Illinois Code § 22-87

§ 22-87.

Graduation requirements; Free Application for Federal Student Aid. (a) Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, in addition to any other requirements under this Code, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma from a public high school, the parent or guardian of each student or, if a student is at least 18 years of age or legally emancipated, the student must comply with either of the following: (1) File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid with the United States Department of Education or, if applicable, an application for State financial aid. (2) On a form created by the State Board of Education, file a waiver with the student's school district indicating that the parent or guardian or, if applicable, the student understands what the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and application for State financial aid are and has chosen not to file an application under paragraph (1). (b) Each school district with a high school must require each high school student to comply with this Section and must provide to each high school student and, if applicable, his or her parent or guardian any support or assistance necessary to comply with this Section. Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, each high school must designate at least one member of its staff as a contact for matters related to this Section, annually provide the individual's name and contact information to the State Board of Education and Illinois Student Assistance Commission in a form and manner that these agencies prescribe, and inform high school seniors that this individual is available to answer questions about this Section or to refer them to an appropriate resource, which may include, but is not limited to, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. The contact shall serve as a designated point of contact for information from the State Board of Education and Illinois Student Assistance Commission related to this Section, including the free resources available to their students and schools to help them comply with this Section. A person designated as a point of contact under this Section shall, upon designation, be required to complete an initial orientation and, thereafter, shall be encouraged to participate in annual briefings. The individual shall be eligible to receive professional development hours for both the initial orientation and subsequent annual briefings, as applicable. A school district must award a high school diploma to a student who is unable to meet the requirements of subsection (a) due to extenuating circumstances, as determined by the school district, if (i) the student has met all other graduation requirements under this Code and (ii) the principal attests that the school district has made a good faith effort to assist the student or, if applicable, his or her parent or guardian in filing an application or a waiver under subsection (a). (c) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to implement this Section. (Source: P.A. 104-13, eff. 6-30-25.) (Text of Section from P.A. 104-14) Sec. 22-87. Graduation requirements; Free Application for Federal Student Aid. (a) Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, in addition to any other requirements under this Code, as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma from a public high school, the parent or guardian of each student or, if a student is at least 18 years of age or legally emancipated, the student must comply with either of the following: (1) File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid with the United States Department of Education or, if applicable, an application for State financial aid. (2) On a form created by the State Board of Education, file a waiver with the student's school district indicating that the parent or guardian or, if applicable, the student understands what the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and application for State financial aid are and has chosen not to file an application under paragraph (1). (b) Each school district with a high school must require each high school student to comply with this Section and must provide to each high school student and, if applicable, his or her parent or guardian any support or assistance necessary to comply with this Section. Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, the school district shall provide appropriate support to each high school student to assist with education about and the completion of a financial aid application as described in subsection (a). This support may be offered in a variety of formats, times, and settings and shall include an opportunity for the student to request and receive help during the school day in completing the student's portion of the financial aid application. The high school may request assistance from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to support the completion of financial aid applications, including application completion events and individual assistance, at no cost to the high school. A high school student may choose whether to use the support or assistance provided under this Section. A school district must award a high school diploma to a student who is unable to meet the requirements of subsection (a) due to extenuating circumstances, as determined by the school district, if (i) the student has met all other graduation requirements under this Code and (ii) the principal attests that the school district has made a good faith effort to assist the student or, if applicable, his or her parent or guardian in filing an application or a waiver under subsection (a). (c) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to implement this Section. (Source: P.A. 104-14, eff. 6-30-25.)