MIA/POW SCHOLARSHIP-VETS GRANT

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that a person is a qualified applicant if, despite not meeting other residency requirements, the applicant is a resident of Illinois at the time of application and at some point after leaving federal active duty service was a resident of Illinois for 15 consecutive years. Effective July 1, 2019. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 110 ILCS 947/40 Adds reference to: 110 ILCS 305/9 from Ch. 144, par. 30 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the University of Illinois Act. With regard to scholarships for children of veterans, provides that, subject to eligibility requirements, the child of a person who served in the armed forces of the United States during Operation Just Cause between December 20, 1989 and January 31, 1990 is entitled to a scholarship in the University. Effective July 1, 2019. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 110 ILCS 305/9 Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/30-14.2 from Ch. 122, par. 30-14.2 110 ILCS 947/40 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. 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. Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. With regard to the Illinois Veteran grant program, 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. Effective July 1, 2019. Fiscal Note (Illinois Student Assistance Commission) SB 1467 would extend eligibility for the IVG and MIA/POW programs to veterans who have, at some point after separation from service, lived in Illinois for 15 continuous years. ISAC does not have adequate information to provide a reliable estimate of the size of this newly-eligible population, nor the likelihood that newly-eligible individuals would take advantage of the program if SB 1467 becomes law. In FY18, 4,116 Illinoisans received IVG grants averaging $4,545, and for FY17 (most recent available),1,211 Illinoisans received MIA/POW grants averaging $2,487 (administered by IDVA). A 1% increase in the number of participants would be expected to increase IVG waivers by about $187,000 and MIA/POW waivers by about $30,000, for a total increase of $217,000 per percentage point increase in the number of eligible applicants. If the number of eligible applicants increased by 5%, the amount waived would be expected to increase by approximately $1.1 million above current levels. Notably, the affected programs require public universities and community colleges to waive tuition and fees for eligible applicants, whether or not the institution receives reimbursement from the state for providing the waiver. If not reimbursed through state appropriations, institutions must absorb or offset any costs incurred due to the programs (for example, through additional fees or tuition increases paid by other students). Pension Note (Government Forecasting & Accountability) SB 1467, as engrossed, amends the Scholarship Article of the School Code and the Higher Education Student Assistance Act in a way that does not impact any pension system. State Debt Impact Note (Government Forecasting & Accountability) SB 1467, as engrossed, would not change the amount of authorization for any type of State-issued or State-supported bond, and, therefore, would not affect the level of State indebtedness. Judicial Note (Admin Office of the Illinois Courts) This bill would neither increase nor decrease the number of judges needed in the State of Illinois. Correctional Note (Dept of Corrections) There is no fiscal or population impact on the Department of Corrections. State Mandates Fiscal Note (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity) This bill does not create a State Mandate. Home Rule Note (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity) This bill does not pre-empt home rule authority. Balanced Budget Note (Office of Management and Budget) The Balanced Budget Note Act does not apply to this bill. As engrossed, as it is not a supplemental appropriation that increases or decreases appropriations. Under the Act, a balanced budget note must be prepared only for bills that change a general funds appropriation for the fiscal year in which the new bill is enacted. Housing Affordability Impact Note (Housing Development Authority) This bill will have no effect on the cost of constructing, purchasing, owning, or selling a single-family residence. Land Conveyance Appraisal Note (Dept. of Transportation) No land conveyances are included in Senate Bill 1467; therefore, there are no appraisals to be filed.