2000 Legislation
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SENATE BILL NO. 1485 – Idaho Promise Scholarship

SENATE BILL NO. 1485

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Daily Data Tracking History



S1485..........................................................by EDUCATION
SCHOLARSHIPS - Amends existing law to create the Idaho Promise Scholarship
to further posteducational opportunities for Idaho students.
                                                                        
02/21    Senate intro - 1st rdg - to printing
02/22    Rpt prt - to Educ
03/01    Rpt out - rec d/p - to 2nd rdg
03/02    2nd rdg - to 3rd rdg
03/07    3rd rdg - PASSED - 32-0-3
      AYES--Andreason, Boatright, Bunderson, Burtenshaw, Cameron, Crow,
      Danielson, Darrington, Deide, Dunklin, Frasure, Geddes, Hawkins,
      Ingram, Keough, King-Barrutia, Lee, McLaughlin, Noh, Parry,
      Richardson, Riggs, Risch, Sandy, Schroeder, Sorensen, Stegner,
      Thorne, Walton/Branch, Wheeler, Whitworth, Williams
      NAYS--None
      Absent and excused--Davis, Ipsen, Stennett
      Floor Sponsor - Lee, Schroeder, Deide, Noh, Burtenshaw, Keough,
      Riggs, Davis, Williams, Dunklin, McLaughlin, Frasure
    Title apvd - to House
03/08    House intro - 1st rdg - to Educ
03/15    Rpt out - rec d/p - to 2nd rdg
03/16    2nd rdg - to 3rd rdg
03/30    3rd rdg - PASSED - 40-26-4
      AYES -- Alltus, Barraclough, Bell, Bieter, Black, Boe, Campbell,
      Chase, Cuddy, Field(13), Field(20), Hadley, Hammond, Hansen(23),
      Hansen(29), Henbest, Jaquet, Jones(Jones), Judd, Kellogg, Kunz,
      Linford, Marley, Meyer, Montgomery, Mortensen, Pomeroy, Reynolds,
      Ridinger, Ringo, Robison, Sellman, Shepherd, Smylie, Stoicheff,
      Stone, Tilman, Trail, Wood, Mr Speaker
      NAYS -- Barrett, Bruneel, Callister, Cheirrett, Clark, Crow, Deal,
      Denney, Gagner, Geddes, Gould, Hornbeck, Kempton, Kendell, Lake,
      Loertscher, McKague, Moss, Moyle, Pearce, Pischner, Sali, Schaefer,
      Smith, Stevenson, Wheeler
      Absent and excused -- Ellsworth, Mader, Taylor, Zimmermann
    Floor Sponsors - Trail, Sellman, Boe, Meyer
    Title apvd - to Senate
03/31    To enrol
04/03    Rpt enrol - Pres signed - Sp signed
04/04    To Governor
04/05    Governor signed
         Session Law Chapter 206
         Effective: 01/01/01

Bill Text


 S1485
                                                                        
                                                                        
  ||||              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ||||
 Fifty-fifth Legislature                  Second Regular Session - 2000
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                       IN THE SENATE
                                                                        
