Bill Text: DE HB461 | 2009-2010 | 145th General Assembly | Draft

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Bill Title: An Act To Amend Title 14 Of The Delaware Code Relating To The Student Academic Reward Scholarship At Wilmington University.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-06-16 - Stricken [HB461 Detail]

Download: Delaware-2009-HB461-Draft.html

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SPONSOR:	Rep. Oberle & Sen. Sorenson;
	Rep. Brady; Sens. McDowell, Connor

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

145th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 461

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE STUDENT ACADEMIC REWARD SCHOLARSHIP AT WILMINGTON UNIVERSITY.

WHEREAS, the General Assembly established the Student Excellence Equals Degree ("SEED") Program as an incentive for high school students to stay in school, achieve good grades, stay out of trouble and graduate; and

WHEREAS, in its first year over 800 students were awarded full or partial SEED scholarships; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly finds that providing the opportunity for Delaware students who excel in the SEED Program toachieve a baccalaureate degree will result in demonstrable economic benefits to the State in the form of a larger, more educated work force; and

WHEREAS, Wilmington University offers quality baccalaureate degree programs for students in Delaware;

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. AMEND Chapter 35, Title 14 of the Delaware Code by adding thereto a new subchapter designated as Subchapter XV, which new subchapter shall read as follows:

"Subchapter XV.The Delaware Student Academic Reward Scholarship Act

§3401B. Purpose.

There is hereby created the Delaware Student Academic Reward Scholarship Program, hereafter referred to as "STAR Scholarship Program".Under this subchapter, students who have obtained a SEED-associated degree are relieved of the burden of paying for the undergraduate tuition associated with the attainment of a baccalaureate degree, provided the student meets the criteria set forth in this Act.Students who qualify under this subchapter shall not have to repay the State of Delaware because it is the intent and purpose of the Delaware General Assembly to help ensure that students who have excelled academically in the SEED program have the opportunity to attain their baccalaureate degree regardless of a family's financial circumstances.Therefore payments made under this Program shall be grants, not loans.

§3402B.Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in the Act, shall have the meaning ascribed to them except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

(a) "Academic Year" shall mean all semesters pursuant to the Institution's academic calendar.

(b) "Department" shall mean the Delaware Department of Education.

(c) "Full time" shall mean full-time student status as defined by each respective institution.

(d) "Institution" shall mean the Wilmington University.

(e) "SEED-associated degree" shall mean the associates degree earned as a result of participation in the SEED Scholarship program.

(f) "SEED eligible student" shall mean a student who met the eligibility criteria set forth in 14 Del.C. §3404A and applied for the SEED program during his or her senior year of high school or the summer thereafter.

§3503B. Administration.

(a) This subchapter shall be administered by each participating Institution in consultation with the Department.

(b) The Institution shall adopt such rules and regulations as it deems necessary and proper to the administration of this subchapter, provided further, the rules and regulations shall be submitted to the Department.

(c) The Institution shall annually report information on the students participating in the STAR program that includes, but is not limited to, the name of each student, degree major, current grade point average, and the amount of funding to the Department, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Controller General.

(d) The Institution shall communicate in writing to the Department of Education, the Office of Management and Budget and the Controller General no later than June 15th of each year the estimated number of students for which they are requesting funding under this subchapter.

(e) The Institution shall request a transfer of funds from the Department based on the enrollment of students receiving the STAR Scholarship Program.

§3404B.Eligibility.

To be eligible to participate in the Delaware STAR Scholarship Program and to qualify for a grant to pay tuition by the State of Delaware pursuant to this subchapter for any academic unit of postsecondary enrollment at the Wilmington University, a student shall meet all of the following:

(a) The student shall meet the requirements of a SEED-eligible student as defined in this subchapter and shall have completed his or her SEED-associated degree having met all qualifications and requirements of the SEED Scholarship Act.

(b) A student who satisfies the Delaware residency requirements set forth in the Institution's residency policy shall be eligible for such grant if that student is enrolled on a full time, baccalaureate degree seeking basis or is a student with a disability seeking a degree through the Institution's academic accommodation policy.

(c) The student shall not have been convicted of any felony, and the student shall certify such fact.

(d) A recipient shall a grant for tuition assistance that shall be equal to what would be received a similar SEED recipient at the University of Delaware Associate in Arts Program rate.

