JB Pritzker, Governor, State of Illinois

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, you must:

  • be an Illinois resident
  • have received from the Governor of the State of Illinois a pardon that was issued on the grounds of innocence of the crime for which you had been imprisoned, or have received a certificate of innocence from a circuit court
  • 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 College Board-approved provider (currently GED® or HiSET®) and/or is seeking an Illinois high school equivalency certificate; or
    • is enrolled at an Illinois public college or community college in an eligible degree or certificate program
  • maintian satisfactory academic progress as determined by your college
  • not be in default on any student loan, nor owe a refund on any state or federal grant
  • not be incarcerated during the term(s) for which the grant is being requested

Please note that an applicant does not have to demonstrate financial need to receive this grant.