                                    SENATE BILL NO. 1485
                                                                        
                                   BY EDUCATION COMMITTEE
                                                                        
  1                                        AN ACT
  2    RELATING TO COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS; AMENDING SECTION  33-4303,  IDAHO  CODE,  TO
  3        PROVIDE  THAT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM SHALL BE KNOWN AS THE "IDAHO PROMISE
  4        SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM"; AMENDING SECTION 33-4305, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE PUR-
  5        POSES; AMENDING SECTION 33-4306, IDAHO CODE, TO FURTHER DEFINE  TERMS  AND
  6        TO  MAKE  TECHNICAL  CORRECTIONS; AMENDING SECTION 33-4307, IDAHO CODE, TO
  7        PROVIDE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR CATEGORY A AND  CATEGORY  B  PARTICI-
  8        PANTS, TO PROVIDE GRANT PROVISIONS FOR CATEGORY B PARTICIPANTS AND TO MAKE
  9        TECHNICAL  CORRECTIONS;  AMENDING  SECTION 33-4308, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE
 10        FOR THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF GRANTS FOR CATEGORY A AND CATEGORY  B  STUDENTS;
 11        AMENDING  SECTION  33-4309,  IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR CONTINUANCE IN THE
 12        CASE OF EXTREME HARDSHIP AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS;  AND  AMENDING
 13        SECTION  33-4313,  IDAHO  CODE, TO EXPAND THE DUTIES OF THE STATE BOARD OF
 14        EDUCATION AND THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY  OF  IDAHO  REGARDING
 15        SCHOLARSHIPS AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
 16        DATE.
                                                                        
 17    Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:
                                                                        
 18        SECTION  1.  That  Section 33-4303, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 19    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 20        33-4303.  SHORT TITLE. This act shall be known and cited as the "State  of
 21    "Idaho Promise Scholarship Program."
                                                                        
 22        SECTION  2.  That  Section 33-4305, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 23    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 24        33-4305.  PURPOSES. The purpose of this act is:
 25        (1)  To establish a state scholarship program for the most talented  Idaho
 26    secondary  school  graduates  or the equivalent, consisting of category A stu-
 27    dents with outstanding academic qualifications and category B students with  a
 28    cumulative  grade point average for grades nine (9) through twelve (12) of 3.0
 29    or better or achieving an ACT score of 20 or better  or  who  become  eligible
 30    after  the  student's first semester  or who meet any other criteria as may be
 31    established by the state board of education and the board of  regents  of  the
 32    university  of  Idaho,  who will enroll in undergraduate nonreligious academic
 33    and professional-technical programs in eligible postsecondary institutions  in
 34    the state; and
 35        (2)  To designate the state board of education and the board of regents of
 36    the  Uuniversity  of Idaho as the administrative agency for the state scholar-
 37    ship program.
                                                                        
 38        SECTION 3.  That Section 33-4306, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 39    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
                                           2
                                                                        
