S.B. 180 Enrolled

1

REGENTS' SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
2 2008 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Lyle W. Hillyard
5 House Sponsor: Mark W. Walker
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill establishes the Regents' Scholarship Program to award merit scholarships to
10 students who complete a rigorous core course of study in high school.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . modifies New Century Scholarship provisions;
14 . establishes the Regents' Scholarship Program, including:
15 . a base scholarship and supplemental scholarship awards; and
16 . scholarship qualifications, amounts, and procedures;
17 . establishes a Regents' Diploma Endorsement;
18 . requires the State Board of Regents to make certain policies; and
19 . makes certain appropriations nonlapsing.
20 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
21 This bill appropriates:
22 . for fiscal year 2008-09 only, $500,000 from the Education Fund to the State Board
23 of Regents; and
24 . as an ongoing appropriation subject to future budget constraints, $400,000 from the
25 Education Fund for fiscal year 2008-09 to the State Board of Regents.
26 Other Special Clauses:
27 This bill takes effect on July 1, 2008.
28 Utah Code Sections Affected:
29 AMENDS:

30 53B-8-105, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 151
31 ENACTS:
32 53B-8-108, Utah Code Annotated 1953
33 53B-8-109, Utah Code Annotated 1953
34 53B-8-110, Utah Code Annotated 1953
35 53B-8-111, Utah Code Annotated 1953
36
37 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
38 Section 1. Section 53B-8-105 is amended to read:
39 53B-8-105. New Century scholarships -- High school requirements.
40 (1) (a) In addition to Centennial Scholarships awarded under Section 53A-15-102 and
41 Career Teaching Scholarships awarded under Title 53B, Chapter 10, Terrel H. Bell Teaching
42 Incentive Loan Program, the State Board of Regents and the State Board of Education shall
43 jointly award New Century scholarships.
44 (b) In order to qualify for a New Century scholarship, a student in Utah schools shall
45 complete the requirements for an:
46 (i) associate degree; or
47 (ii) approved math and science curriculum.
48 (c) The requirements under Subsection (1)(b) shall be completed:
49 (i) September 1 of the year the student's class graduates from high school; and
50 (ii) with at least a "B average" or 3.0 grade point average.
51 (d) The State Board of Regents shall develop and approve the math and science
52 curriculum described under Subsection (1)(b)(ii).
53 (2) (a) The scholarship may be used at [any] a:
54 (i) higher education institution within the state system of higher education that offers
55 baccalaureate programs; or
56 (ii) private, nonprofit college or university in the state accredited by the Northwest
57 Association of Schools and Colleges that offers baccalaureate programs.

58 (b) (i) If used at an institution within the state system of higher education, the
59 scholarship is equal in value to 75% of the tuition costs at the selected institution.
60 (ii) If used at an institution not within the state system of higher education, the
61 scholarship is equal in value to 75% of the tuition costs at the institution, not to exceed 75% of
62 the average tuition costs at the institutions referred in Subsection (2)(b)(i).
63 (c) Each scholarship is valid for up to two years of full-time equivalent enrollment, or
64 until the requirements for a baccalaureate degree have been met, whichever is shorter.
65 (d) The State Board of Regents may grant a leave of absence to a scholarship holder,
66 but the scholarship must be used in its entirety within five years after completion of high school.
67 (3) The New Century scholarship may be canceled at any time by the institution of
68 attendance if the student fails to:
69 (a) maintain a "B average" for two consecutive semesters; or
70 (b) make reasonable progress towards the completion of a baccalaureate degree.
71 (4) (a) The Legislature shall make an annual appropriation from the General Fund to the
72 State Board of Regents for the costs associated with the New Century scholarship program
73 authorized under this section.
74 (b) It is understood that the appropriation is offset in part by the state moneys that
75 would otherwise be required and appropriated for these students if they were enrolled in a
76 four-year postsecondary program at a state-operated institution.
77 (c) Notwithstanding Subsections (1) and (2), if the appropriation under Subsection
78 (4)(a) is insufficient to cover the costs associated with the New Century scholarship program,
79 the State Board of Regents may limit or reduce scholarships.
80 (5) This section does not apply to a student who completes an associate of applied
81 technology degree from the Utah College of Applied Technology.
82 Section 2. Section 53B-8-108 is enacted to read:
83 53B-8-108. Regents' Scholarship Program -- General provisions -- Board policies.
84 (1) The Regents' Scholarship Program is created to award merit scholarships to
85 students who complete a rigorous core course of study in high school.

