House passes bill to adjust completion-grant thresholds for higher-education students

The Georgia House on Feb. 19 approved House Bill 38, a measure to revise eligibility thresholds for the state’s completion grant program, by a vote of 169–3. Representative Martin, the bill’s sponsor, told the chamber the bill would "right size" thresholds for four-year and two-year program completion and extend the program’s sunset date.

Martin said the bill sets the threshold for four‑year programs at 70% completion and 45% for two‑year programs, and would extend the program’s sunset to June 30, 2023, language he described as consistent with prior years’ adjustments. He said almost 15,000 students have been helped by the completion grant.

The measure was reported favorably by the House Committee on Higher Education and brought to the floor by the sponsor. There were no substantive floor questions; after ordering the previous question and agreeing to the committee report, the clerk recorded passage, yeas 169, nays 3.

The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration; sponsors said the goal is to sustain a program their remarks described as successful in helping students finish postsecondary credentials.