Modifying provisions related to the national guard service scholarship program

_____ the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly. This bill modifies provisions related to the 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. Current law provides that, for purposes of the national guard service scholarship program, 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 strikes this provision.