By Bill DeBaun, Senior Director, Data and Strategic Iniativies
Reading time: Five minutes
At the end of June, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker (D) signed four pieces of legislation into law that make college more accessible,
affordable, and navigable for the state’s students and families. The new laws offer other states new approaches to supporting students to take their next, best step following high school graduation.
The package includes legislation to create a direct admissions program, increase dual credit quality and access, and boost support for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion. Here’s a brief summary of each new law:
The Public University Direct Admission Program simplifies the admissions process and opens the door for many more students to see themselves in college. Students who opt in during their junior year will have their academic information shared with the
Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). From there, ISAC will determine where those students meet admissions requirements and proactively send to students direct acceptance offers to eligible public universities and community colleges.
Notably, the passage of this bill was near-unanimous in the Illinois General Assembly, passing 100-2 in the House and 57-0 in the Senate.
Illinois joins more than 20 other states with some kind of direct admissions program.
Benefits of these programs include eliminating application fees and administrative friction for students using the program, speeding up the college admissions process, and helping to keep students in-state and bolstering enrollment at public institutions.
In the first of its kind (that I’ve seen, at least), Illinos’ HB 3096 requires every high school in Illinois to designate a staff member as the point of contact for all FAFSA-related support. Students and families will now know exactly who to go to with
questions or concerns. Schools need to report this point of contact to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and ISAC and to make students and families aware of this contact.
Professionals designated as FAFSA points of contact are required to complete an initial orientation and are then encouraged to participate in annual briefings. These professionals are also eligible to receive professional development hours for both the
initial orientation and subsequent annual briefings.
Incidentally, this legislation amends the section of the Illinois School Code that established universal FAFSA in Illinois. Illinois was the second state to implement universal FAFSA way back for
the class of 2021.
Following on the heels of HB 3096 ism a related new law that requires Illinois high schools to provide time during the school day for seniors to complete the FAFSA or receive help doing so. Schools can partner with ISAC for free support to fulfill this
requirement.
The specific text of the bill stipulates:
“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.”
Dual credit can ramp up a student’s college journey, but access and quality vary widely. HB 2967 aims to strengthen oversight and coordination to make sure that dual credit programs meet consistent quality standards. The bill:
Requires Illinois high schools offering dual credit to coordinate with local community. Notably, school districts and community colleges must “designate a liaison and begin negotiations to reach a partnership agreement no later than 60 calendar days
after the initial request colleges.” Additionally, the bill preferences community colleges as dual credit partners by stipulating that any agreements non-community college partners can’t be set up until school district-community college negotiations
occur first.
Sets expectations for instructor qualifications. Specifically: “The academic credentials required to be a fully qualified instructor shall include either a master's degree in the discipline to be taught or a master's degree in any other discipline
and a minimum of, but not more than, 18 graduate hours in the discipline to be taught.”
Clarifies guidelines for out-of-state dual credit partners by prohibiting “the school district from entering into a contract with an out-of-state postsecondary institution…until the school district has demonstrated to the Illinois Community College
Board that the school district has taken appropriate steps to consider the listing of in-state postsecondary institutions and provides a rationale as to why the course can be provided only by an out-of-state postsecondary institution.”
Lastly, the bill creates the “Dual Credit Committee” with K-12 and higher education officials and teachers’ union representatives.
This legislation package does not just tinker around the edges. It provides meaningful solutions to persistent barriers. Direct admissions reduces uncertainty and paperwork. Expanded dual credit brings early college within reach. FAFSA supports help to
ensure that every student has someone to help them access aid.
These new laws hit many of the right notes. They reduce paperwork, save families money, support college and financial aid applications, and reinforce the message from public institutions and systems that every Illinois student deserves a
clear and supported path to higher education.
“In order to ensure that every student of every background in every corner of our state gets the education they deserve, we need to leave no stone unturned and no barrier unbroken,” said =Pritzker in a press release. “These bills streamline the application
process for college bound seniors in Illinois, enhance support for applicants, and open up new horizons for prospective students. Enacting these laws is what all government work should be about – making life easier for our people.”
Illinois is setting a clear example. These policies recognize that getting to and through college is not just about individual effort. It’s also about the systems and supports we build around students. When those systems work better, students are more
likely to succeed. Other states should take note. With strong leadership and cross-sector collaboration, it’s possible to make college-going more affordable, more automatic, and more equitable.
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