HB541: HB541 Education; tuition equalization grants; expand definition of an approved school to include certain institutions which offer programs in nursing

Georgia's tuition equalization grant program helps students at certain private colleges and universities by supplementing their tuition costs. Under current law (O.C.G.A. § 20-3-411), an 'approved school' generally means a nonprofit or a limited category of for-profit degree-granting schools that meet specific accreditation and other requirements. This bill adds a new category: for-profit institutions in Georgia that offer a bachelor's degree program in nursing, are accredited by recognized accrediting bodies, have a strong nursing licensing exam passage rate, and have had a campus in Georgia for at least ten years as of June 30, 2025. Only the nursing degree program itself, not the whole institution, would count as an approved school. The bill also states that programs approved this way still would not qualify for HOPE scholarships, dual enrollment funding, or other unrelated state education programs. The bill cites a state interest in addressing Georgia's nursing workforce shortage.

• Adds a new category of 'approved school' for tuition equalization grants: for-profit institutions offering a bachelor's nursing degree program that meet specific accreditation and exam passage requirements.
• Requires the qualifying nursing program to be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or the Higher Learning Commission and by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
• Requires the nursing program to have a National Council Licensure Examination four year average passage rate of at least 80 percent.
• Limits the approval to only the institution's nursing degree program, not the entire school, and requires at least one Georgia campus in place for at least ten years as of June 30, 2025.
• Clarifies that a program approved under this new category still does not count as an eligible institution for HOPE scholarships, dual enrollment, or other separate state grant and loan programs.
• Repeals any laws that conflict with these changes.

Students enrolled in qualifying private nursing degree programs in Georgia, the for-profit colleges that operate those programs, the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission, which reviews and approves schools, and the state agencies that administer tuition equalization grants and other student aid programs.

Students in certain private nursing programs that previously did not qualify as 'approved schools' could become eligible for state tuition equalization grant money, potentially lowering their out of pocket tuition costs, while the bill keeps those programs walled off from HOPE and dual enrollment funding.

• Section 2 amends O.C.G.A. § 20-3-411(2) to add a new division (ii) covering proprietary institutions offering baccalaureate nursing degree programs.
• The new division sets accreditation requirements from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or the Higher Learning Commission plus the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
• It sets a minimum four-year average passage rate of 80 percent on the National Council Licensure Examination for the nursing program to qualify.
• It requires at least one Georgia instructional campus that has existed for at least ten years as of June 30, 2025.
• It specifies that only the nursing degree program, not the whole institution, is deemed an approved school.
• It bars institutions approved under this new provision from being treated as eligible postsecondary institutions for HOPE scholarships, dual enrollment, or other unrelated grant and loan programs.
• Section 3 repeals conflicting laws.

1. 2026-05-11Effective Date 2026-07-01
2. 2026-05-11Act 470
3. 2026-05-11House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2026-04-06House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2026-03-20Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2026-03-20Senate Third Read (Senate)
7. 2026-03-19Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
8. 2026-03-18Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)

• Katie Dempsey (R, HD-013)Primary sponsor
• Sharon Cooper (R, HD-045)
• Darlene Taylor (R, HD-173)
• Brian Prince (D, HD-132)
• Lee Hawkins (R, HD-027)
• Ricky Williams (R, SD-025)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 18, 2026

   165 yea, 1 nay (2 not voting, 7 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #529

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 20, 2026

   45 yea, 1 nay (2 not voting, 6 absent)

   Passage: Senate Vote #770

• nursing education
• tuition equalization grants
• higher education funding
• private colleges
• healthcare workforce