(e) A student shall have applied for all appropriate forms of financial aid for which the student is eligible including, but not limited to the Federal Pell Grant, financial aid programs administered by the Delaware Department of Education, and financial aid programs administered by the Institution, and shall have accepted all such financial assistance offered or awarded to the student, except for loans.Provided further, all of the other appropriate forms of financial aid under this subparagraph shall be applied to satisfy tuition costs prior to application to other student costs.

(f) A student shall have completed all course work associated with the SEED Scholarship Program according to the rules and regulations established by the participating Institution of attendance with a Grade Point Average (G.P.A.) of no less than 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.

(g) A student shall have satisfied admission standards as determined by the Institution.No student shall be admitted to the Institution by special admission standards.

(h) A student shall be admitted and attend classes at the Institution no later than the semester immediately after the student has completed his or her SEED-associated degree.

§3405B.Grant Awards/Operations

The Institution shall establish and implement procedures to award grants to eligible students subject to appropriations for such purpose, including but not limited to a procedure to determine priority among applicants in the event that the amount of grants requested by eligible applicants exceeds the appropriation. Grants shall be available to students for attendance at the Institution.Grant awards shall not exceed the available appropriation for each fiscal year.Grant awards shall be disbursed as follows:

(a) Beginning with the 2010-2011 academic year, tuition assistance shall be provided to qualifying applicants in an amount equal to the following:

(1)   A grant recipient receiving no other financial assistance specifically designated for tuition with the exception of loans shall receive a grant equal to the full amount of tuition charged by the Institution.

(2)   A grant recipient receiving other financial assistance specifically designated for tuition shall receive a grant equal to the difference between the amount of tuition charged by the Institution and the amount of the other financial assistance.

(3)  If, as a result of applying for federal and state student financial aid, or through other means, it becomes apparent that deliberate fraud was involved in the application process, the Institution may reevaluate the recipient's eligibility for grant assistance, and may withdraw a grant award.Any grant award made as the result of deliberate fraud may be recovered by the State through an action of law.

§3406B.Maintaining Eligibility.

(a)    To maintain continued State payment of tuition at the Institution, the student shall meet all of the following:

(1) Make steady academic progress toward a baccalaureate degree, earning not less than the minimum hours of credit required for full-time standing at the Institution in each academic year.

(2) Maintain continuous enrollment for not less than two semesters in each successive academic year, unless granted an exception for cause by the Institution.

(3) Have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 calculated on a 4.0 scale at the end of the first academic year and thereafter maintain such a cumulative grade point average.The Department may grant exceptions upon appeal.

(4) The student shall not have been convicted of any felony, and the student shall certify such fact.

(5)The student shall meet the criteria established by the Institution related to student conduct.

(b)   Grants made by the STAR Scholarship Program shall not be allowed for courses or other postsecondary units repeated or taken in excess of the requirements for completion of a baccalaureate degree.

(c)    Students are eligible to participate in this program for a period not to exceed six semesters completed within three academic years.

(d)   Students shall maintain a course load sufficient to meet the requirements of full-time student status at the institution, except in the student's final semester in the event fewer than 12 credits hours are needed to complete the baccalaureate degree.

§3407B.Disbursement.

(a)    Funds awarded from this program shall be disbursed on a semester by semester basis upon receipt of enrollment verification.

(b)    No disbursements on behalf of an individual student, pursuant to this subchapter, shall be greater than the tuition charged by the Institution.

§3408B.Additional Responsibilities.

(a)     The Institution shall develop, promote, and coordinate a public awareness program to inform students and parents of the STAR Scholarship Program.

(b)    The Department shall have the authority to promulgate rules and regulations for the implementation of the STAR Scholarship Program."

Section 2.The STAR Scholarship Program shall be available beginning with the fall semester of the school year 2010-2011.

Section 3.The annual operating budget act for fiscal year 2009 shall appropriate to the Department of Education one position and support costs necessary for the administration of this subchapter.

Section 4.This Act shall become effective upon the appropriation by the General Assembly of funds sufficientto accomplish the purpose and implement the provisions of this Act..

SYNOPSIS

This Act creates the Delaware Student Academic Reward Scholarship Program.The goal of this Act is to provide students with an incentive to excel academically in the Student Excellence Equals Degree Program.Specifically this Act provides a tuition scholarship for a baccalaureate degree at Wilmington University for students who complete the Student Excellence Degree Program with a GPA of 3.5 (out of 4.0).

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