial barriers for Illinois residents wishing to attend higher education institutions within the state. This includes students who are independent, dependent, members of the armed forces, or foreign missionaries.

Additionally, the College and Career Success for All Students Act ensures that all Illinois students receive a sufficient education for success after high school and have equal access to a rigorous curriculum that prepares them for college and work. The Act encourages school districts to offer challenging courses and seeks to increase student enrollment and success in Advanced Placement courses.

The Act's impact on independent students

The Retention of Illinois Students and Equity Act outlines the state's commitment to ensuring that all students who are residents of Illinois have equitable access to higher education opportunities. This includes students who are independent and may not have had the same educational opportunities as their peers.

The Act defines an independent student as one who has physically resided in Illinois for 12 continuous full months before the start of the academic year for which they are requesting assistance. Illinois must be their true, fixed, and permanent home. For example, an independent student attending an institution with an academic year starting on August 5, 2024, must have lived in Illinois from August 5, 2023, to August 4, 2024.

The Act also specifies that a student who is an Illinois resident and is not eligible for federal financial aid shall be eligible for state financial aid and benefits. This includes students who are disqualified for failure to register for selective service or noncitizen students who have not obtained lawful permanent residence.

The Act ensures that independent students who are Illinois residents have broad eligibility for student aid or benefits funded or administered by the state, any state agency, or any public institution of higher learning. This includes scholarships, grants, awards, stipends, room and board assistance, tuition waivers, or other financial or in-kind assistance.

The Act also addresses the situation of applicants who cease to be Illinois residents after scholarship and/or grant award notification. It states that these applicants may complete the academic year with the awarded scholarships and/or grants. For example, if a dependent student's parent(s) move out of state after completing the FAFSA and receiving notification of scholarship and/or grant eligibility, the student remains eligible for that academic year, assuming they continue to meet all other eligibility requirements.

Overall, the Retention of Illinois Students and Equity Act has a significant impact on independent students by ensuring their access to higher education in Illinois and providing them with financial assistance and benefits. The Act promotes equity and helps remove financial barriers for independent students who wish to pursue higher education in the state.

The Act's effect on students in the Armed Forces

The Retention of Illinois Students and Equity Act, also known as the RISE Act, was signed into law on June 21, 2019. The Act ensures that all students who are Illinois residents have meaningful and equitable access to higher educational opportunities, regardless of their race, colour, gender, gender identity, age, ancestry, marital status, military status, religion, pregnancy, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, order of protection status, or immigration status.

The RISE Act has a significant impact on students in the Armed Forces by providing them with enhanced educational opportunities and financial support. Here are some key ways in which the Act affects these students:

• Military Status Inclusion: The Act explicitly includes "military status" as one of the factors that will not be a barrier to accessing higher education. This means that students in the Armed Forces, or those with a military background, will not be discriminated against and will have equal opportunities to pursue their educational goals.
• Financial Aid Eligibility: The RISE Act allows students in the Armed Forces, who are Illinois residents, to access state financial aid programs. This includes the State of Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) and other institutional financial aid opportunities. This provision ensures that financial barriers are addressed and that students in the Armed Forces have a pathway to achieving their higher education aspirations.
• Undocumented Students: The Act specifically benefits undocumented students, including those with a military background, by enabling them to apply for state financial aid through the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid. This provision recognises that some students in the Armed Forces may have unique citizenship or residency statuses and ensures that they are not excluded from educational opportunities.
• Equal Opportunity: By focusing on equity, the RISE Act ensures that students in the Armed Forces have equal opportunities as their peers. This includes safeguarding equitable access to educational funding and eliminating any systemic barriers that may have previously existed for students with a military background.
• Protection of Rights: The Family Military Leave Act in Illinois provides specific rights and protections for employees who are spouses, parents, children, or grandparents of individuals called to military service. This Act ensures that employees can take unpaid leave during their family member's military deployment without fear of retaliation or discrimination from their employer. This provision indirectly impacts students in the Armed Forces by protecting the rights of their family members and ensuring support during their service.

In conclusion, the Retention of Illinois Students and Equity Act has a direct and positive effect on students in the Armed Forces by providing them with enhanced educational opportunities, financial support, and equal access to higher education. The Act recognises the unique circumstances and challenges faced by these students and works to remove barriers, ensuring that military service is not an impediment to their academic pursuits.

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