HB1413: HB1413 Georgia Student Finance Authority; establish a needs based scholarship program for students at eligible public and private postsecondary institutions

Georgia currently offers merit-based aid like the HOPE scholarship, but this bill creates a separate need-based program called the DREAMS scholarship (Dedicating Resources to Educationally Advance More Students) for undergraduates at University System of Georgia institutions and Technical College System of Georgia units. Eligible students must complete the FAFSA, be enrolled at least half time, have not yet earned a bachelor's degree, and have unmet financial need after other aid is counted. Awards are capped at $3,000 per year and eight semesters total, and recipients must take a financial literacy course and work at least part time. The bill sets up a dedicated endowment fund managed by the Georgia Student Finance Authority to pay for the scholarships. The bill also raises the maximum balance allowed in Georgia's higher education savings trust accounts from $235,000 to $550,000, requires University System and Technical College System campuses to stock opioid antagonists (overdose-reversal medication) near defibrillators and lets trained staff administer them with legal immunity, excludes part-time workers from a state retirement plan, and adjusts the minimum reserve formula for the state lottery's education shortfall fund. Most provisions take effect July 1, 2026, though the savings account change takes effect upon the Governor's signature.

• Creates the DREAMS need-based scholarship, capped at $3,000 per student per academic year and eight semesters total, funded through a new state endowment.
• Requires DREAMS recipients to complete a financial literacy course and be engaged in paid or unpaid work, an internship, volunteering, or military service.
• Establishes the DREAMS Scholarship Endowment Fund in the state treasury with separate principal, scholarship, and transitional accounts, plus rules for investment and emergency withdrawals.
• Raises the maximum balance allowed in a Georgia Higher Education Savings Plan account from $235,000 to $550,000.
• Requires University System of Georgia and Technical College System of Georgia campuses to stock opioid antagonists near defibrillators and lets trained personnel administer them with civil liability and professional discipline immunity.
• Excludes part-time students from counting as employees under the Georgia Defined Contribution Plan and revises how the lottery's education shortfall reserve minimum is calculated.

Undergraduate students at University System of Georgia schools and Technical College System of Georgia units with financial need, families saving through Georgia's 529-style college savings plan, campus staff and students who may need opioid overdose reversal medication, part-time student workers, and the Georgia Student Finance Authority, which will administer the new scholarship and endowment.

Students who fall short of merit-based aid like HOPE could get up to $3,000 a year toward college costs, subject to funding levels the state builds up over time. Families could save more tax-advantaged money for college, and campuses would be required to have overdose reversal medication on hand, potentially saving lives during an opioid overdose.

• Code Section 20-3-367.1 sets DREAMS eligibility: FAFSA completion, at least six semester hours enrollment, no prior bachelor's degree, and documented unmet financial need after other aid.
• Code Section 20-3-367.2 creates the endowment fund with principal, scholarship, and transitional accounts, an investment policy, and an emergency stabilization process requiring a two-thirds board vote.
• Code Section 20-3-367.3 requires the authority to report annually by December 1 to the Governor, legislative leaders, and university and technical college system leaders.
• Section 2-1 raises the maximum Georgia Higher Education Savings Plan account balance from $235,000 to $550,000.
• Sections 3-1 and 3-2 require University System and Technical College System campuses to maintain opioid antagonist supplies within three feet of defibrillators and grant immunity to staff who administer or choose not to administer them.
• Section 4-1 excludes part-time students performing services for an institution from being counted as employees under the Georgia Defined Contribution Plan.
• Section 5-1 revises the formula for the lottery's education shortfall reserve, directing 10 percent of excess reserve funds above the minimum toward educational programs.
• Section 6-1 sets the general effective date as July 1, 2026, with the savings plan change effective upon the Governor's signature and the scholarship applying starting the 2026-2027 academic year.

1. 2026-03-31Senate Tabled (Senate)
2. 2026-03-25Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
3. 2026-03-25Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)
4. 2026-03-09Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
5. 2026-03-06House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
6. 2026-03-06House Third Readers (House)
7. 2026-03-06House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
8. 2026-02-24House Second Readers (House)

• Charles Martin (R, HD-049)Primary sponsor
• James Hatchett (R, HD-155)
• Stacey Evans (D, HD-057)
• Mark Newton (R, HD-127)
• Chris Erwin (R, HD-032)
• Carter Barrett (R, HD-024)
• Max Burns (R, SD-023)

1. PassedHouse voteMarch 6, 2026

   165 yea, 2 nay (1 not voting, 9 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #683

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2026

   39 yea, 10 nay (2 not voting, 3 absent)

   Motion To Table Remaining Legislation On The Rules Calendar: Senate Vote #912

• college financial aid
• higher education funding
• opioid overdose prevention
• 529 college savings plans
• Georgia lottery for education