HSB 561 (LSB 5341XD (5) 83)

SENATE/HOUSE FILE _____

BY  (PROPOSED DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION/COLLEGE STUDENT AID COMMISSION BILL)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the resumption of tuition grant eligibility.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 261.11, Code 2009, is amended to read as follows:
   261.11  Extent of grant.

   A qualified full-time resident student may receive tuition grants for not more than eight semesters of undergraduate study or the trimester or quarter equivalent. A qualified part-time resident student may receive tuition grants for not more than sixteen semesters of undergraduate study or the trimester or quarter equivalent.  However, a person who previously received tuition grants and who resumes study after an absence from postsecondary education studies of not less than four consecutive years and who meets the requirements established pursuant to section 261.10 shall regain eligibility for tuition grants to the full extent specified in this section.
    Sec. 2.  Section 261.86, subsection 3, Code 2009, is amended to read as follows:
   3.  a.  An eligible member of the national guard, attending an institution as provided in subsection 1, paragraph “d”, as a full-time student, shall not receive educational assistance under this section for more than eight semesters, or if attending as a part-time student for not more than sixteen semesters, of undergraduate study, or the trimester or quarter equivalent.
   b.  A national guard member who has met the educational requirements for a baccalaureate degree is ineligible for educational assistance under this section.
   c.  Notwithstanding paragraph “a”, an eligible member of the national guard who previously received educational assistance under this section and who resumes study after an absence from postsecondary education studies of not less than four consecutive years shall regain eligibility for educational assistance under this section to the full extent specified in paragraph “a”.
    Sec. 3.  Section 261.94, Code 2009, is amended to read as follows:
   261.94  Extent of grant.

   A qualified full-time resident student may receive grants for not more than eight semesters of undergraduate study or the trimester or quarter equivalent. A qualified part-time resident student may receive grants for not more than sixteen semesters of undergraduate study or the trimester or quarter equivalent.  However, a person who previously received grants and who resumes study after an absence from postsecondary education studies of not less than four consecutive years and who meets the requirements established pursuant to section 261.93 shall regain eligibility for tuition grants to the full extent specified in this section.
EXPLANATION
   This bill permits a person who was receiving an Iowa tuition grant, an Iowa grant, or national guard educational assistance and who abandoned postsecondary educational studies for not less than four consecutive years, to regain eligibility for the full extent of the Iowa tuition grant, Iowa grant, or national guard educational assistance, whether or not the person received Iowa tuition grant, Iowa grant, or national guard educational assistance moneys prior to the person’s minimum four-year absence from postsecondary education studies. The full extent of grant or tuition assistance is up to eight full-time, or 16 part-time, semesters of undergraduate study, or the trimester or quarter equivalent.