HB38: HB38 Education; needs based financial aid program; revise definition of eligible student

25 LC 61 0053/AP House Bill 38 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE) By: Representatives Martin of the 49th, Reeves of the 99th, Jones of the 47th, Hilton of the 48th, and Silcox of the 53rd A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Subpart 2A of Part 3 of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of1 Georgia Annotated, relating to the needs based financial aid pr ogram, so as to revise the2 definition of "eligible student"; to extend an automatic repeal er; to provide for related3 matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5 SECTION 1.6 Subpart 2A of Part 3 of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of t he Official Code of Georgia7 Annotated, relating to the needs based financial aid program, i s amended by revising8 paragraph (1) of Code Section 20-3-360, relating to definitions, as follows:9 "(1) 'Eligible student' means a person:10 (A) Whose family income is considered economically disadvantaged, based on criteria11 established by the commission, or who has a financial aid gap;12 (B) Who meets any academic or other standards established by the commission;13 (C) Who is eligible for a scholarship or grant pursuant to Code Section 20-3-519.1;14 (D) Who has completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); and15 (E) Who has completed:16 H. B. 38 - 1 - 25 LC 61 0053/AP (i) Seventy 80 percent of the credit requirements toward the credential of his or her17 program of study, if such program is a four-year program; or18 (ii) Forty-five percent of the credit requirements toward the credential of his or her19 program of study, if such program is a two-year program."20 SECTION 2.21 Said subpart is further amended by revising Code Section 20-3-366, relating to repealer, as22 follows:23 "20-3-366.24 This subpart shall stand repealed by operation of law on June 30, 2025 2029."25 SECTION 3.26 This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law27 without such approval.28 SECTION 4.29 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.30 H. B. 38 - 2 -