Modifying provisions related to the national guard service scholarship program and establishing the national guard service continuing education scholarship program

This bill modifies provisions related to the national guard service scholarship program and establishes the national guard service continuing education scholarship program. DIVISION I —— NATIONAL GUARD SERVICE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. The national guard service scholarship program, administered by the college student aid commission, provides annual awards to Iowa national guard members who attend eligible Iowa colleges and universities. Current law 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. The bill provides that the amount of the scholarship awards also shall not exceed the difference between the tuition rate at the institution attended by the national guard member less any financial aid the national guard member receives under certain specified federal programs. DIVISION II —— NATIONAL GUARD SERVICE CONTINUING EDUCATION SUPPORT PROGRAM. The bill establishes the national guard service continuing education scholarship program within the college student aid commission. The program provides scholarships to members of the Iowa national guard who are participating in an educational program leading to a credential that is approved by the adjutant general and offered by a community college, an institution of higher learning under the state board of regents, or an accredited private institution. The bill requires the adjutant general to publish and maintain a list of approved educational programs. The bill defines “credential” to mean a postsecondary certificate or other competency-based credential, but does not include an associate degree or any degree beyond an associate degree. The bill establishes eligibility criteria for the program. The bill provides that scholarship awards paid pursuant to the program shall not exceed the total cost charged by the institution attended by the national guard member for the educational program. The bill also provides that neither eligibility nor scholarship award determinations shall be based upon a national guard member’s unit, the location at which drills are attended, or whether the eligible individual is a member of the Iowa army or air national guard. The bill provides that the eligibility of applicants and scholarship award amounts to be paid shall be certified by the adjutant general of Iowa to the college student aid commission, and all amounts that are or become due to a community college, accredited private institution, or institution of higher learning under the control of the state board of regents under the program shall be paid to the college or institution by the college student aid commission upon receipt of certification by the president or governing board of 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 bill establishes that moneys appropriated for purposes of the program which remain unencumbered or unobligated at the close of the fiscal year shall not revert but shall be available for expenditure for the purposes designated upon the authority of the adjutant general.