During a ceremony at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the Retention of Illinois Students and Equity Bill (HB 2691) into law on June 21, 2019. Previously known as the “RISE bill,” the Retention of Illinois Students and Equity Act makes undocumented students who are Illinois residents and not otherwise eligible for federal financial aid eligible for state financial aid and benefits at public institutions in Illinois, including the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This state aid includes Illinois MAP grants as well as other institutional aid including, but not limited to, scholarships, grants, awards, stipends, room and board assistance, tuition waivers, or other financial or in-kind assistance.
The Office of Financial Aid and other university departments are in the process of updating information and may not yet reflect this change on their websites. More information will be posted during the fall semester. Read the full text of the Retention of Illinois Students and Equality Act: Public Act 101-0021 and the news release from UIC: Pritzker signs laws at UIC helping undocumented, trans community. The new law takes effect January 1, 2020, marking an important commitment by our state to provide access to higher education for undocumented University of Illinois students.
