Bills › 90th General Assembly
Establishing the United States army reserve service scholarship program within the college student aid commission
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 28, 2023
- Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 17, 2024
- Done: House committeeJanuary 23, 2024
- Skipped: Passes the HouseContinued as HF 2144
- Next: Senate committee
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Became HF 2144 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to HF 2144 What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary Iowa would create a new scholarship program for residents who serve in the United States Army Reserve. These students can use the money to help pay for college at community colleges, state universities, or accredited private schools. The scholarship covers tuition costs and is available for up to 120 or 130 credit hours depending on the student's field of study.1
Read the official explanation
This bill establishes the United States army reserve service scholarship program within the college student aid commission to provide scholarships to certain members of the reserve forces of the United States army. The bill provides that an individual is eligible for a scholarship under the program if the individual is a resident of the state and a member of a United States army reserve unit while receiving scholarship award payments; satisfactorily completed required initial active duty training; maintains satisfactory performance of duty upon return from initial active duty training; is enrolled as an undergraduate student in a community college in this state, an institution of higher learning under the control of the state board of regents, or an accredited private institution, and maintains satisfactory academic progress; completes and submits application forms required by the commission and applies for all nonrepayable state and federal financial aid for which the member is eligible; and is certified as meeting the requirements under the program. The bill provides that scholarship awards under the program shall not exceed the resident tuition rate established for institutions of higher learning under the control of the state board of regents. If the amount appropriated in a fiscal year for purposes of the program is insufficient to provide scholarships to all who apply for and are eligible for the program, the commission shall determine the distribution of scholarships. The bill prohibits an eligible member of the United States army reserve from receiving scholarship awards under the program for more than 120 semester credit hours of undergraduate study. However, an eligible member of the United States army reserve who is enrolled in a program of education leading to a postsecondary degree that meets the eligibility requirements for the federal Edith Nourse Rogers STEM scholarship may receive scholarship awards under the program for 130 semester credit hours of undergraduate study. The bill establishes limits on the amount of scholarship awards for eligible members who receive scholarship awards under the program and the national guard service scholarship program. A United States army reserve member who has met the educational requirements for a baccalaureate degree is ineligible for a scholarship award under the program. Awards under the program shall be paid to the educational institution by the commission upon receipt of certification by the educational institution as to accuracy of charges made and as to the attendance and academic progress of the individual at the educational institution. The commission must maintain an annual record of the number of participants and the dollar value of the awards issued under the program. Scholarships awarded under the program may be used by the recipient for the recipient’s cost of attendance as defined in the federal Higher Education Act of 1965.
House subcommittee
Named January 17, 2024. On January 22, 2024 it recommended passage. Vote Total: 3-0.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part
1 written public comment to its subcommittee: March 5, 2024 (1) · on the Legislature’s site
Fiscal note
AI summary This bill creates a scholarship program through the College Student Aid Commission for certain members of the United States Army Reserve. It is estimated to cost $113,565 in fiscal year 2025, with ongoing administrative and support expenses of approximately $34,854 starting in fiscal year 2026. These ongoing costs are expected to increase by 3.0% each year for the state.3
Read the fiscal note
Description
House File 2144 establishes the United States Army Reserve Service Scholarship Program within the College Student Aid Commission to provide scholarships to certain members of the reserve forces of the United States Army.
Background
Other loan services and forgiveness programs are currently available to these service members. These services and programs include but are not limited to:
- USAR Tuition Assistance — The USAR provides tuition assistance to fund the studies of soldiers pursuing education on personal time that is not required to be related to their reservist duties. The USAR will pay up to $250 per semester hour, or $4,500 per year.
- Montgomery G.I. Bill — If the reservist commits to a six-year service obligation, the reservist would be eligible for the educational assistance under the G.I. Bill. This program provides up to $13,000 over 36 months to cover the cost of tuition, fees, and expenses for college, technical, or vocational courses as well as job training and distance learning. The program pays up to $356 per month for 36 months for full-time students. This benefit can expand if the reservist qualifies for the “Kicker,” which can provide up to an additional $12,600 in benefits, or $350 per month for 36 months.
- Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP) — If activated under Title 10, a reservist may qualify for REAP which can cover up to $40,000 in education benefits. The total benefit is calculated according to the amount of time of active duty and requires a minimum of 90 consecutive days of active duty. REAP can be applied to various college and vocational training programs.
- Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty (GRFD) Scholarship — This scholarship is available to participants in the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program. Scholarships are available based on the participant’s incoming status, which includes the categories of upcoming college enrollment, current college student, or enlisted soldier and is bestowed based on academic achievement and character. Scholarships are issued between two and four years in length and can be applied to tuition, room and board, or books and fees. A GRFD-contracted scholarship cadet can earn up to $12,000 per year in tuition and room and board expenses, $1,200 a year in book stipends, a $420 ROTC monthly stipend, and additional increases for select scholarships.
- Army Student Loan Repayment Program — This Program is eligible to any Army reservists who enlist for six years or more. Reservists can receive up to $50,000 for selected specialties to repay college loans.
Assumptions
- The Program will be modeled after the existing Iowa National Guard Benefits Program. Cost projections are based on a similar administrative function with higher startup costs in the first year.
- One-time system costs are estimated to be $79,000 which includes vendor and staffing to build-out, test, and implement the new scholarship system.
- Ongoing administrative expenses will increase 3.0% year over year.
- Iowa College Aid will rely upon the USAR Command to certify the eligibility of applicants under this Program.
- Approved applicants must be both an Iowa resident and a member of a U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) unit while receiving scholarship award payments and must adhere to additional requirements.
- Scholarship awards are not to exceed the residential tuition rate established by the State Board of Regents. If the amount appropriated to this Program is insufficient to cover all eligible applicants, the Commission would determine the distribution of the scholarships.
- Unspent funds at the close of the fiscal year would not revert and are to be available for expenditure the following fiscal year.
Fiscal Impact
House File 2144 is estimated to have an initial cost of $114,000 in FY 2025. Starting in FY 2026, ongoing administrative and support expenses are estimated to be approximately $35,000 to maintain the Program. Administrative staffing costs are expected to increase by 3.0% each year.
Figure 1 — Army Reserve Scholarship Program Costs
Sources
- United States Army Reserve
- College Student Aid Commission
- Army Reserve Scholarship Program · March 14, 2024 · $114,000