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

25 LC 61 0074 House Bill 716 By: Representatives Berry of the 56 th, Carpenter of the 4 th, Frye of the 122 nd, Park of the 107th, Sanchez of the 42nd, and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Part 3 of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Of ficial Code of Georgia1 Annotated, relating to the Georgia Student Finance Authority, s o as to establish a needs2 based grant program to combat food insecurity among postseconda ry students; to provide3 definitions; to provide for a maximum award amount; to provide for applications; to provide4 for rules, regulations, and procedures; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting5 laws; and for other purposes.6 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:7 SECTION 1.8 Part 3 of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Co de of Georgia Annotated,9 relating to the Georgia Student Finance Authority, is amended by adding a new subpart to10 read as follows:11 "Subpart 2B12 20-3-367.13 As used in this subpart, the term:14 H. B. 716 - 1 - 25 LC 61 0074 (1) 'Commission' means the Georgia Student Finance Commission created by Code15 Section 20-3-233.16 (2) 'Eligible postsecondary institution' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code17 Section 20-3-519.18 (3) 'Eligible student' means a person:19 (A) Whose family income is considered economically disadvantaged, based on criteria20 established by the commission, or who has a financial aid gap;21 (B) Who meets any academic or other standards established by the commission;22 (C) Who is eligible for a scholarship or grant pursuant to Code Section 20-3-519.1; and23 (D) Who has completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).24 (4) 'Financial aid gap' means the monetary amount remaining af ter other funding, as25 determined by the commission, for the cost of attendance certif ied by an eligible26 postsecondary institution.27 28 20-3-368.29 (a) Subject to appropriations, the commission shall establish a needs based financial aid30 program to provide grants to eligible students enrolled at an e ligible postsecondary31 institution for the purpose of combating food insecurity among postsecondary students. 32 The maximum award per eligible student shall not exceed an amount equal to the highest33 cost meal plan of the postsecondary institution attended by suc h eligible student. The34 commission may provide for indivi dualized eligibility criteria and grant amounts as35 determined to be the most appropriate for the particular eligible postsecondary institution36 and its student population in accordance with this subpart. Th e commission shall also37 establish criteria necessary for eligible students to retain an d continue to receive such38 grants in accordance with this subpart.39 (b) Each eligible student wishing to receive a grant pursuant to this subpart shall submit40 a grant application in accordance with the rules, regulations, and procedures prescribed by41 H. B. 716 - 2 - 25 LC 61 0074 the commission. The commission is authorized to define such te rms and prescribe such42 rules, regulations, and procedures as may be reasonable and nec essary to carry out the43 purposes of this subpart. In the event a student on whose beha lf a grant is paid does not44 enroll as a full-time or part-time student for the academic semester for which the grant is45 paid, the qualified institution shall make a refund to the commission in accordance with the46 rules and regulations of the commission."47 SECTION 2.48 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.49 H. B. 716 - 3 -