SS/SCS/HB 2191 – This act modifies provisions relating to higher education scholarships.A+ SCHOOLS PROGRAM: Current law provides that only public community colleges and public vocational or technical schools may receive A+ Schools Program reimbursements. This act would allow any two-year public or private vocational or technical school to obtain A+ Schools Program reimbursements that meets the following requirements: the school must be a member of the North Central Association and be accredited by the Higher Learning Commission; be designated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization; cannot receive tuition reimbursements in excess of the tuition rate charged by public community colleges for coursework offered by private vocational or technical colleges within the service area of the school; and reimbursements provided must not violate provisions of Article IX, section 8, or Article I, section 7 of the Missouri Constitution, or the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. These new requirements shall not apply to public institutions currently receiving A+ reimbursement.
A school district may participate in the A+ Schools Program regardless of its accreditation classification by the State Board of Education provided it meets all other requirements.
KIDS' CHANCE SCHOLARSHIP FUND: This act modifies provisions relating to the Kids' Chance Scholarship Fund. Current law requires the Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation to deposit $50,000 annually into the Kids' Chance Scholarship Fund from 1999 until 2008. This act changes the termination date from 2008 to 2018 so that the Director will continue to deposit $50,000 annually until 2018. In addition, the Department of Higher Education may begin distributing any accrued interest in the fund as scholarships after the second Monday in October 2008.
This act contains provisions identical to SB 1085 (2008) and SB 1223 (2008), and similar to SS/SCS/SB 846 (2008), SCS/SB 160 (2007) and SB 91 (2005).
MICHAEL RUFF