TITLE 32: ENERGY
CHAPTER II: DEPARTMENT OF NUCLEAR SAFETY
SUBCHAPTER e: GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
PART 700
DEPARTMENT OF NUCLEAR SAFETY SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Section
700.10 Purpose
700.20 Definitions
700.30 Scope of Science Education Scholarship Program
700.40 Qualification Criteria
700.50 Conditions of Award
700.60 Scholarship Application and Selection Process
700.70 Scholarship Application Procedures
AUTHORITY: Implemented and authorized by the Nuclear Safety Education
Assistance Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1988 Supp., ch. 144, par. 2504 et seq.).
SOURCE: Adopted at 13 Ill. Reg. 17444, effective October 30, 1989.
Section 700.10 Purpose
The purpose of this Part is to implement a scholarship program to help advance
the body of knowledge and assure the continued availability and expertise
regarding radiation safety matters by supporting educational programs and
research related to nuclear safety, including radiation protection and nuclear
engineering, in Illinois public institutions of higher education, and by
supporting participation in these programs by qualified students.
Section 700.20 Definitions
"Act" means the Nuclear Safety Education Assistance Act (Ill. Rev.
Stat. 1988 Supp., ch. 144, par. 2504 et seq.).
"Adult" means a person eighteen years of age or older.
"Approved program of research" means an academic investigation
approved by and conducted by or under the control of a public
institution of higher education, as determined by the Director of
the Department in accordance with the provisions of this Part.
"Department" means the Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety.
"Director" means the Director of the Illinois Department of
Nuclear Safety.
"Eligible program of study" means a formal course of study leading
to a Baccalaureate or higher degree from a public institution of
higher education, as determined by the Director. Eligible
programs of study include, but are not limited to, the following:
Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Geology, Health Physics,
Hydrogeology, Industrial Hygiene, and Physics. Expertise in the
foregoing subjects is needed for the Department to fulfill its
statutory responsibilities under the Radiation Protection Act
(Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 111�, par. 211 et seq.), the Illinois
Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987,
ch. 111�, par. 241-1 et seq.), and the Illinois Nuclear Safety
Preparedness Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 111� par. 4301 et
seq.).
"Illinois Resident" means a person who, at the time of applying
for a scholarship under this Part, is either:
An adult whose domicile has been in Illinois for a period of
at least two years immediately preceding submission of an
application for a scholarship;
An adult whose domicile is in Illinois and at least one of
whose parents has established and is maintaining a residence
in Illinois;
A minor whose domicile is in Illinois. A minor's domicile is
that of his parents if they are living together, or that of
the living parent if one is deceased, or if the parents are
separated or divorced, that of the parent to whom the
custody of the minor has been awarded by court decree or
order, or in the absence of a court decree or order, that of
parent with whom the minor has continuously resided for a
period of at least two years, or if the minor has a legal
guardian other than a parent, the residence of that legal
guardian; or
An emancipated minor who has maintained a domicile within
the State of Illinois for a period of at least two
consecutive years immediately prior to applying for a
scholarship or whose parents have established and are
maintaining a domicile in the State. An emancipated minor
is one who is completely or predominantly self-supporting.
Marriage shall be regarded as affecting the emancipation of
minors, whether male or female.
"Minor" means a person under the age of eighteen.
"Public institution of higher education" means an Illinois public
institution of higher education as defined in "AN ACT creating a
Board of Higher Education, defining its powers and duties, making
an appropriation therefor, and repealing an Act herein named"
(Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 144, par. 181 et seq.).
"Scholar" means the recipient of a scholarship for an eligible
program of study leading to the award of a baccalaureate or higher
degree.
Section 700.30 Scope of Science Education Scholarship Program
a) The Science Education Scholarship Program includes scholarships
and grants for special study and education projects designed to
enhance the study of and body of expertise in those sciences
pertaining to nuclear safety and related fields.
b) Under the scholarship program the Department shall, in accordance
with the provisions of this Part, award fully funded college
scholarships. The Department's scholarships will pay the scholars
for educational expenses associated with attending a public
institution of higher education. Expenses paid by the Department
shall be limited to tuition and fees, room and board, required
books, and miscellaneous expenses (e.g. travel, daily expenses,
etc.). Miscellaneous expenses will be limited to $200 dollars per
month. If a scholar chooses to live off campus, the scholarship
will provide room and board funds only up to that amount assessed
for on campus room and board by the public institution of higher
education that the scholar will be attending. If the public
institution of higher education that the scholar will be attending
does not provide room and board, the Department will provide room
and board funds only up to that amount estimated by the public
institution of higher education as being a reasonable estimate for
off campus room and board. In the event that no such reasonable
estimate is provided to the Department, the Department will
determine, by consulting other area institutions of higher
education, and provide a reasonable sum per semester towards room
and board.
c) In order to promote greater understanding of the role of the
administrative agency in assuring radiation safety, the Director
also may offer temporary or part-time employment with the
Department to scholars.
