Northern Illinois University
Illinois Migrant Education Program

Certified recruiters are responsible for determining if a child or youth is eligible for the Migratory Education Program. The eligibility criteria below are specified in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

If you have any questions about eligibility, please contact Reina Franco at rfranco@niu.edu or 224-605-4743.

ESSA Eligibility Checklist

1: Is there a Migratory Worker or Fisher in the Family?

The worker must have made a qualifying move in the preceding 36 months. The move must have been:

 Due to economic necessity.

 From one residence to another residence.

 From one school district to another.

The worker must also have engaged in new temporary or seasonal qualifying work within 60 days of the move. If they did not, they must have both

 Sought new qualifying work.

 A recent history (36 months) of at least two moves in which they engaged in temporary seasonal qualifying work.

2: Is there a migratory child in the family?

The child must:

 Be younger than 22.

 Not have a high school diploma or equivalent degree.

The child must also have made a qualifying move in the preceding 36 months. The move must have been:

 Due to economic necessity.

 From one residence to another residence.

 From one school district to another.

The child must have made the move either:

 On their own as a migratory worker (refer to part 1).

 With a migratory worker, or to join or precede a migratory worker.

3: Is it qualifying work?

The work must be either:

 Seasonal (due to the cycles of nature), directly related to the touching of the raw product.

 Temporary (less than 12 months) directly related to the touching of the raw product.