1. (a) Under the Community College Transfer Grant Program, grants must be made on behalf of students who are residents of this State and who meet all of the following qualifications:

   1. (1) Have received an associate's degree at a public community college located in this State.
   2. (2) Have enrolled in an institution of higher education located in this State by the fall semester following the award of the associate's degree.
   3. (3) Have applied for financial aid, including completing and submitting a free application for federal student aid.
   4. (4) Have financial need, defined as an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of no more than $9,000 as calculated by the federal government using the family's financial information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Only students who maintained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent while enrolled in an associate's degree program at a public community college located in this State are eligible to receive a grant under this Act.
2. (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Commission shall consider an applicant eligible for a grant under this Section if the Commission finds that the applicant is (i) a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen and (ii) a resident of this State.

3. (c) Eligibility for a grant under the Community College Transfer Grant Program is limited to 2 academic years or 60 credit hours and must be used only for undergraduate collegiate work.

   To remain eligible for a grant under this program, a student must continue to demonstrate financial need, as defined in this Section, maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent, and make satisfactory academic progress towards a degree.

(Source: P.A. 96-1299, eff. 7-26-10.)