HB385: HB385 Education; allow academically successful students who are concurrently seeking certain degrees to use the full number of hours of HOPE scholarship eligibility; provisions

26 LC 61 0392S House Bill 385 (COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE) By: Representatives Holcomb of the 101st and Barrett of the 24th A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Code Section 20-3-519.2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to1 eligibility requirements for a HOPE scholarship and award amoun t, so as to allow2 academically successful students who are concurrently seeking a baccalaureate degree and3 a first professional degree to use the full number of hours of HOPE scholarship eligibility;4 to allow academically successful students who commence a graduate program at an eligible5 postsecondary institution within 18 months of earning a baccalaureate degree to use the full6 number of hours of HOPE scholarship eligibility; to provide for exceptions based on7 previous participation in the dual enrollment program; to provide for an effective date and8 applicability; to provide for related matters; to repeal confli cting laws; and for other9 purposes.10 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:11 SECTION 1.12 Code Section 20-3-519.2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to eligibility13 requirements for a HOPE scholarship and award amount, is amende d by revising14 subsection (d) as follows:15 "(d) A student may receive the HOPE scholarship until the first of these events:16 H. B. 385 (SUB) - 1 - 26 LC 61 0392S (1)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, the The student has17 earned a baccalaureate or first professional degree.18 (B)(i) Subject to division (ii) of this subparagraph, the prov isions of subparagraph19 (A) of this paragraph shall not apply to any student:20 (I) Who continuously meets the achievement standards provided for in this Code21 section while concurrently seeking both a baccalaureate degree and a first22 professional degree; or23 (II) Who continuously met the achievement standards provided f or in this Code24 section while earning a baccalaureate degree and who, within 18 months of earning25 s u c h d e g r e e , c o m m e n c e s a g r a d u a t e p r o g r a m a t a n e l i g i b l e p o s t s econdary26 institution, provided that he or she continuously meets such achievement standards.27 (ii) Notwithstanding any provision of Code Section 20-2-161.3 to the contrary, the28 number of hours for which a student is eligible to receive the HOPE scholarship for29 a first professional degree under division (i) of this subparagraph shall be reduced by30 the number of hours for which such student received credit for completing one or31 more postsecondary courses while participating in the dual enro llment program32 provided for in Code Section 20-2-161.3 if the cost of such pos tsecondary courses33 was paid for using state funds pursuant to such program;34 (2) The student has attempted at any postsecondary institution a total of 190 quarter35 hours or 127 semester hours; or36 (3) For those students receiving a HOPE scholarship for the first time between July 1,37 2011, and June 30, 2019, seven years from a student's graduation from high school or the38 equivalent thereof as determined by the Georgia Student Finance Commission in its rules39 and regulations; provided, however, that, for a student who serves in the military during40 such seven-year period, any such active duty military service shall not count against the41 seven-year period nor constitute a failure to be enrolled. For those students receiving a42 HOPE scholarship for the first time on or after July 1, 2019, t en years from a student's43 H. B. 385 (SUB) - 2 - 26 LC 61 0392S graduation from high school or the equivalent thereof as determ ined by the Georgia44 Student Finance Commission in its rules and regulations; provided, however, that, for a45 student who serves in the military during such ten-year period, any such active duty46 military service shall not count against the ten-year period nor constitute a failure to be47 enrolled. Any full-time or part-time student receiving a HOPE scholarship and enrolled48 in an eligible postsecondary institution after June 30, 2019, s hall remain eligible for a49 HOPE scholarship pursuant to this paragraph, provided that such student meets all other50 eligibility requirements, including, but not limited to, those set forth in paragraphs (1) and51 (2) of this subsection. Students with a disability, as defined in the federal Americans with52 Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 12102, which prevents or su bstantially inhibits53 full-time academic study, may apply to the Georgia Student Finance Commission for a54 limited waiver from the applicable year limit set forth in this paragraph and request55 additional time to complete the first to occur of the events set forth in paragraphs (1) and56 (2) of this subsection. Such application for a limited waiver shall be considered and57 determined by the Georgia Student Finance Commission in accordance with its rules and58 regulations."59 SECTION 2.60 This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2026, and shall appl y beginning with the61 2027-2028 academic year.62 SECTION 3.63 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.64 H. B. 385 (SUB) - 3 -