HB 695: Georgia Student Finance Authority; establish a needs based financial aid program to award grants to eligible students who have not yet received their financial aid award

Some Georgia college students who qualify for state or federal financial aid still have not received that money two weeks into the semester, leaving them without funds to buy required textbooks and course materials. House Bill 695 addresses this gap by directing the Georgia Student Finance Commission to create a needs based grant program specifically for 'essential materials' like books and other items an instructor says are required for a course. To qualify, a student must be considered economically disadvantaged, meet academic standards set by the commission, be eligible for an existing state scholarship or grant under O.C.G.A. § 20-3-519.1, have filed the FAFSA, attend a qualifying college, and still be waiting on their financial aid award two weeks after classes start. Grants would go directly to students, capped at $5,000 total per student. The commission would write the application process and rules, and the program only runs if the legislature provides funding for it.

• Creates a new grant program inside the Georgia Student Finance Authority to help students pay for required course materials while their financial aid is delayed.
• Sets a maximum award of $5,000.00 per eligible student, paid directly to the student.
• Defines 'eligible student' to require financial need, academic standards, FAFSA completion, enrollment at a qualifying college, and a financial aid delay of at least two weeks into the term.
• Requires the Georgia Student Finance Commission to create an application process and rules for awarding the grants.
• Directs the commission to set up expedited processing so students can get funds and materials quickly.
• Makes the whole program contingent on the legislature appropriating (providing) money for it.

Low income college students in Georgia who face delays in receiving their financial aid and need money for textbooks or required course materials, the Georgia Student Finance Commission, which must build and run the program, and colleges classified as 'qualified institutions' under existing state scholarship law.

Students who cannot afford required textbooks or materials at the start of a term can fall behind quickly. This bill would give the state a mechanism to get money into students' hands fast, but only if lawmakers actually fund the program in the budget.

• Section 1 adds a new Subpart 2B to Georgia's financial aid law (O.C.G.A. Title 20, Chapter 3, Article 7).
• New Code Section 20-3-367 defines key terms, including 'eligible student,' 'essential materials,' and 'qualified institution.'
• New Code Section 20-3-368 establishes the grant program 'subject to appropriations,' sets the $5,000.00 maximum award, and requires funds to go directly to students.
• New Code Section 20-3-368 also requires students to submit an application listing the materials they need and the estimated cost.
• New Code Section 20-3-369 authorizes the commission to write rules and procedures, including for expedited application processing and disbursement.
• Section 2 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2025-03-04House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-03-03House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-28House Hopper (House)

• Mary Ann Santos (D, HD-117)Primary sponsor
• Tremaine Teddy Reese (D, HD-140)
• Eric Bell (D, HD-75)
• Bryce Berry (D, HD-56)
• Robert Flournoy (D, HD-74)
• Arlene Beckles (D, HD-96)

• financial aid
• college affordability
• Georgia Student Finance Authority
• education funding
• textbook costs