School & Education

Schoolbook and pencil

School & Education

School residency or enrollment
(12 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
(12 resources)
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
(1 resources)
Preventing bullying at school
Learn how to spot, prevent, and report bullying at school.
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Paying for school
(7 resources)
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
(19 resources)
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
(1 resources)
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
(8 resources)
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
(9 resources)
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
(10 resources)
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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Scholarship resources for college students
Learn more about what you should keep in mind in your search for scholarships.
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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
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
(13 resources)
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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Scholarship resources for college students
Learn more about what you should keep in mind in your search for scholarships.
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