HB716: HB716 Georgia Student Finance Authority; establish a needs based grant program to combat food insecurity among postsecondary students

Georgia does not currently have a dedicated state grant program aimed at food insecurity among college students. This bill would add a new subpart to the law governing the Georgia Student Finance Authority (O.C.G.A. Title 20, Chapter 3) that creates such a program, run by the Georgia Student Finance Commission. The program would give grants to eligible students at eligible postsecondary institutions to help combat food insecurity. To qualify, a student generally must be considered economically disadvantaged or have a financial aid gap, meet academic or other standards set by the commission, already qualify for a related scholarship or grant under O.C.G.A. § 20-3-519.1, and have completed the FAFSA. The maximum grant per student would be capped at the cost of the highest priced meal plan at that student's school. The commission would set application rules and criteria for students to keep receiving the grant, and the whole program is subject to the legislature actually funding it. The bill repeals any conflicting laws.

• Creates a new needs based grant program inside the Georgia Student Finance Authority aimed at reducing food insecurity among college students.
• Caps each student's grant at an amount no higher than the most expensive meal plan offered by the school they attend.
• Defines who counts as an 'eligible student', including economically disadvantaged status or a financial aid gap, meeting academic standards, existing scholarship eligibility, and completed FAFSA.
• Requires students to submit an application under rules set by the Georgia Student Finance Commission to receive or keep receiving the grant.
• Makes the entire program contingent on the General Assembly actually appropriating (providing) money for it.
• Requires a school to refund grant money to the commission if a student who received a grant does not actually enroll for that semester.

Postsecondary students in Georgia who face food insecurity or financial aid gaps, especially those already eligible for related state scholarships or grants; the Georgia Student Finance Commission, which would design and run the program; and eligible colleges and universities, which must certify costs and refund unused grant money.

If funded, the program could give qualifying students direct financial help specifically for food costs while enrolled, on top of existing aid. Because the program depends on future state funding, its actual reach and dollar amounts would depend on budget decisions made separately by the legislature.

• Section 1 adds a new Subpart 2B to Part 3 of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20, creating O.C.G.A. §§ 20-3-367 and 20-3-368.
• O.C.G.A. § 20-3-367 defines 'commission', 'eligible postsecondary institution', 'eligible student', and 'financial aid gap' for purposes of the program.
• O.C.G.A. § 20-3-368(a) directs the commission to establish the grant program 'subject to appropriations' and caps awards at the cost of the highest priced meal plan at the student's school.
• O.C.G.A. § 20-3-368(a) allows the commission to set individualized eligibility criteria and grant amounts depending on the specific institution and its student population.
• O.C.G.A. § 20-3-368(b) requires students to apply under commission rules and requires schools to refund grant money if a funded student does not enroll for that semester.
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2025-03-06House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-03-04House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-03House Hopper (House)

• Bryce Berry (D, HD-056)Primary sponsor
• Kasey Carpenter (R, HD-004)
• Spencer Frye (D, HD-122)
• Samuel Park (D, HD-107)
• Gabriel Sanchez (D, HD-042)
• Eric Bell (D, HD-075)

• college financial aid
• food insecurity
• higher education funding
• student grants
• Georgia Student Finance Authority