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The Grant Program for Exonerees (Program) provides direct grant assistance to an individual who has received a pardon from the Governor of the State of Illinois stating that the pardon is issued on the grounds of innocence of the crime for which the individual was imprisoned or an individual who has received a certificate of innocence from a circuit court pursuant to Section 2-702 of the Code of Civil Procedure [735 ILCS 5]. Grants are limited based on funding levels appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly.

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110 ILCS 947/62

23 ILLINOIS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE CH. XIX, SEC. 2743

The Grant Program for Exonerees (Program) provides direct grant assistance to an individual who has received a pardon from the Governor of the State of Illinois stating that the pardon is issued on the grounds of innocence of the crime for which the individual was imprisoned or an individual who has received a certificate of innocence from a circuit court pursuant to Section 2-702 of the Code of Civil Procedure [735 ILCS 5]. Grants are limited based on funding levels appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly.

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Individuals;

A qualified applicant must: 1) be a resident of Illinois; 2) have received a pardon issued on the grounds of innocence, or a certificate of innocence from a circuit court; 3) be an exonerated person who either: has not yet received a high school diploma or a high school equivalency certificate and is completing a high school equivalency preparation course through an Illinois Community Board-approved provider and/or is seeking an Illinois high school equivalency certificate; or B) is enrolled at an ISAC-approved public university or community college in an eligible degree or certificate program (see 34 CFR 668.8) for either a semester or quarter term, throughout the institution's tuition refund/withdrawal adjustment period; 4) maintain satisfactory academic progress as determined by the institution; 5) not be in default on any student loan, nor owe a refund on any state or federal grant (if you are in default, you may re-establish your eligibility); and 6) not be incarcerated during the term(s) for which the grant is being requested.

Individuals

Direct Payments for Specific Use

Education

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Complete the Grant Program for Exonerees Application (https://www.isac.org/students/during-college/applying-for-financial-aid/applications/exonerees-apply/) A PDF version of the application may also be downloaded/printed and submitted to ISAC.

Applications are processed in date-received (i.e., "first come, first served") order. For priority consideration each year, your complete application – including any supporting documentation, as outlined on the application – must be submitted (if applying online) or postmarked (if applying with the PDF version) as soon as possible after it becomes available.

Payment of Tuition and Mandatory Fees The participating college certifies student eligibility and then – after the application deadline has passed for each term – submits a payment request on behalf of the student. ISAC processes the payment request and submits the information to the State Comptroller’s Office. Reimbursement of Costs Associated with Obtaining High School Equivalency Certificate Awards are paid directly to the grant recipient. After ISAC confirms that an applicant is eligible for reimbursement, the necessary information is submitted to the State Comptroller's Office for processing so that the recipient can be paid. Because the number of grants awarded is based on limited annual funding, it is possible that not all applicants will receive a grant.

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Dependent on the level of State of Illinois funding at the time of the request, the amount of time it takes for funds to arrive at the college can vary anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Depending on the college, students may be responsible for payment until program funds are received.

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Qualified applicants may receive Grant Program for Exonerees benefits for the equivalent of four regular school years (eight semesters) of full-time enrollment, which is measured in eligibility units. Recipients may accumulate up to 48 eligibility units. Full program benefits may be extended for one additional term if the recipient has accumulated fewer than 48 eligibility units but does not have enough units remaining for the number of hours in which they are enrolled for that term. Eligibility units are based on the enrolled hours for a particular term, not the dollar amount of the benefits paid.

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Benefits are limited to the full-time enrollment equivalent of 8 semesters or 12 quarters of payment for undergraduate or graduate study. Recipients may accumulate up to 48 eligibility units. The Grant Program for Exonerees funds shall be applicable only to tuition and mandatory fees and only for two semesters or three quarters in a regular school year.

The Program provides direct grant assistance to an individual who has received a pardon from the Governor of the State of Illinois stating that the pardon is issued on the grounds of innocence of the crime for which the individual was imprisoned or an individual who has received a certificate of innocence from a circuit court pursuant to Section 2-702 of the Code of Civil Procedure [735 ILCS 5]. Grants are limited based on funding levels appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly.

https://www.isac.org/e-library/documents/administrative-rules/2023-24-isac-rules/2743-Exonerees.pdf This program is exempt from the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (30 ILCS 708) because grants are paid on behalf of an individual beneficiary.

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1755 Lake Cook Road Deerfield, IL 60015-5209

https://www.isac.org/

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12/28/2021

FY 2020 : $150,000
FY 2021 : $150,000
FY 2022 : $150,000
FY 2023 : $150,000
FY 2024 : $150,000
FY 2025 : $150,000