  1        33-4306.  DEFINITIONS.  As  used in this act, unless the context otherwise
  2    requires:
  3        (1)  "Eligible postsecondary institution" means an  educational  organiza-
  4    tion within the state as follows:
  5        (a)  "Public postsecondary institution" means a public postsecondary orga-
  6        nization governed or supervised by the state board of education, the board
  7        of regents of the Uuniversity of Idaho, a board of trustees of a community
  8        college  established  pursuant to the provisions of section 33-2106, Idaho
  9        Code, or the state board for professional-technical education.
 10        (b)  "Independent colleges and  universities"  means  or  any  educational
 11        organization which is operated privately and not for profit under the con-
 12        trol  of  an independent board and not directly controlled or administered
 13        by a public or political subdivision.  A  public  or  private  educational
 14        organization becomes eligible to participate in category B grant awards if
 15        the organization agrees to match awards  granted to each eligible category
 16        B student. If an institution declines to match awards, an eligible student
 17        will receive the state portion of the award to that institution.
 18        (2)  "Educational  costs"  means student costs for tuition, fees, room and
 19    board, or expenses related to  reasonable  commuting,  books  and  such  other
 20    expenses  reasonably  related  to  attendance  at  a postsecondary educational
 21    institution.
 22        (3)  "Resident sStudent" means an individual resident student  as  defined
 23    in  section 33-3717 or 33-2110B, Idaho Code, enrolled full-time and carrying a
 24    sufficient  number  of  credit  hours,  or  their  equivalent,  to  secure  an
 25    individual's first degree, certificate, diploma  or  less,  toward  which  the
 26    individual is working, in no more than the number of semesters, or equivalent,
 27    normally  required by the eligible postsecondary institution in the program in
 28    which the individual is enrolled and provided that the  baccalaureate  degree,
 29    certificate,  diploma  or  lesser  program requires at least six (6) months or
 30    equivalent of consecutive attendance.  A student engaged in a  four  (4)  year
 31    baccalaureate program shall not be terminated from this scholarship program by
 32    having earned an intermediate degree, certificate or diploma.
 33        (4)  "Full-time  student"  means  an  individual who is enrolled in and is
 34    carrying a sufficient number of credit hours, or their equivalent;  to  secure
 35    an  individual's first degree, certificate, diploma, or less, toward which the
 36    individual is working in no more than the number of semesters, or  equivalent,
 37    normally  required by the postsecondary educational institution in the program
 38    in which the individual is enrolled.
 39        (5)  "Undergraduate student" means an individual  who  is  enrolled  in  a
 40    postsecondary educational institution which leads to or is directly creditable
 41    toward  the  individual's first baccalaureate degree, certificate, diploma, or
 42    less; provided such baccalaureate degree, certificate, diploma or less program
 43    requires at least six (6) months or equivalent of  consecutive  attendance.  A
 44    student  engaged  in a four (4) year baccalaureate program shall not be termi-
 45    nated by having earned an intermediate degree, certificate, or diploma.
 46        (6)  "Enrollment"  means  the  establishment   and   maintenance   of   an
 47    individual's  status  as  a  student  in an eligible postsecondary educational
 48    institution, regardless of the term used at the institution to  describe  such
 49    status.
 50        (75)  "Eligible  category  A  student" means any graduate of an accredited
 51    secondary school in the state of Idaho who declares his intention to  matricu-
 52    late in an eligible postsecondary institution in the state of Idaho during the
 53    educational year immediately following such graduation.
 54        (6)  "Eligible  category  B  student"  means any student, having completed
 55    secondary school or its equivalent in the state of Idaho and who enrolls as  a
                                                                        
                                           3
                                                                        
  1    student  in  an eligible postsecondary institution in the state of Idaho prior
  2    to reaching twenty-two (22) years of age. To maintain  eligibility  a  student
  3    must  achieve and maintain a 2.5 cumulative grade point average while enrolled
  4    in an eligible postsecondary institution. Students  meeting  the  requirements
  5    of  this  subsection  who  were  not eligible for a grant in the first term of
  6    postsecondary education and who achieve and maintain a  2.5  cumulative  grade
  7    point  average  based on a 4.0 system in an eligible postsecondary institution
  8    will become eligible for grant payments in subsequent school terms.
  9        (87)  "Grant" means an award to an eligible student for  matriculation  in
 10    an eligible postsecondary institution in the state of Idaho.
 11        (98)  "Educational  year"  means  the period from July 1 of a year through
 12    June 30 of the succeeding year.
 13        (109) "Competitive examination" means standardized examination(s)  measur-
 14    ing achievement administered annually on a voluntary basis on a specified date
 15    and at specified locations announced publicly.
 16        (110) "High school record," means for category A students, will be defined
 17    by  the state board of education and the board of regents of the university of
 18    Idaho and may include, but need not be limited to, an individual's rank in his
 19    secondary school class, grade point average, and  difficulty  of  course  load
 20    taken  as  certified  by  an  official  of  such  secondary school, and an the
 21    individual's secondary school deportment as evaluated  by  at  least  two  (2)
 22    officials of such secondary school.
 23        (11) "High  school  record,"  for category B students, shall be defined by
 24    the state board of education and the board of regents  of  the  university  of
 25    Idaho  and  may include, but need not be limited to, an individual's secondary
 26    school cumulative grade point average or a composite  score  on  the  American
 27    college test (ACT).
 28        (12) "Cumulative grade point average" is defined as a student's cumulative
 29    grade  point  average  for all courses taken in grades nine (9) through twelve
 30    (12) and calculated on a grade of A equals 4.0 points, a grade of B equals 3.0
 31    points, a grade of C equals 2.0 points, a grade of D equals 1.0  point  and  a
 32    grade of F equals 0.0 points.
                                                                        
