Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House amends New Century Scholarship bill to extend completion dates and allow limited fund adjustments
Summary
The House amended HB 206 to clarify New Century Scholarship eligibility: students who leave high school early may have until Sept. 1 of their graduating year to complete an associate degree and scholarship duration remains four semesters; the amendment allows limited award adjustments if funds are insufficient.
The House considered amendments to HB 206, a bill updating the New Century Scholarship program for students who earn an associate degree while finishing high school. Representative Bradshaw said the bill clarifies timing and eligibility: students who finish high-school requirements early would have until Sept. 1 of their class year to complete the associate degree and remain eligible. The amendment also clarifies that the scholarship covers four semesters (two academic years) and adds an option permitting the Board of Regents to limit the number or amount of scholarships if funding is insufficient.
Bradshaw explained program growth — from 15 awards in the first year to 75 the previous year — and said the bill aims to preserve the program’s sustainability by clarifying deadlines and authorizing adjustments when funds are limited. Members asked technical questions for clarification (for example, whether the change affected the number of semesters eligible for tuition coverage), which sponsors answered: the number of core semesters remains four. The bill with amendments was moved and taken up for a recorded vote on the floor during the session.
