Rauner signs legislation to help keep Illinois students in state

CHAMPAIGN, IL (KFVS) - According to the office of Gov. Bruce Rauner, the governor has signed legislation creating a merit-based scholarship program for Illinois students.

It will also create a task force to help share college and career interest data between high schools and higher education institutions.

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"Our future as a state is dependent upon people wanting to live, work and attend school here in Illinois," Rauner said. "We want to create a place where our young people want to learn and put what they have learned into practice through careers that enrich our economy and make Illinois a better place to live."

Senate Bill 2927 creates the AIM HIGH Grant Pilot Program, a merit-based scholarship for Illinois students who attend college in-state.

From 1991 to 2014, enrollment at Illinois public universities and community colleges declined by 50,000 students.

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