School & Education resources

Enrolling a student in school - residency requirements

Describes who can enroll a child in school and how to do so.

Guide

Going to school as an undocumented immigrant

Explains the rights of undocumented immigrant children to access public education.

Guide

Educational rights of children experiencing homelessness

Learn about the educational rights of children experiencing homelessness and services available to help, such transportation and fee waivers.

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What do you need to graduate high school?

Information about high school graduation requirements for students in Illinois. The law also requires that all high school students take a statewide assessment and fill out a FAFSA form.

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Discipline, expulsion, or suspension

Understanding suspensions as a student

Explains why your child can be suspended and how long a suspension can last

Guide

Understanding expulsion as a student

Explains why a student can be expelled and how that process is decided.

Guide

Handling a child's suspension from school

Steps for handling the suspension of your child from school, including appealing the suspension and asking the school for your child's homework.

How-To

Handling a child's expulsion from school

Steps to handle your child's expulsion from receiving a written letter of expulsion to how the expulsion hearing works.

How-To

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Bullying

What Illinois laws take effect on January 1, 2026?

Learn more about new Illinois laws passed in 2025, including those going into effect on January 1, 2026.

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Preventing bullying at school

Learn how to spot, prevent, and report bullying at school.

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Paying for school

Getting school fee waivers and free lunch

All Illinois students have a right to attend school for free but some fees still apply.

Guide

Applying for a school fee waiver

Steps to apply for a school fee waiver from the forms you need to how long the process takes.

How-To

College scholarships and resources for undocumented students

Describes scholarships and other resources available to undocumented students in Illinois and includes links to learn more.

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Scholarship resources for college students

Learn more about what you should keep in mind in your search for scholarships.

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Students with disabilities

Understanding the special education process

Learn about the overall process for children to get special education services, including testing, creating an IEP, and what to do when you disagree with the school.

Guide

Understanding discipline of special education students

A student with a disability can be suspended for the same reasons as a student without a disability. But there is a limit to how many days a student with a disability may be suspended in the same school year.

Guide

Resolving special education conflicts

Explains how to resolve conflicts in special education.

Guide

Requesting a special education evaluation

Learn how to ask the school to evaluate your child for special education and related services.

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Discrimination at school

Bathroom access in Illinois

Learn about the right to access public bathrooms in Illinois, including Chicago and Cook County.

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Student loans

Forgiveness, cancellation, and discharge of student loans

Learn about about different loan forgiveness options, who can qualify, and where to find more resources.

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Your rights as a college student in Illinois

Learn more about how to access transcripts, student debt on credit reports, and withdrawing from school during hardship.

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Student loan acronyms and phrases

Learn the common acronyms and phrases used in student loans.

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What is FAFSA?

If you are a public high school student in Illinois, you are required to file a FAFSA to graduate and receive a high school diploma. Learn more about what that is.

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Student privacy

Understanding privacy rights in school

Explains students' privacy rights and how to access their school records.

Guide

Filing a privacy violation complaint against a school

Steps to file a privacy violation complaint against a school district with the US Department of Education.

How-To

School searches and student privacy

Explains when schools can conduct searches, and the type of searches they can conduct. Also discusses technology privacy and protections.

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Are locker or strip searches in public schools legal?

Information about the search of students and their property

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Adult continuing education

TANF payment levels

Gives details about the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and explains that the amount you receive from TANF depends on a few factors, including your income.

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Applying for TANF benefits

Steps to get Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) from the forms you need to how long the process takes.

How-To

Job training and resources for unemployed workers

Learn about resources and training for people who are looking for work.

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Getting temporary financial help with TANF

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) gives temporary financial help to pregnant women and families.

Guide

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Other school and education issues

How long must a school day and school year last?

Explains the standard length of a school day and a school year based on Illinois law.

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What do you need to graduate high school?

Information about high school graduation requirements for students in Illinois. The law also requires that all high school students take a statewide assessment and fill out a FAFSA form.

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What is FAFSA?

If you are a public high school student in Illinois, you are required to file a FAFSA to graduate and receive a high school diploma. Learn more about what that is.

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School & Education

School & Education