SCS/HCS/HB 1473 – This act modifies the financial assistance amounts provided through the Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program. The financial assistance amounts currently in existence will be applicable for academic year 2010-2011 through academic year 2013-2014. In addition, this act adds new financial assistance amounts for the 2014-2015 academic year and beyond. A student attending an institution classified as part of the public two-year sector will be eligible for $1,300 maximum and $300 minimum. A student attending an institution classified as part of the public four-year sector, including Linn State Technical College, or approved private institutions will be eligible for $2,850 maximum and $1,500 minimum. This act modifies the grade point average required for a renewal scholarship. Currently, a student must earn a 2.5 GPA on a four point scale. Beginning with the 2010-2011 academic year, an applicant with less than sixty semester hours must demonstrate a 2.0 GPA on a four point scale and an applicant with more than sixty semester hours must demonstrate a 2.5 GPA on a four point scale, or an equivalent. This act also requires that the addition of any students eligible for an award resulting from the change in grade point average must be accommodated by refiguring award amounts within the limits of annual appropriations.
The standards of eligibility for renewal of scholarship programs other than Access Missouri will be the same as for an initial award of financial assistance, except that for renewal, an applicant must demonstrate a 2.5 GPA.
This act removes the sunset clause and termination date for Access Missouri.
This act contains provisions substantially similar to CCS/HCS/SCS/SB 733 (2010), SB 784 (2010), HCS#2/HB 1812 (2010), SB 390 (2009), and HB 792 (2009).
MICHAEL RUFF