Section 1501.520  Lincoln's Challenge Scholarship Grants

a)         Lincoln's Challenge Scholarship funds shall be vouchered to community colleges.

b)         A student that earns a State of Illinois High School Diploma through graduation at the Lincoln's Challenge Academy or that attends the Lincoln's Challenge Academy but returns to, and earns a high school diploma from, a public high school recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education, will qualify for a Lincoln's Challenge Scholarship if the student meets the following criteria:

1)         Enrolls at an Illinois public community college in a certificate or degree program the next semester following graduation;

2)         Maintains and completes an academic course load of at least six credit hours in each fall and spring semester; and

3)         Presents the "notification of award" letter signed by the Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Board to the community college at the time of registration.

c)         The scholarship amount will be up to $2,000 per student per semester for up to four successive semesters, and must be used toward the completion of a degree or certificate program. Scholarships for the summer semester will not be awarded.

d)         The scholarship shall be used to cover the cost of education, which includes tuition, books, fees, and required educational supplies for specific programs or classes.

e)         Notwithstanding the requirement in subsection (b)(1), the scholarship may be deferred for up to two semesters through submission of a deferral application.  The application must be postmarked by August 10 for the fall semester and January 10 for the spring semester.  Deferral applications submitted electronically will be considered postmarked on the date sent.  The only criteria for deferral that must be met is timely submission of the request.

f)         To remain qualified for a Lincoln's Challenge Scholarship after initial award, each semester a student must:

1)         Submit a renewal application to ICCB requesting continuation of the scholarship for the following semester. 

2)         Submit a grade transcript showing successful completion of a minimum of six credit hours in the previous semester and a minimum Grade Point Average of 2.0.

3)         Submit a grade transcript and application postmarked by August 10 for application to the fall semester and January 1 for application to the spring semester. Applications submitted electronically will be considered postmarked on the date sent.

4)         Meet with the community college's designated Lincoln's Challenge Scholarship coordinator at the time of enrollment and at mid-semester, and arrange an exit interview before completing the semester.

5)         Comply with academic standards as defined by college policy.  Exceptions to this subsection (f)(5), such as extenuating circumstances, shall be documented and reviewed by ICCB staff and the college's Lincoln's Challenge Scholarship coordinator.

g)         Scholarship recipients shall notify ICCB of changes to contact information (including mailing address, email address, or phone number) or if the recipient enrolls in a community college other than the one listed on the original application.

h)         The grant will only reimburse the college at the in-district tuition rate.

i)          To receive the reimbursement, colleges must submit vouchers during the semester the student is enrolled or payment cannot be guaranteed.  The following information must be submitted to ICCB for each student:

1)         Name;

2)         Program of study;

3)         Course schedule (including credit hours); and

4)         Costs broken out by tuition, fees, books and required educational supplies.

j)          The number of scholarships awarded each year is contingent upon the amount of funds appropriated.  The scholarships cannot be guaranteed to students even if all criteria are met.  The distribution of available funds among new and renewed scholarships will be determined by the Illinois Community College Board to maximize use of the funds.

k)         Community colleges may credit student accounts pending reimbursement but are not required to waive tuition should funds not be appropriated.

l)          Scholarship awardees will receive a notification letter providing information on the scholarship's requirements and information to be provided to the community college for reimbursement. Scholarship awardees who become ineligible due to completing the scholarship, no longer meeting the requirements for the scholarship, or not requesting a deferral will be notified that their scholarship eligibility has been terminated.

(Source:  Amended at 50 Ill. Reg. 4131, effective March 2, 2026)