Section 2760.30  Program Procedures

a)         In order for its students to be considered for the State Scholar Program, a high school is to submit, in a format approved by ISAC, class ranks as of the third semester prior to graduation for students who desire to be considered for the Program.  For high schools that cannot provide class ranks, non-weighted grade point averages as of the third semester prior to graduation must be provided.

1)         Class ranks are calculated so that the class rank for the lowest grade point average (GPA) equals the total number of students being ranked. 

2)         The equivalent term rank shall be provided for students planning to graduate in other than the traditional four years (see Section 2760.20(b)).

b)         Test scores submitted in accordance with this Part shall be converted to an Illinois Standard Test Score as follows:

1)         The ACT composite score shall be the Illinois Standard Test Score.

2)         SAT critical reading and math scores shall be added, and then converted to the Illinois Standard Test Score using the official ACT-SAT Concordance (SAT Critical Reading + Math (Score Range)) table available at ACT's website.

c)         High school class ranks submitted in accordance with this Part shall be converted to an Illinois Standard Rank Score as follows:

1)         First, determine the percentile of the class rank for each student in accordance with the following formula:

            Percentile = [Size of Class MINUS (Rank in Class minus .5)] divided by Size of Class

2)         Then, use the table below to convert a percentile class rank to the Illinois Standard Rank Score.

d)         An Illinois Weighted Selection Score for each student shall be computed by adding the Illinois Standard Test Score to the Illinois Standard Rank Score.

e)         In any academic year, the number of State Scholars is approximately equal to ten percent of the estimated total number of Illinois high school graduates. ISAC annually establishes a minimum Weighted Selection Score to yield this result.

f)         Notwithstanding the previous provisions in this Section, any student nominated by his or her school shall be designated a State Scholar if that student achieves a score at or above the 95^th percentile on the ACT, or the equivalent on a comparable examination, regardless of that student's class rank.

g)         A Certificate of Achievement and congratulatory letter are issued for each State Scholar.  Subject to appropriation, each State Scholar who enrolls or is enrolled at least half-time in his or her first year at an Illinois institution of higher learning shall also receive a one-time grant of $1,000 to be applied to tuition and mandatory fees. A student who has been awarded a Merit Recognition Scholarship may not be awarded a grant under this Part.

h)         A listing of State Scholars shall be available upon request to colleges, members of the General Assembly and to the media.

i)          High school officials or student candidates shall have a period of 60 days following the announcement of the State Scholars to appeal a student's status. (See 23 Ill. Adm. Code 2700.70, Appeal Procedures.)

j)          If an appeal concerning an applicant's eligibility is received, ISAC shall request the high school verify the reported data.  If the conflict remains, ISAC shall conduct an audit of the high school's records in accordance with 23 Ill. Adm. Code 2700.60.

(Source:  Amended at 39 Ill. Reg. 8447, effective July 1, 2015)