Assigned to ED & APPROP                                                                                                   FOR COMMITTEE

 

 

 

 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session

 

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2482

 

foster care tuition waiver

 

Purpose

 

An emergency measure that requires the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) and community college districts to provide tuition waiver scholarships to certain foster care persons.

 

Background

 

The Legislature created a five-year pilot program in 2013 that requires ABOR and each community college district to provide tuition waiver scholarships to any person who: 1) is or was in foster care at age 16; 2) is an Arizona resident; 3) is either a United States citizen or a lawfully present noncitizen; 4) has total personal assets under $10,000, excluding scholarships and grants; 5) is under 21 years old during the first scholarship award and is making satisfactory progress toward a degree or certificate; 6) is accepted or enrolled into a state university or community college; 7) completes at least 30 hours of volunteer service annually; and 8) remains in good standing with the university or community college. To remain eligible for a scholarship, the person must demonstrate continuous progress towards a degree or certificate up to the age of 23.

 

The tuition waiver scholarships awarded are reduced by the amount of federal aid scholarships and public grants received, excluding grants received under the Education and Training Voucher Program. The pilot program is scheduled to sunset on July 1, 2018 (Laws 2013, Chapter 237).

 

            There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

 

Provisions

 

1.      Requires ABOR and each community college district to provide a tuition waiver scholarship to a person who:

a)      is an Arizona resident;

b)      was or is in foster care in Arizona for at least six months;

c)      was or is in foster care, or was adopted from foster care, at age 13 or older;

d)      is under 26 years of age;

e)      is either a United States citizen or a lawfully present noncitizen;

f)       has total personal assets worth less than $10,000, excluding scholarships and grants;

g)      is accepted into or enrolled in a state university or community college;

h)      has submitted a federal student aid application before each year in which the person receives a tuition waiver scholarship; and

i)       remains in good standing with the university or community college.

2.      Allows a tuition waiver scholarship provided by a community college to be reduced by the amount of other federal or public aid the person receives through the community college, excluding grants received under the Arizona Education and Training Voucher Program.

 

3.      Prohibits a tuition waiver scholarship provided by a university from being reduced by the amount of any other federal or public aid the person receives.

 

4.      Defines tuition as tuition and mandatory fees charged by the university or community college.

 

5.      Becomes effective on signature of the Governor, if the emergency clause is enacted.

 

House Action

 

ED                   2/12/18     DP     10-0-0-1

3rd Read          2/21/18               60-0-0

 

Prepared by Senate Research

March 13, 2018

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