Hawaii-2019-HB813-Amended

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the first cohort of students from community colleges who received scholarships from the Hawaii community college promise program are scheduled to graduate in 2019 with associate's degrees. Some students will be poised to enter the University of Hawaii system to obtain a bachelor's degree, yet lack the financial resources to do so. Extending the promise program for this cohort of students will lead to stronger educational outcomes, an improved quality of life for participating students, and a stronger economy for Hawaii in general.

The legislature further finds that the research and statistics office of the department of labor and industrial relations publishes "Hawaii's best job opportunities", an annual report outlining occupations that are in high demand and that require a bachelor's degree or higher. This report also shows the number of annual openings, growth rate, skills required, and median annual salary for these jobs. The legislature further finds that students and graduates of the Hawaii community college promise program who do not yet have a definite career goal but are pursuing further education should be strongly encouraged to pursue careers listed in the "Hawaii's best job opportunities" report, especially where personnel shortages currently exist or are projected to exist in the near future.

The legislature finds that this issue is a matter of statewide concern that falls under its purview pursuant to article X, section 6, of the Hawaii State Constitution. The purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Establish the University of Hawaii promise program plus to provide scholarships for the unmet direct cost needs of qualified students who are graduates of a University of Hawaii community college who received a Hawaii community college promise program scholarship and are currently enrolled at any University of Hawaii campus; and

(2) Appropriate funds to establish and implement the program.

SECTION 2. Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part IV, subpart A, subdivision 1 to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§304A- University of Hawaii promise program plus; established. (a) Notwithstanding section 304A-502, there is established the University of Hawaii promise program plus to be administered by the board of regents. The program shall provide scholarships for the unmet direct cost needs of qualified students who are:

(1) Graduates of a University of Hawaii community college who received a Hawaii community college promise program scholarship; and

(2) Enrolled at any University of Hawaii campus.

(b) A qualified student enrolled in a bachelor's degree program at a University of Hawaii campus is eligible for scholarship consideration for a maximum of eight semesters if the student:

(1) Qualifies for Hawaii resident tuition;

(2) Completes and submits the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for each academic year, and accepts all federal and state aid, grants, scholarships, and other funding sources that do not require repayment;

(3) Is enrolled in the degree program with twelve or more credits per semester;

(4) Maintains satisfactory academic progress, as defined by federal requirements established pursuant to Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and determined by the campus at which the student is enrolled; and

(5) Has been determined by the campus to have unmet direct cost needs.

(1) On a first-come, first-served basis;

(2) In an amount equal to the studentꞌs unmet direct cost need based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid calculation of need minus what is available from Pell grants and other funding sources specified in subsection (b)(2); and

(3) To the extent funds are available to support the scholarship award;

provided that students who pursue bachelor's degrees consistent with the "Hawaii's best job opportunities" report published annually by the department of labor and industrial relations shall receive an increased scholarship amount, to be determined by the board of regents.

(d) To continue to qualify for a scholarship under this section, a student shall:

(1) Maintain a grade point average of 2.5 or higher, on a scale of 4.0 or its equivalent;

(2) Earn a minimum of twenty-four credits in each academic year; and

(3) Comply with any other conditions placed on the scholarship by the University of Hawaii.

(e) A student who fails to comply with the requirements of this section shall be placed on scholarship probation. Social, economic, and other factors, or other extenuating circumstances as determined by the University of Hawaii, shall be considered in determining probationary status.

During the probationary period, the student shall demonstrate satisfactory progress toward meeting completion of the degree and satisfying the requirements of the scholarship. Failure to meet the probationary period requirements in this section shall result in revocation of the student's scholarship, with the student responsible for reimbursing the University of Hawaii for up to two semesters of scholarship amounts received under the program. A student may be placed on scholarship probation for no more than one semester during an eight-semester period at a University of Hawaii campus.

(f) As used in this section, "direct cost" includes tuition, fees, books, supplies, and transportation."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 to establish and implement the University of Hawaii promise program plus, including the provision of the program's scholarships.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	813
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 1