Section 270.20  Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants shall be school districts serving any of Grades 6 through 12 operating at least one school in which 40 percent or more of the students are classified as "low-income" (i.e., eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals under the School Breakfast and Lunch Program Act [105 ILCS 125]).  Public university laboratory schools approved by the State Board of Education pursuant to Section 18-8.05(K) of the School Code [105 ILCS 5/18-8.05(K)], area vocational centers, and charter schools shall be eligible to apply on the same basis as school districts (see 105 ILCS 5/2-3.109a, 2-3.109b, and 27A-11.5, respectively).  For purposes of this Part, the term "district" shall be understood to include all these eligible entities.  An applicant chosen for funding shall not subsequently lose eligibility due solely to a change in the low-income status of its schools.