Section 2740.20  Applicant Eligibility

a)         A qualified applicant shall:

1)         be a citizen of the United States or eligible noncitizen;

2)         be a resident of Illinois;

3)         be enrolled at least half-time in a degree program (see 34 CFR 668.8) at the junior or senior class level as determined by the institution;

4)         be enrolled at a public or not-for-profit private institution that is approved to participate in the Monetary Award Program (MAP);

5)         have an Expected Family Contribution of no more than $9,000 as calculated by the federal government using the family's financial information as reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); and

6)         have maintained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent while enrolled in an associate's degree program at a public community college, and while pursuing a baccalaureate degree, continue to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or its equivalent and make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree.

b)         Eligibility is restricted to undergraduate students.

1)         CCTG recipients must not have received a baccalaureate degree.

2)         Graduate students are not eligible for CCTG assistance. For purposes of this Part, an institution of higher learning shall classify as a "graduate student" any student who:

A)        is enrolled in an academic program or course above the baccalaureate level that leads to any degree above the baccalaureate level; and

B)        is not eligible to receive federal financial assistance (see 34 CFR 674.2, 675.2, 676.2) as an undergraduate student; and

C)        has completed the equivalent of at least three years of full-time postsecondary study, either prior to entrance into the academic program or as part of the academic program itself.