Section 700.40 Qualification Criteria
a) Basic Eligibility Requirements. The applicant must:
1) be an Illinois resident at the time of application; and
2) be accepted by or enrolled in a public institution of higher
education as a full-time student, in an eligible program of
study. The program of study must have direct application to
the fields of endeavor of the Department (e.g. radiation
protection, environmental monitoring, health physics).
b) Academic qualifications:
1) If the applicant is a high school senior, the applicant
must:
A) be recommended by his or her science department
director and high school principal,
B) be in the upper 20% academically of his or her
graduating class, and
C) have displayed an interest in, and acumen for, the
physical or biological sciences. This display may
take the form, for example, of academic achievement,
participation in science fairs, pursuing science
courses at community colleges, performing independent
extracurricular research, etc.
2) If the applicant is an undergraduate student, the applicant
must:
A) be enrolled in an eligible program of study,
B) be recommended for the award by the dean or chairman
of the science department in which the applicant is
pursuing an eligible program of study, and
C) have an overall academic average of B or better and an
overall average of B or better in the science
department courses.
3) If the applicant is a graduate student, the applicant must:
A) be recommended for the award by the dean or chairman
of the science department in which the applicant is
pursuing an eligible program of study,
B) have or have graduated with an overall academic
average of B or better and an overall average of B+ or
better in the science department courses, and
C) describe the relevance of his proposed research
program to either the statutory duties of the
Department or the contribution of the proposed program
to the body of knowledge of radiation safety.
Section 700.50 Conditions of Award
The applicant must agree in writing to the following conditions:
a) The scholar will not change his or her choice of college or
program of study without first obtaining the approval of the
Director.
b) If the scholar withdraws from, is dismissed from, or fails to
continue to pursue an eligible program of study, the scholarship
will be withdrawn and the scholar shall repay the State of
Illinois in full for all expenses paid to that date in connection
with the scholarship. Repayment shall be in accordance with the
provisions of subsection (d).
AGENCY NOTE: A scholar whose permanent residence changes from
Illinois to another State, after selection for the scholarship
program, will continue to be eligible for continuation in the
scholarship program so long as the scholar continues to pursue an
eligible program of study at an Illinois institution of higher
education and meets the scholastic standards specified in this
Part.
c) If the scholar is an undergraduate student, the scholar must
maintain both a cumulative average in all subjects of B and an
average of B or better in the science department program of study.
If the scholar is a graduate student, he must maintain a
cumulative average of B+ or better. Averages shall be evaluated
at the end of each regular grading period of the public
institution of higher education. If the scholar fails to maintain
these academic standards, the scholarship will be withdrawn and
the scholar shall be responsible for repaying the State of
Illinois in full for all expenses paid to the scholar in
connection with the scholarship up to the date of withdrawal of
the scholarship. A scholar who fails to maintain the required
average in all subjects or in the eligible program of study,
evaluated at the end of each grading period, may submit a letter
to the Director requesting to be granted probationary status for
one grading period in order to raise his or her grades to the
required level. The Director will grant such request if the
scholar has shown that the failure to attain the required averages
resulted from good cause, e.g., illness, family responsibilities,
etc. Failure to attain the required cumulative averages at the
end of the probationary period will result in the loss of the
scholarship and the scholar will be required to repay the State of
Illinois in full for all expenses paid in connection with the
scholarship to the date of withdrawal of the scholarship. Such
repayment shall be in accordance with the provisions of subsection
(d).
d) If the scholar is required to repay the scholarship because the
scholarship is withdrawn (see subsection (b)) or because the
scholar has failed to maintain the required cumulative grade
averages (see subsection (c)) the repayment shall be made in equal
monthly installments over a period of ten years at ten percent
simple interest. There shall be no early repayment penalty. The
first repayment shall be due on a date specified by the Director,
which date shall be no earlier then twelve (12) months after the
scholar has ceased to be enrolled as a full-time student in a
public institution of higher education.
e) If such employment is offered, scholars that graduate without
having the scholarship withdrawn must agree to accept employment,
upon graduation, with the Department, the operator of a regional
facility for the disposal of low-level radioactive waste in
Illinois, or a public utility owning or operating a nuclear power
plant in Illinois. Mandatory employment shall be for a period of
one calendar year for each academic year of scholarship period
accepted. Partial academic years shall be prorated. If
employment with the Department, the low-level radioactive waste
disposal facility or a nuclear power utility is not offered at
least 30 days prior to graduation, the applicant is under no
obligation to accept employment with the Department, the operator
of a regional facility for disposal of low-level radioactive
waste, or a public utility or to repay the scholarship expenses.
