Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Our Futures Grant topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves bill letting private nonprofit colleges access Our Futures grants under capped rules
Summary
Senate Bill 382 would allow the Our Futures grant to be used at private nonprofit institutions for identified high‑demand two‑year programs, capped at the average cost of a public two‑year college; the committee approved the bill and a fiscal estimate of roughly $300,000/year was cited.
Senate Bill 382, presented by Senator Chesterfield, would place the Our Futures grant on the same footing as other scholarships by permitting qualifying private nonprofit institutions to receive last‑dollar support for high‑demand certificate and degree programs.
Maria Marco of the Division of Higher Education explained the mechanics to the committee: awards would be capped at the average annual cost of a public two‑year college, the program would exclude private for‑profit institutions, and the funds would only be available for programs identified on the statewide high‑demand list. "We have capped the award amount at the average cost of a 2 year public college," Marco said, and the department's fiscal analysis estimated the change would cost roughly $300,000 a year.
Senator English and others questioned whether the 'last dollar' model would create unequal costs when private tuition exceeds public tuition; Marco responded that the statutory cap prevents paying more than the public two‑year average and that program rules would limit eligible programs to those on the high‑demand list.
A motion to pass SB382 carried by voice vote and the bill will move forward from committee. Legislators requested final fiscal impacts and program rule details before the next meeting.
