HB1052: HB1052 Student Housing Affordability Act; enact

26 LC 61 0337 House Bill 1052 By: Representatives Berry of the 56th, Ali of the 106th, Evans of the 57th, Sanchez of the 42nd, Lupton of the 83rd, 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, so as to establish a financial2 aid program to provide grants to eligible students to assist wi th off-campus housing3 expenses; to provide definitions; to provide for a maximum awar d amount; to provide for4 applications; to provide for rules, regulations, and procedures; to provide for a short title; to5 provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.6 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:7 SECTION 1.8 This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Student Housing Affordability Act."9 SECTION 2.10 Part 3 of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Co de of Georgia Annotated,11 relating to the Georgia Student Finance Authority, is amended by adding a new subpart to12 read as follows:13 H. B. 1052 - 1 - 26 LC 61 0337 "Subpart 2B14 20-3-367.15 As used in this subpart, the term:16 (1) 'Commission' means the Georgia Student Finance Commission.17 (2) 'Cost of attendance' means the amount defined by the eligi ble postsecondary18 institution for the purpose of the guaranteed student loan program as defined in Title IV19 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, 20 U.S.C. Section 1071, et seq. as of January 1,20 2026.21 (3) 'Eligible postsecondary institution' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code22 Section 20-3-519.23 (4) 'Eligible student' means a person:24 (A) Who is enrolled at an eligible postsecondary institution;25 (B) Who is not living in on-campus housing;26 (C) Who is eligible for a scholarship or grant pursuant to Code Section 20-3-519.1; and27 (D) Who has completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).28 20-3-368.29 (a) Subject to appropriations, the commission shall establish a financial aid program to30 provide grants to eligible students to assist with off-campus h ousing expenses. The31 maximum award per eligible student shall not exceed the differe nce between the cost of32 on-campus housing and the cost of off-campus housing of the eli gible postsecondary33 institution attended by such eligible student as included in the cost of attendance for such34 postsecondary institution.35 (b) Each eligible student wishing to receive a grant pursuant to this subpart shall submit36 a grant application in accordance with the rules, regulations, and procedures prescribed by37 the commission. The commission is authorized to prescribe such rules, regulations, and38 H. B. 1052 - 2 - 26 LC 61 0337 procedures as may be reasonable and necessary to carry out the purposes of this subpart. 39 In the event a student on whose behalf a grant is paid does not enroll as a full-time or40 part-time student for the academic semester for which the grant is paid, the eligible41 postsecondary institution shall make a refund to the commission in accordance with the42 rules, regulations, and procedures of the commission."43 SECTION 3.44 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.45 H. B. 1052 - 3 -