86 (2) A student who is awarded the Base Regents' Scholarship established in Section
87 53B-8-109 may also be awarded each of the supplemental awards established in Sections
88 53B-8-110 and 53B-8-111 .
89 (3) A Regents' Scholarship may only be used at a:
90 (a) higher education institution within the state system of higher education, including
91 the Utah College of Applied Technology;
92 (b) private, nonprofit college or university in this state that is accredited by the
93 Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges; or
94 (c) Western Undergraduate Exchange program that is approved by the board.
95 (4) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (4)(b), a scholarship holder shall enroll full
96 time at a higher education institution within the state system of higher education within 12
97 months of the student's high school graduation.
98 (b) The State Board of Regents may grant a leave of absence to a scholarship holder,
99 but the scholarship shall be used in its entirety within five years after completion of high school.
100 (5) (a) The board shall annually report on the Regents' Scholarship Program at the
101 beginning of each school year to the Education Interim Committee and the Higher Education
102 Appropriations Subcommittee.
103 (b) The report shall include the number of students in each school district and public
104 high school who meet the academic criteria for the Base Regents' Scholarship and for the
105 Exemplary Academic Achievement Scholarship.
106 (c) The State Board of Education, school districts, and public high schools shall
107 cooperate with the State Board of Regents to facilitate the collection and distribution of
108 Regents' Scholarship Program data.
109 (6) The State Board of Education shall annually provide the State Board of Regents a
110 complete list of directory information, including student name and address, for all grade 8
111 students in the state.
112 (7) The board shall, by July 15, 2008, adopt policies establishing:
113 (a) the high school and college course requirements, including group credit

114 requirements, described in Subsection 53B-8-109 (1)(e);
115 (b) the cumulative grade point average required in Sections 53B-8-109 and 53B-8-111 ;
116 (c) the additional weights assigned to grades earned in certain courses for purposes of
117 calculating a student's cumulative high school grade point average;
118 (d) the regional accrediting bodies that may accredit a private high school described in
119 Subsection 53B-8-109 (1)(a)(ii);
120 (e) the application process for a Regents' Scholarship, including procedures to allow a
121 parent or student to apply for the scholarship on-line; and
122 (f) Western Undergraduate Exchange programs that are approved for the use of a
123 Regents' Scholarship.
124 (8) (a) The Legislature shall make an annual appropriation from the Education Fund to
125 the State Board of Regents for the costs associated with the Regents' Scholarship Program
126 authorized under this section and Sections 53B-8-109 , 53B-8-110 , and 53B-8-111 .
127 (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section and Sections 53B-8-109 , 53B-8-110 ,
128 and 53B-8-111 , if the appropriation under Subsection (8)(a) is insufficient to cover the costs
129 associated with the Regents' Scholarship Program, the State Board of Regents may limit or
130 reduce the Base Regents' Scholarships and supplemental awards.
131 Section 3. Section 53B-8-109 is enacted to read:
132 53B-8-109. Regents' Scholarship Program -- Base Regents' Scholarship --
133 Qualifications -- Application.
134 (1) A Base Regents' Scholarship shall be awarded to a student who, by September 1 of
135 the year the student's class graduates from high school:
136 (a) completes the high school graduation requirements of:
137 (i) a public school established by the State Board of Education and the student's school
138 district or charter school; or
139 (ii) a private high school in the state that is accredited by a regional accrediting body
140 approved by the board;
141 (b) passes the basic skills competency test established in Section 53A-1-611 ;

142 (c) completes high school with a minimum cumulative weighted grade point average
143 determined by the board's policies;
144 (d) has at least one reported ACT test score; and
145 (e) completes:
146 (i) at least 22 units of core high school credit in grades 9-12, with no individual core
147 course grade below a "C", including credit subtotals required by the board from each of the
148 following groups:
149 (A) English;
150 (B) algebra or higher mathematics;
151 (C) social studies;
152 (D) lab-based natural science;
153 (E) sequential world or classical language other than English;
154 (F) arts;
155 (G) physical and health education;
156 (H) career and technical education;
157 (I) computer technology; and
158 (J) general financial literacy; or
159 (ii) the International Baccalaureate requirements, with no individual course grade below
160 a "C".
161 (2) To be eligible for the scholarship, a student:
162 (a) shall submit an application to the board with a copy of the student's official high
163 school transcript;
164 (b) shall be a citizen of the United States or a noncitizen who is eligible to receive
165 federal student aid; and
166 (c) may not have a criminal record, with the exception of misdemeanor traffic citations.
167 (3) For purposes of calculating a student's cumulative high school grade point average,
168 the board shall, by policy, assign additional weights to grades earned in English, mathematics,
169 laboratory science, social science, and foreign language courses identified as:

