WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 5696

$FY27 ISAC OCE

104th Regular Session Introduced by Robyn Gabel

Allocates about 926 million to ISAC for student aid, grants, loan programs, and education initiatives, funding MAP, veterans and nurse programs, early childhood, and outreach.

0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 5696

Overview

HB 5696 (104th General Assembly, Illinois) is an appropriations bill for the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2026. The measure structures funding across multiple funds to support ISAC programs, grants, scholarships, loan programs, workforce and education initiatives, and related administrative costs.

Main purpose and intent

  • Provide and allocate state, federal, and dedicated funds to ISAC to administer and expand student financial assistance, outreach, research, training, loan repayment, and program support for higher education access in Illinois.
  • Support both traditional need-based aid (e.g., Monetary Award Program) and targeted programs (e.g., veteran and national guard grants, nursing and teacher loan programs, early childhood programs, and dedicated funds for equity-focused initiatives).

Key provisions and changes

  • General Funds, Other State Funds, and Federal Funds allocations totaling $926,242,700 for ISAC operations and program funding.
  • Specific appropriations by section (highlights):
    • Operational expenses for ISAC: $8,997,000 (FY ending 2027) and ongoing administrative/operational funding (Section 10).
    • Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants and ISAC admin costs: $221,556,200 (with up to 2% for agency administrative costs) (Section 15).
    • Education Assistance Fund allocations for MAP grants: $500,000,000 (Section 20).
    • AIM HIGH program payments to eligible public universities for student grants: $50,000,000 (Section 25).
    • Illinois Veterans' Grants and Illinois National Guard Grants at state-controlled universities: $5,000,000 (Section 30).
    • Grants for exonerated persons: $150,000 (Section 35).
    • Early childhood program support (Education Assistance Fund): $5,000,000 (Section 40).
    • Social Worker Scholarships and loan repayment assistance: $2,000,000 (Section 45).
    • Prepare for Illinois' Future program: $7,000,000 (Section 50).
    • Veterans' Home Medical Providers' Loan Repayment (Education Fund-related): $26,400 (Section 55).
    • Nurse educator loan payment support: $400,000 (Section 60).
    • Scholarships for dependents of fallen/disabled police, firefighters, correctional officers, and teachers scholarships: $1,100,000 + $8,000,000 (Section 65).
    • Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois program: $10,750,000 (Section 70) and Golden Apple Accelerators Program: $2,500,000 (Section 75).
    • Loan repayment and teacher-focused programs: $975,000 (Section 80).
    • Delinquent scholarship collections administration (ISAC Accounts Receivable Fund): $300,000 (Section 85).
    • Higher Education License Plate program grants: $110,000 (Section 90).
    • Community Behavioral Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program: $5,000,000 (Section 95).
    • ISAC operations and program support from various funds (Contract/Grants, Federal funds, etc.): $12,500,000 (Section 99).
    • Designated Account Purchase program costs: $1,000,000 (Section 120).
    • Transfer funds related to specific scholarships and repayment programs from various funds (Sections 125-165), including:
    • Paul Douglas Teacher Scholarship fund transfers to U.S. Treasury: $100,000.
    • Federal grant funds usage for college access/outreach/training: $15,000,000.
    • John R. Justice Loan Repayment Program: $300,000.
    • Nursing Education Scholarship Law expenses: $4,000,000.
    • Energy Transition Act-related costs: $1,100,000.
    • United Negro College Fund scholarships: $5,000,000.
    • Illinois DREAM Fund scholarships: $5,000,000.
    • Human Services Loan Repayment program: $350,000 (Contract/Grants Fund).
    • Monetary Award Program operating costs: $6,000,000.
    • Other education loan repayment and human services initiatives: $250,000.
  • All appropriations are described as “or so much thereof as may be necessary,” indicating flexible budgeting aligned to ISAC needs throughout the fiscal year.
  • Effective date: July 1, 2026.

Who/what would be affected

  • ISAC and its administration would receive the funds to operate and administer programs.
  • Illinois students and families benefiting from MAP and other ISAC-administered scholarships and grants.
  • Eligible public universities, community colleges, and institutions hosting state-controlled programs.
  • Specific groups targeted by programs (e.g., veterans, National Guard members, teachers, nurses, exonerated persons, police/firefighter families, dependents of fallen/disabled officers, early childhood educators, social workers, energy transition program participants).
  • Recipients of loan repayment and scholarship programs; providers of early childhood and behavioral health programs; and professionals serving in public sector fields eligible for loan forgiveness or scholarships.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill is introduced for the 2026 fiscal year, covering operations and program funding for the new fiscal year starting July 1, 2026.
  • It follows standard Illinois annual appropriations structure, delineating funds by purpose, program, and funding source.
  • The act becomes effective July 1, 2026, aligning with the state’s fiscal year.

Note: This summary focuses on the substantive funding allocations and programmatic intent of HB 5696 as introduced, without analysis of fiscal impact estimates beyond the listed appropriations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.