IllinoisHB5460104th General Assembly (2025–2026)HouseWALLET

EDUC-SCH SOCIAL WORK SCHLRSHP

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Became Law

Summary

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Provides that the Post-Master of Social Work School Social Work Professional Educator License scholarships may also be known as School Social Work scholarships. Includes, as a qualified applicant subject to meeting the other requirements, (i) a person who is pursuing a clinical social work license or social work license and (ii) a person who will obtain a master's degree in social work from an approved program before enrolling the academic program that the scholarship would support. Allows scholarships to be applied to the payment of tuition and mandatory fees at a private, not-for-profit institution of higher education in the State that prepares students to obtain an Illinois Professional Educator License with an endorsement in School Social Work. Provides that a scholarship for a recipient attending a private, not-for-profit institution shall not exceed the maximum grant payable to a student enrolled in the most expensive comparable program of study at a public university in the State. Effective July 1, 2026.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Scholarships for Illinois school social workers

You can get a state scholarship to earn an Illinois Professional Educator License with a School Social Work endorsement. The Commission awards up to 250 scholarships each year beginning with the 2022–2023 school year, and awards depend on state funding. You must hold or be pursuing an Illinois social work license, have or will get an MSW from an approved program, be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, apply, and agree to take the required courses. The scholarship pays tuition and required fees at Illinois public universities or eligible private, nonprofit schools. At private schools, the award cannot be higher than the maximum grant for the most expensive similar public program. The Commission pays your school directly.

Work requirement and payback for scholarship recipients

If you accept the scholarship, you must start work as a school social worker in Illinois within one year after you graduate or stop enrollment. You must work at least 2 of the next 5 years at a public or nonpublic, not-for-profit preschool, elementary, or secondary school in Illinois. Time in the armed forces (up to 3 years), time with a temporary total disability (up to 3 years with a doctor’s affidavit), and time you are seeking but cannot find full-time work do not count against the 5 years. If you do not meet the work requirement, you must repay the unpaid share of your award with 5% interest, plus reasonable collection fees. You are not in violation while enrolled full-time in a related graduate program, during up to 3 years of armed service, during up to 3 years of temporary total disability, when you document you cannot find full-time school social work, or if you become permanently totally disabled.

Priority for returning scholarship students

When state funding is short, the Commission funds prior-year recipients who still qualify before new applicants. New qualified applicants get any remaining money.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Adriane L. Johnson

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Camille Y. Lilly

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Diane Blair-Sherlock

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Javier L. Cervantes

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Karina Villa

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Linda Holmes

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Mary Edly-Allen

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Matt Hanson

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Robert F. Martwick

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Sharon Chung

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Stephanie A. Kifowit

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Steve Stadelman

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 155 • No: 34

Senate vote 5/28/2026

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 58 • No: 0

Senate vote 5/6/2026

Do Pass Higher Education;

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote 4/15/2026

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 76 • No: 32

House vote 3/25/2026

Do Pass / Short Debate Higher Education Committee;

Yes: 8 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0798

    8/7/2026House
  2. Effective Date August 7, 2026

    8/7/2026House
  3. Governor Approved

    8/7/2026House
  4. Sent to the Governor

    6/26/2026House
  5. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Steve Stadelman

    6/1/2026Senate
  6. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Robert F. Martwick

    5/31/2026Senate
  7. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen

    5/29/2026Senate
  8. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Adriane L. Johnson

    5/28/2026Senate
  9. Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Javier L. Cervantes

    5/28/2026Senate
  10. Passed Both Houses

    5/28/2026House
  11. Third Reading - Passed; 058-000-000

    5/28/2026Senate
  12. Rule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 31, 2026

    5/22/2026Senate
  13. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 18, 2026

    5/14/2026Senate
  14. Second Reading

    5/14/2026Senate
  15. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Linda Holmes

    5/7/2026Senate
  16. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock

    5/6/2026House
  17. Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 7, 2026

    5/6/2026Senate
  18. Do Pass Higher Education; 013-000-000

    5/6/2026Senate
  19. Assigned to Higher Education

    4/28/2026Senate
  20. Referred to Assignments

    4/16/2026Senate
  21. First Reading

    4/16/2026Senate
  22. Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Karina Villa

    4/16/2026Senate
  23. Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading

    4/16/2026Senate
  24. Arrive in Senate

    4/16/2026Senate
  25. Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 076-032-000

    4/15/2026House

Bill Text

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