170 (a) advanced placement;
171 (b) pre-International Baccalaureate;
172 (c) International Baccalaureate; or
173 (d) concurrent enrollment.
174 (4) (a) The amount of the Base Regents' Scholarship is $1,000.
175 (b) The board shall annually increase the amount of the Base Regents' Scholarship by a
176 percentage equal to the average percentage tuition increase approved by the board for USHE
177 institutions.
178 Section 4. Section 53B-8-110 is enacted to read:
179 53B-8-110. Regents' Scholarship Program -- Supplemental award to encourage
180 college savings.
181 (1) A student who qualifies for the Base Regents' Scholarship in accordance with the
182 provisions of Section 53B-8-109 may be awarded up to an additional $400 as provided in this
183 section.
184 (2) A student who qualifies for the Base Regents' Scholarship shall be awarded up to
185 $100 for a year that:
186 (a) the student was 14, 15, 16, or 17 years of age; and
187 (b) at least $100 in contributions, excluding transfers, investment earnings, and interest,
188 was deposited in a Utah Educational Savings Plan Trust account that designated the student as
189 the beneficiary.
190 (3) (a) The award shall be an amount equal to a dollar for dollar match up to $100 for
191 each of the years described in Subsection (2)(a).
192 (b) The maximum award is $100 for a year, up to a cumulative total of $400.
193 Section 5. Section 53B-8-111 is enacted to read:
194 53B-8-111. Supplemental scholarship award -- Exemplary academic achievement
195 -- Regents' diploma.
196 (1) A student who qualifies for the Base Regents' Scholarship in accordance with the
197 provisions of Section 53B-8-109 shall be awarded an additional Exemplary Academic

198 Achievement Scholarship if the student, by September 1 of the year the student's class graduates
199 from high school:
200 (a) completes high school with a cumulative weighted grade point average of 3.5 or
201 higher, as determined by the board's policies;
202 (b) completes the 22 unit core course of study described in Subsection 53B-8-109 (1)(f)
203 with no core course grade lower than a "B"; and
204 (c) scores a composite ACT score of 26 or higher, as determined by the board's
205 policies, which may also include required college readiness benchmark scores in English,
206 mathematics, reading, and science.
207 (2) (a) If used at a higher education institution within the state system of higher
208 education, an Exemplary Academic Achievement Scholarship is equal in value to 75% of the
209 tuition costs at the selected institution.
210 (b) If used at a higher education institution that is not within the state system of higher
211 education, an Exemplary Academic Achievement Scholarship is equal in value to 75% of the
212 tuition costs at the institution, not to exceed 75% of the average tuition costs at the institutions
213 within the state system of higher education.
214 (c) An Exemplary Academic Achievement Scholarship is valid for up to two years of
215 full-time equivalent enrollment, or until the requirements of an associate's or bachelor's degree
216 have been met, whichever is shorter.
217 (3) The board may grant a leave of absence to an Exemplary Academic Achievement
218 Scholarship holder, but the scholarship shall be used in its entirety within five years after
219 completion of high school.
220 (4) An Exemplary Academic Achievement Scholarship may be canceled at any time by
221 the institution of attendance if the student fails to:
222 (a) register as a full-time student;
223 (b) maintain a "B" average for two consecutive semesters; or
224 (c) make reasonable progress towards the completion of either an associate's or
225 bachelor's degree.

226 (5) (a) A student who qualifies for the Exemplary Academic Achievement Scholarship
227 under this section shall also receive a Regents' Diploma Endorsement to be issued by the board.
228 (b) If qualified for in time, a Regents' Diploma Endorsement shall be awarded to the
229 student at high school commencement exercises.
230 Section 6. One-time appropriation.
231 (1) There is appropriated $500,000 from the Education Fund for fiscal year 2008-09
232 only, to the State Board of Regents to fund the Regents' Scholarship Program established in
233 Section 53B-8-108 .
234 (2) It is the intent of the Legislature that the appropriation under Subsection (1) is
235 nonlapsing.
236 Section 7. Ongoing appropriation.
237 As an ongoing appropriation subject to future budget constraints, there is appropriated
238 from the Education Fund for fiscal year 2008-09, $400,000 to the State Board of Regents to
239 fund the Regents' Scholarship Program established in Section 53B-8-108 .
240 Section 8. Effective date.
241 This bill takes effect on July 1, 2008.