# Illinois HB3551: HIGHER ED-ADULT FLEXIBLE GRANT

Illinois HB3551, HIGHER ED-ADULT FLEXIBLE GRANT, is a 104th General Assembly (2025–2026) House bill sponsored by Michael Crawford (Democratic); status in committee, last action 2025-03-21 (Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Norma Hernandez) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB3551-2025-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Illinois HB3551
- State: Illinois
- Session: 104th General Assembly (2025–2026)
- Title: HIGHER ED-ADULT FLEXIBLE GRANT
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2025-02-07
- Last action: 2025-03-21, Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Norma Hernandez
- Sponsor: Michael Crawford (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 4
- Subjects: higher education
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall establish the Adult Learner Flexible Education Grant Program to facilitate access to online postsecondary education provided by a qualified institution of higher learning, including a not-for-profit postsecondary institution that offers classes exclusively online and meets other criteria, for adults over the age of 25 pursuing careers in fields facing workforce shortages, as determined by the Commission. Provides that, beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year, subject to appropriation, the Commission shall receive and consider applications for grant assistance. Provides that an applicant is eligible for a grant if the Commission finds that the applicant meets specified criteria. Provides that all grants are applicable only to tuition and mandatory fees. Provides that the Commission shall determine the grant amount for each student, which amount must not exceed $5,000. Sets forth provisions concerning conditions on the grant amount, grant applications, the distribution of grant funds, and rulemaking. Effective July 1, 2025.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Michael Crawford (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Barbara Hernandez (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Marcus C. Evans, Jr. (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Nicholas K. Smith (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Norma Hernandez (Democratic), House

## Actions (11)

- 2025-03-21: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Norma Hernandez (House)
- 2025-03-21: Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee (House)
- 2025-03-20: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Barbara Hernandez (House)
- 2025-03-20: House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee (House)
- 2025-03-20: House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Michael Crawford (House)
- 2025-03-19: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr. (House)
- 2025-03-18: Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Nicholas K. Smith (House)
- 2025-03-11: Assigned to Higher Education Committee (House)
- 2025-02-18: Referred to Rules Committee (House)
- 2025-02-18: First Reading (House)
- 2025-02-07: Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Michael Crawford (House)

## Bill text

- House Amendment 1: [PDF](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB3551ham001.pdf)
- Introduced: [PDF](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB3551.pdf)

## Related bills

- HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS (passed house)
- SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS (passed senate)
- HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY (in committee)
- HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT (in committee)
- SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL (passed senate)
- SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION (signed)

## Sources
- [House Amendment 1 (PDF)](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB3551ham001.pdf)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB3551.pdf)

## Related
- [HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB5198-2025-2026)
- [SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB1937-2025-2026)
- [HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB2563-2025-2026)
- [HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB4701-2025-2026)
- [SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3008-2025-2026)
- [SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3484-2025-2026)
- [Illinois bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois/bills)
- [Illinois state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB3551-2025-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).