Section 2743.20  Applicant Eligibility

A qualified applicant shall:

a)         be a resident of Illinois;

b)         have received:

1)         a pardon issued on the grounds of innocence;

2)         a certificate of innocence from a circuit court; or

3)         a designation as a dependent of an exonerated person; [110 ILCS 947/62(a)]

c)         be an exonerated person or their dependent who:

1)         has not yet received a high school diploma or a high school equivalency certificate and is completing a high school equivalency preparation course through an Illinois Community Board-approved provider and/or is seeking an Illinois high school equivalency certificate; or

2)         is enrolled for full or part time study at an institution that is approved for participation in the MAP in an undergraduate degree or certificate program (see 34 CFR 668.8).  Beginning with grants awarded for the 2025-2026 academic year, a grant under this Section may also be used at any private, not-for-profit college or university in this State that is approved to participate in the Monetary Award Program under Section 35 of the Higher Education Student Assistance Act.

d)         maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined in 110 ILCS 947/62(a); and

e)         not have to demonstrate financial need to receive this grant.

(Source:  Amended at 50 Ill. Reg. 9451, effective June 25, 2026)