 33        SECTION  4.  That  Section 33-4307, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 34    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 35        33-4307.  ELIGIBILITY -- MAXIMUM AMOUNTS -- CONDITIONS.  A  grant  may  be
 36    awarded  to an eligible student for matriculation at an eligible postsecondary
 37    educational institution in the state of Idaho if:
 38        (1)  The individual is accepted for enrollment as a full-time  undergradu-
 39    ate or professional-technical student, as follows:
 40        (a)  In  the  case  of  an individual beginning his first year or freshman
 41        year of postsecondary education, he has  satisfied  the  requirements  for
 42        admission and has enrolled in an eligible postsecondary institution.
 43        (b)  In  the  case  of an individual enrolled in an eligible postsecondary
 44        institution following the successful completion of the first term, he con-
 45        tinues to meet the requirements of this act and has maintained  such  high
 46        standards  of performance as may be required.  Provided that high academic
 47        standards are maintained in accordance with requirements of this  chapter,
 48        a  student  continues  to be eligible when transferring from one (1) major
 49        program to another.
 50        (c)  In the case of an individual transferring from one (1) eligible post-
 51        secondary institution in Idaho to another eligible postsecondary  institu-
 52        tion  in  Idaho,  he  continues  to  meet the requirements of this act, is
 53        accepted and enrolled at the eligible  postsecondary institution to  which
                                                                        
                                           4
                                                                        
  1        he  is transferring, and has maintained such high standards of performance
  2        as may be required.
  3        (2)  The grant for category A students is in amounts as follows:
  4        (a)  The grant payment to an individual per educational  year  for  atten-
  5        dance  on a full-time basis is not in excess of an amount determined annu-
  6        ally by the state board of education or in excess of the total educational
  7        costs as certified by an official of the eligible  postsecondary  institu-
  8        tion  to  be  attended by the individual receiving the grant, whichever is
  9        less.
 10        (b)  The total grant payments over a period of six (6) years to  an  indi-
 11        vidual  may  not  exceed  four  (4) annual grants or the total educational
 12        costs for four (4) educational years completed as certified by an official
 13        of the eligible postsecondary institution or institutions attended by  the
 14        individual receiving the grant, whichever is less.
 15        (3c)  The  individual  receiving  such  a grant signs an affidavit stating
 16        that the grant will be used for educational costs only.
 17        (4d)  The grant is awarded on the basis of  extraordinary  performance  in
 18        standardized, unweighted competitive examination and high school record.
 19        (5e)  The  individual  receiving the grant is not precluded from receiving
 20        other financial aids, awards, or scholarships, provided the total  of  the
 21        grant  and  such  other  financial  aids,  awards or scholarships does not
 22        exceed the total educational costs for attendance  at  an  eligible  post-
 23        secondary  institution  as  certified by an official of the eligible post-
 24        secondary institution to be  attended  by  the  individual  receiving  the
 25        grant.
 26        (6f)  Grant  payments shall correspond to academic terms, semesters, quar-
 27        ters or equivalent time periods at an eligible postsecondary  institution;
 28        in  no  instance may the entire amount of a grant for an educational year,
 29        as defined in section 33-4306(910), Idaho Code, be paid to or on behalf of
 30        such student in advance.
 31        (7g)  The individual has complied with such rules and regulations  as  may
 32        be necessary for the administration of this act.
 33        (3)  The grant for category B students is as follows:
 34        (a)  The  grant  payment  to an individual per educational year for atten-
 35        dance on a full-time basis is not in excess of an amount determined  annu-
 36        ally  by the state board of education and the board of regents of the uni-
 37        versity of Idaho and not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) per  year
 38        including the required match.
 39        (b)  The  total grant payments over a period of four (4) years to an indi-
 40        vidual may not exceed two (2) annual grants.
 41        (c)  The individual receiving such a grant signs an affidavit stating that
 42        the grant will be used for educational costs only.
 43        (d)  The grant is awarded on the basis of a high school record  of  a  3.0
 44        grade  point  average  or an ACT composite score of 20 or better and other
 45        criteria as may be established by the state board  of  education  and  the
 46        board of regents of the university of Idaho.
 47        (e)  The  individual  receiving  the grant is not precluded from receiving
 48        other financial aid, awards or scholarships except that category A student
 49        award recipients are not eligible for category B awards.
 50        (f)  Grant payments shall correspond to academic terms,  semesters,  quar-
 51        ters  or equivalent time periods at an eligible postsecondary institution;
 52        in no instance may the entire amount of a grant for an  educational  year,
 53        as  defined  in section 33-4306(8), Idaho Code, be paid to or on behalf of
 54        such student in advance. The first grant payments pursuant to this section
 55        for category B students shall be made in the fall of 2001 or in the  first
                                                                        
