JB Pritzker, Governor, State of Illinois

Who Should Apply

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) administers the Grant Program for Exonerees to provide financial assistance to individuals who have been issued a pardon from the Governor of the State of Illinois on the grounds of innocence of the crime for which they had been imprisoned, or have received a certificate of innocence from a circuit court.

In addition, the grant may be used to pay costs associated with obtaining:

  • a high school equivalency certificate from an Illinois Community College Board-approved provider, and up to one retest on each test module, and/or
  • an official transcript of test scores after successful completion of the high school equivalency test.

Read all the information provided with the online application to learn about this program’s application process (including required documentation and deadlines) and eligibility requirements.