Fulfillment of the employment obligation may be deferred during
any period in which the scholar participates in full-time graduate
studies leading towards an advanced degree.
f) If the scholar completes the program but refuses to accept offered
employment with the Department, the operator of a regional
facility for the disposal of low-level radioactive waste in
Illinois, or a public utility owning or operating a nuclear power
plant in Illinois, he or she is required to repay the State of
Illinois in full for all expenses paid by the Department in
connection with the scholarship. If the scholar terminates
employment, for any reason other than to pursue full-time graduate
studies, or if the scholar has his or her employment terminated
for cause prior to completion of the mandatory employment period,
he or she is required to repay the State of Illinois in full for
all expenses associated with the scholarship, prorated for the
unexpired mandatory employment period. If the scholar is required
to repay the scholarship under this section, the repayment shall
be made in equal monthly installments over a period of two years
at ten percent simple interest. There shall be no penalty for
early payment. If termination by the employer is other than for
cause, the scholar shall be under no obligation to repay the
scholarship expenses.
Section 700.60 Scholarship Application and Selection Process
a) Scholarship applicants may apply for consideration for the award
of Department scholarship by submitting an application, on a form
provided by the Director of the Department. The application shall
include the following information:
1) Evidence that the State residency requirement has been met;
2) Evidence of acceptance at or enrollment in a public
institution of higher education. Letters of acceptance must
be received by the Department before the Selection Board
convenes;
3) For high school seniors, transcripts showing the applicant's
high school graduating academic average;
4) For high school seniors, written recommendations of the
science department director and high school principal;
5) For undergraduate and graduate students, transcripts showing
the applicant's cumulative college academic average, and
grades in science department courses;
6) For undergraduate and graduate students, written
recommendations of the science department chairman and
college dean;
7) A statement of the applicant's personal educational goals,
including a description of the scope and nature of the
proposed program of study;
8) A statement describing the applicant's financial need.
b) Every applicant (if the applicant is an adult residing outside his
or her parents' home) or the parents or legal guardian of every
applicant citing financial need is required to submit financial
information, which will be kept confidential. All confidential
statements must be signed, certifying the parents' willingness to
submit an official copy of their federal and state income tax
returns, if requested. A statement of financial need must
substantiate the applicant's inability to pursue or complete the
eligible course of study due to lack of financial support from all
other sources.
c) The Director will convene and chair a Science Education
Scholarship Selection Board to review applications for the
scholarship. The Science Education Scholarship Selection Board
will consist of the Director; the Managers of the Offices of:
Environmental Safety, Administrative Support, Nuclear Facility
Safety, and Radiation Safety; Chief Legal Counsel; and the
Training/Human Resources Coordinator (non-voting).
1) Selection will be based on:
A) Applicability of the proposed program of study to
nuclear safety objectives, projects, or needs,
B) Demonstrated acumen and scientific competence of the
applicant,
C) Recommendations of school officials, and
D) Financial need.
2) If the Board is unable to select a scholarship recipient
based solely on the written applications, the Board will
require those applicants who are still under consideration
after review of the written applications to appear before
the Science Education Scholarship Selection Board. The
purpose of the appearance would be to better define the
applicant's stated educational program objectives and the
relevance of these objectives to the Department's statutory
duties. Information obtained during the appearances will be
used to select among those applicants still under
consideration.
3) In awarding scholarships under this Part, the Director shall
give preference to qualified applicants who reside in a
county where a regional facility for the disposal of low-
level radioactive waste is located as provided in Section 6
of the Act.
4) In awarding scholarships under this Part, the Director will
actively encourage applications from and give due
consideration to qualified applicants who are minority
persons or females, as defined in the Minority and Female
Business Enterprise Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 127, par.
132.600 et seq.).
Section 700.70 Scholarship Application Procedures
a) Each applicant must submit:
1) an application, as provided in Section 700.60(a), with all
written recommendations, transcripts and personal
statements, by the announced deadline;
2) his or her social security number; and
3) a description of all additional gifts, grants, financial
aid, specifying amounts and restrictions on its use.
b) Information submitted on or in support of an application is not
subject to return to the applicant.
c) Unless the applicant is requested to appear before the Science
Education Scholarship Selection Board, the selection will be based
on the submitted documents and statements.
d) Any change in the applicant's circumstances (e.g. acceptance into
the college cited in the application; change in choice of program
of study, financial need, etc.) must be submitted by separate
letter prior to the convening of the Science Education Scholarship
Selection Board. Failure to do so may be cause for
disqualification.
e) Incomplete applications will be placed in a pending status until
all information is submitted. It is the responsibility of the
applicant to ensure that all information is submitted.
Applications not complete when the Science Education Scholarship
Selection Board convenes will not be considered.
f) Acceptance of any monetary award intended to cover all or part of
tuition and fees, room and board, books and required materials
will reduce the amount of support provided by the Department by an
equal amount.
g) Submission of an application containing false statements or data
shall be cause for disqualification of the application and
revocation of a scholarship. The scholar shall repay in full all
expenses paid by the Department prior to revocation of the
scholarship, in accordance with Section 700.50(d).