                                           5
                                                                        
  1        fall  academic  term following an appropriation and when moneys are avail-
  2        able to implement the category B scholarship program   whichever  date  is
  3        later.
  4        (g)  The  individual  has complied with such rules as may be necessary for
  5        the administration of this chapter.
  6        (h)  All eligible postsecondary institutions will report annually  to  the
  7        state  board  of  education  and the board of regents of the university of
  8        Idaho the number of students for each term receiving a grant award and the
  9        number of awards that were matched by the institution.
                                                                        
 10        SECTION 5.  That Section 33-4308, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 11    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 12        33-4308.  MAXIMUM NUMBER OF GRANTS. (1) The total number of grants to eli-
 13    gible  category A  students shall not exceed one hundred (100) per year, nor a
 14    cumulative total number of grants of four hundred  (400)  outstanding  at  any
 15    given time.
 16        (2)  The  total number of grants to category B students will be determined
 17    annually by the state board of education and the board of regents of the  uni-
 18    versity  of  Idaho  based  on  the number of eligible students, the individual
 19    award amount and the availability of funds.
                                                                        
 20        SECTION 6.  That Section 33-4309, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 21    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 22        33-4309.  REMITTANCE  IN  CASE  OF DISCONTINUED ATTENDANCE. A grant may be
 23    made annually for a period not to exceed an educational year. If  the  student
 24    discontinues  attendance  before  the  end  of any semester, quarter, term, or
 25    equivalent, covered by the grant after receiving payment under this  act,  the
 26    eligible  postsecondary  institution shall remit, up to the amount of any pay-
 27    ments made under this grant, any prorated tuition, fees or room and board bal-
 28    ances to the state board  of  education  and  the  board  of  regents  of  the
 29    Uuniversity of Idaho. The student shall be required to remit, up to the amount
 30    of any other reasonable grant balances, such grant balances to the state board
 31    of  education  and  the  board  of regents of the Uuniversity of Idaho. In the
 32    event of extreme hardship as determined by the state board  of  education  and
 33    the  board of regents of the university of Idaho, a student may request waiver
 34    of remittance.
                                                                        
 35        SECTION 7.  That Section 33-4313, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 36    amended to read as follows:
                                                                        
 37        33-4313.  DUTIES  OF  BOARD. The state board of education and the board of
 38    regents of the Uuniversity of Idaho shall be responsible for:
 39        (1)  Supervision of the issuance of public information concerning the pro-
 40    visions of this act.
 41        (2)  Determination of recipients of grants made pursuant to the provisions
 42    of this act.
 43        (3)  Adoption of  rules  and  regulations  necessary  for  processing  and
 44    approving applications from students.
 45        (4)  Determination of the procedures for payment of grants to recipients.
 46        (5)  Maintenance  of fiscal controls and fund accounting procedures as may
 47    be necessary to assure proper disbursement of funds.
 48        (6)  Submission of annual reports to the governor and legislature.
 49        (7)  Establishment of a reasonable and fair  appeal  procedure  for  those
                                                                        
