Georgia bill would suspend state scholarships for students convicted of campus violence

Representative Virginia Fleming introduced House Bill 660, a proposal to suspend state scholarship, grant or loan eligibility for one semester for students convicted of certain acts of violence, vandalism or similar unlawful aggression while attending Georgia postsecondary institutions.

The bill applies to recipients of state financial aid programs, including HOPE, at public and private institutions. "We're not talking here about peaceful protest," Fleming said, adding the penalty would apply only after due process and a conviction for violent or property-damaging conduct. "Once the line is crossed and there are certain crimes you commit, you will lose HOPE if convicted for one semester." (Representative Virginia Fleming, presentation.)