This legislation aims to support veteran education by easing the financial burden on those who have served in the military. By allowing a grant to be transferred to a qualified dependent, starting with the 2026-2027 academic year, the bill helps ensure that the educational opportunities afforded to veterans can also benefit their family members. This change may lead to increased college enrollment among the dependents of veterans, thus promoting higher education and workforce development within Illinois.
Summary
SB1353 amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act to enhance the Illinois Veteran grant program, providing significant benefits to veterans' dependents. The bill allows grant recipients to attend state-controlled universities or public community colleges without paying tuition or mandatory fees based on the length of their active duty service. This is a shift from the existing system, where benefits were capped at four years of full-time enrollment. The new provisions will calculate the benefits using specific credit hour rates linked to the duration of service as recorded in the veteran's Department of Defense documentation.
Contention
While many stakeholders support the bill for its potential to aid veterans and their families, there are concerns regarding the administrative implications and the widening definition of eligible dependents. By offering greater flexibility in transferring education benefits, some fear it may complicate the funding processes or lead to unintended oversubscription of available grants. Further discussions may arise over how effectively the program will ensure that these benefits are equitable and accessible to all veterans and their families.
Providing for individual empowerment scholarship accounts; and establishing the Pennsylvania Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program, the Department of Education Empowerment Scholarship Fund and the State Treasurer Empowerment Scholarship Fund.