                                           6
                                                                        
  1    students and institutions who may have been adversely affected by the applica-
  2    tion procedures.
  3        (8)  Holding a public hearing, prior to the adoption of rules, and regula-
  4    tions, for the purpose of providing interested parties with the opportunity of
  5    discussing such rules. and regulations.
  6        (9)  Acceptance  of  funds from public and private sources, and such funds
  7    may be expended pursuant to appropriation to the state board of education  and
  8    the  board  of  regents  of the university of Idaho for expenditure consistent
  9    with the purposes of this chapter.
 10        (10) In the event funds from the millennium fund are used for  category  B
 11    scholarships,  the  state  board  of education and the board of regents of the
 12    university of Idaho may establish additional eligibility criteria for scholar-
 13    ship recipients.
                                                                        
 14        SECTION 8.  This act shall be in full force and effect on and after  Janu-
 15    ary 1, 2001.

Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Impact


                STATEMENT OF PURPOSE 
                       RS 10148
                           
          The purpose of this legislation is four fold. First it changes the name of the Idaho
     State Scholarship Program to the Idaho Promise Scholarship Program. Second, by
     holding out the promise of scholarships, it will encourage a larger number of secondary
     school students to stay in school, do better in school, and graduate. Third, it will
     encourage students to continue their education beyond secondary school. Fourth, it will
     aid students by helping defray education costs. 
          Currently only 49% of Idaho secondary school graduates continue their
     education. The national education continuation rate is over 65% and some states achieve
     80%. Idaho's low continuation rate portends serious problems because without further
     education these graduates are practically assured of low incomes and, therefore, future
     reliance on government Medicaid, food stamps and other welfare programs. 
          In addition, 13% of Idaho graduates elect to continue their education out of state.
     A Promise Scholarship Program can give incentives for some of these students to seek
     their higher education at Idaho institutions. 
          In 1992, the State of Georgia enacted the Hope Scholarship Program, which
     provides tuition and fees for four years to qualified students. It is financed by proceeds
     from their state lottery. Many Georgians consider the Hope Scholarship Program one of
     the most successful policy initiatives in their state's history. 
          The Idaho Promise Scholarship is modest by comparison. Under the proposal,
     secondary school graduates with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or better would receive a limited
     scholarship for up to two years of schooling in a state public or private post-secondary
     institution. Provision is also made for home schooled students and "late bloomers" if they
     achieve an ACT score of 20 or 2.5 GPA or better in their first term of post-secondary
     education. The scholarship would only partially cover fees and other costs, but will
     provide an incentive for students to stay in school, do well in school and continue their
     education. 
          The state stands to benefit greatly both socially and economically if more of ur
     secondary students are motivated to excel academically and to continue their education in
     an Idaho post-secondary institution. 
                                             
                    FISCAL IMPACT 
     
          There is no fiscal impact until the Promise Scholarship Program is funded. The
     passage of this legislation makes it possible to seek private donations and public
     appropriations.
          It is estimated that about 5,000 students per year would be eligible for a
     scholarship.  The legislation provides for a maximum award of $1,000 per year for two
     years, including a match from state post-secondary educational institutions.  Therefore, if
     the Promise Scholarship Program is fully funded in the future, $5,000,000 will be
     required the first year with $2,500,000 being provided from state appropriations.  The
     second year $10,000,000 would be required with $5,000,000 being provided from state
     appropriations.
          The award amount each year will be set by the State Board of Education,
     depending upon the amount of public and private funds made available.  The broadly
     based Promise Scholarship Program is a potential candidate for funding with Idaho
     Tobacco Settlement Funds.
     
     Contact
               Name:     Senator Robert Lee
     Agency:
               Phone:    332-1328
     
                                                       STATEMENT OF PURPOSE/FISCAL IMPACT                S1485