Report Title:

University of Hawaii; B Plus Scholarship Program

 

Description:

Changes the appropriation of funds for the B Plus scholarship Program for fiscal years 2007-2008 and 2008-2009.  Changes the Program's eligibility criteria.  (HB1528 HD1)

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1528

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the university of hawaii.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that national and Hawaii analyses indicate that low-income students, even the highest academic achieving students, are significantly less likely to participate in post secondary education compared with their more affluent peers.  A major obstacle to their enrollment in post secondary education is a lack of academic preparation that is motivated, in part, by the misperception that college tuition is exorbitant and that the cost must be paid out-of-pocket.

     The GEAR UP scholars program in Hawaii and other similar programs demonstrate the success of programs that offer college scholarships as an incentive for students to pledge to prepare themselves early for college.

     The purpose of this Act is to further encourage Hawaii residents to pursue post secondary education by appropriating funds for the B Plus scholarship program and changing the program's eligibility criteria.

     SECTION 2.  Act 178, Session Laws of Hawaii 2005, as amended by section 5 of Act 257, Session Laws of Hawaii 2006, is amended by amending section 57 to read as follows:

     "SECTION 57.  Provided that of the general fund appropriation for the University of Hawaii systemwide (UOH 900), the sum of [$500,000] $1 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year [2005-2006] 2007-2008 and the sum of [$1,000,000] $1 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year [2006-2007;] 2008-2009; provided further that the amounts shall be used to fund the B Plus scholarship program; provided further that the university shall offer scholarships to any Hawaii resident who:

     (1)  Enrolls in any campus within the university system;

     (2)  Has graduated from a Hawaii public high school with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better[;] and has completed a rigorous high school curriculum;

     (3)  Is eligible for need-based financial aid based on federal financial aid guidelines; and

     (4)  Has pledged, via an early intervention program, to meet the requirements for the B Plus scholarship;

[and] provided further that Hawaii residents who have pledged, via an early intervention program, to meet the requirements for the B Plus scholarship, shall receive priority for the scholarship; provided further that the scholarship may be renewed annually if the student maintains satisfactory academic progress and continues to meet financial aid guidelines."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.