Illinois Code § 20

§ 20.

Qualifications to participate in the Program. To qualify to participate in the Program, a student must meet all of the following requirements: (1) He or she must reside in this State. (2) At the time of application to the Program, he or she must be enrolled in grade 8 at a public school in this State or a nonpublic school that is recognized by the State Board of Education and, by the end of grade 8, be enrolled in a public high school in this State or a nonpublic school that is recognized by the State Board of Education. (3) At the time of enrollment in the Program, he or she either (i) must not have a custodial parent or guardian who has received a postsecondary degree or (ii) must be eligible to participate in the free and reduced-price lunch program under the School Breakfast and Lunch Program Act. (4) He or she agrees, in writing, together with the student's custodial parent or guardian, that the student will do all of the following: (A) Complete the course requirements specified in Section 27-605 of the School Code and graduate from a secondary school located in this State. (B) Not be convicted of a felony offense that would disqualify the student from receipt of federal student aid. (C) Timely apply, during grade 12, (i) for admission to a postsecondary institution in this State approved to participate in the Monetary Award Program under Section 35 of the Higher Education Student Assistance Act and (ii) for any federal and State student financial assistance available to the student to attend a postsecondary institution in this State. (D) Achieve a cumulative grade point average upon graduation from high school of at least a 2.5 on a 4.0 grading scale (or its equivalent if another grading scale is used) for courses taken during grades 9, 10, 11, and 12. (E) Update demographic and contact information required within the initial Program participation application and agreement at least once each academic year on a schedule to be determined by the Commission. (F) Take a recognized standardized college entrance examination no later than the end of the 11th grade. (G) Participate in college planning and preparation activities required by the Commission as part of the administration of the Program. (H) Share personal academic and financial data with the Commission beginning in grade 8 and through the attainment of a bachelor's degree. (Source: P.A. 104-391, eff. 8-15-25.)