General Assembly Scholarship Program Still Alive; Pihos Opposes New Opt-out Language

Legislation to terminate the controversial General Assembly Scholarship Program in Illinois was derailed Thursday when a key legislative committee negated the bill by replacing the language to state that legislators could simply choose to opt out of providing tuition waivers to Illinois’ state-funded colleges and universities. The original bill to terminate the program was sponsored by Representatives Sandra Pihos (R-42nd).

“I view the addition of this unnecessary amendment as the creation of an obstacle to hearing my legislation,” said Pihos. “Legislators already have the ability to opt out of the tuition waiver program and, in fact, last year 28 lawmakers did.”

According to Pihos, last year 21 state Representatives and seven Senators did not participate in the General Assembly Scholarship Program, but in spite of their decisions not to participate, $13,931,500 in tuition waivers were provided to 1,487 students for this current year.

“I’m incredibly disappointed that the majority of the members of the House are not looking for opportunities to save our higher education institutions and, therefore, our students any money,” Pihos said. “The costs associated with these waivers will continue to be passed along to other students and families through tuition increases.”

When Pihos filed the bill in January, she cited a need for fiscal responsibility and higher ethical standards for Illinois policymakers.

“I still believe very strongly that we can no longer offer these waivers,” said Pihos. “In addition to the financial burden we are placing on these institutions of higher learning, the manner in which the waivers are distributed is very arbitrary- there is no standardized method in place for how they are awarded.” 

In a separate bill related to accountability at institutions of higher education, Pihos  passed language in House Bill 3219 on Wednesday that would increase oversight over colleges and universities that receive state funding.

The provisions of House Bill 3219 would require each college or university to submit to the Board of Higher Education an annual report each year outlining any tuition increases for the upcoming academic year and listing the closure of academic programs and other cost-saving measures undertaken by the university during the previous fiscal year. The bill also would require the Board of Higher Education to publicize the reports on its Web site and provide an opportunity for public comment on the reports.

“These additional layers of oversight will improve transparency a great deal,” said Pihos. “Its important that we are able to see exactly what steps these institutions are taking to try to control costs.”

General Assembly Scholarship Awards from Fiscal Year 2010

School                                           # Waivers                    Cost of Waivers

Chicago State University              27                               $106,100

Eastern Illinois University           70                               $360,800

Governors State University         5                                  $27,800

Illinois State University                134                              $962,100

Northeastern Illinois University   37                            $167,200

Northern Illinois University       126                              $716,500

Southern Illinois University       202                             $1,549,400

Western Illinois University         106                              $545,900

University of Illinois                       780                             $9,475,700

 Total                                                     1,487                          $13,931,500