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S.B. 100

             1     

HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP AMENDMENTS

             2     
2013 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Jerry W. Stevenson

             5     
House Sponsor: Derek E. Brown

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies requirements related to certain higher education scholarships.
             10      Highlighted Provisions:
             11          This bill:
             12          .    allows the Board of Regents to assign additional weights to grades earned in
             13      International Baccalaureate program courses in determining scholarship eligibility
             14      in the Regents' Scholarship Program;
             15          .    beginning July 1, 2013, changes the requirement for a student receiving a New
             16      Century scholarship or an Exemplary Academic Achievement award under the
             17      Regents' Scholarship Program to:
             18              .    register for at least 15 credit hours per semester; and
             19              .    maintain a 3.3 GPA; and
             20          .    exempts the Board of Regents from verifying lawful presence of certain scholarship
             21      applicants.
             22      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             23          None
             24      Other Special Clauses:
             25          None
             26      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             27      AMENDS:


             28          53B-8-105, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 270
             29          53B-8-109, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 270
             30          53B-8-111, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 270
             31          63G-12-402, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2012, Chapters 192 and 369
             32     
             33      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             34          Section 1. Section 53B-8-105 is amended to read:
             35           53B-8-105. New Century scholarships -- High school requirements.
             36          (1) As used in this section, "complete the requirements for an associate degree" means
             37      that a student:
             38          (a) (i) completes all the required courses for an associate degree from a higher
             39      education institution within the state system of higher education that offers associate degrees;
             40      and
             41          (ii) applies for the associate degree from the institution; or
             42          (b) completes equivalent requirements described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) from a higher
             43      education institution within the state system of higher education that offers baccalaureate
             44      degrees but does not offer associate degrees.
             45          (2) (a) The board shall award New Century scholarships.
             46          (b) The board shall develop and approve the math and science curriculum described
             47      under Subsection (3)(a)(ii).
             48          (3) (a) In order to qualify for a New Century scholarship, a student in Utah schools
             49      shall complete the requirements for an:
             50          (i) associate degree; or
             51          (ii) approved math and science curriculum.
             52          (b) The requirements under Subsection (3)(a) shall be completed:
             53          (i) (A) for a student whose class graduates from high school in 2010 or before, by
             54      September 1 of the year the student's class graduates from high school; or
             55          (B) for a student whose class graduates from high school in 2011 or after, by the day on
             56      which the student's class graduates from high school; and
             57          (ii) with at least a 3.0 grade point average.
             58          (c) In addition to the requirements in Subsection (3)(a), a student in Utah schools


             59      whose class graduates from high school in 2011 or after shall:
             60          (i) complete the high school graduation requirements of:
             61          (A) a public high school established by the State Board of Education and the student's
             62      school district or charter school; or
             63          (B) a private high school in the state that is accredited by a regional accrediting body
             64      approved by the board; and
             65          (ii) complete high school with at least a 3.5 cumulative high school grade point
             66      average.
             67          (4) Notwithstanding Subsection (3), for a student who does not receive a high school
             68      grade point average, the student shall:
             69          (a) complete the requirements for an associate degree:
             70          (i) (A) for a student who completes high school in 2010 or before, by September 1 of
             71      the year the student completes high school; or
             72          (B) for a student who completes high school in 2011 or after, by June 15 of the year the
             73      student completes high school; and
             74          (ii) with at least a 3.0 grade point average; and
             75          (b) score a composite ACT score of 26 or higher.
             76          (5) To be eligible for the scholarship, a student:
             77          (a) shall submit an application to the board with:
             78          (i) an official college transcript showing college courses the student has completed to
             79      complete the requirements for an associate degree; and
             80          (ii) (A) if applicable, an official high school transcript; or
             81          (B) if applicable, a copy of the student's ACT scores;
             82          (b) shall be a citizen of the United States or a noncitizen who is eligible to receive
             83      federal student aid;
             84          (c) may not have a criminal record, with the exception of a misdemeanor traffic
             85      citation; and
             86          (d) if applicable, shall meet the application deadlines as established by the board under
             87      Subsection (10).
             88          (6) (a) The scholarship may be used at a:
             89          (i) higher education institution within the state system of higher education that offers


             90      baccalaureate programs; or
             91          (ii) private, nonprofit college or university in the state accredited by the Northwest
             92      Association of Schools and Colleges that offers baccalaureate programs.
             93          (b) For a student whose class graduates from high school in 2010 and who completes
             94      the requirements under Subsection (3)(a) by September 1, 2010:
             95          (i) if used at an institution described in Subsection (6)(a)(i), the value of the
             96      scholarship is up to 75% of the tuition costs at the selected institution; or
             97          (ii) if used at an institution described in Subsection (6)(a)(ii), the value of the
             98      scholarship is up to 75% of the tuition costs at the institution, not to exceed 75% of the average
             99      tuition costs at the institutions referred in Subsection (6)(a)(i).
             100          (c) (i) For a student whose class graduates in 2011 or after and who completes the
             101      requirements under this section, the total value of the scholarship is up to $5,000, allocated
             102      over a time period described in Subsection (6)(d), as prescribed by the board.
             103          (ii) The board may increase the scholarship amount described in Subsection (6)(c)(i) by
             104      an amount not to exceed the average percentage tuition increase approved by the board for
             105      institutions in the state system of higher education.
             106          (d) The scholarship is valid for the shortest of the following time periods:
             107          (i) two years of full-time equivalent enrollment;
             108          (ii) 60 credit hours; or
             109          (iii) until the student meets the requirements for a baccalaureate degree.
             110          (e) (i) A scholarship holder shall enroll full-time at a higher education institution by no
             111      later than the fall term immediately following the student's high school graduation date or
             112      receive an approved deferral from the board.
             113          (ii) The board may grant a deferral or leave of absence to a scholarship holder, but the
             114      student may only receive scholarship money within five years of the student's high school
             115      graduation date.
             116          (7) (a) The board may cancel a New Century scholarship at any time if the student fails
             117      to:
             118          [(a)] (i) register as a full-time student;
             119          [(b)] (ii) maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average for two consecutive semesters; or
             120          [(c)] (iii) make reasonable progress towards the completion of a baccalaureate degree.


             121          (b) Beginning July 1, 2013, the board may cancel a New Century scholarship at any
             122      time if the student fails to:
             123          (i) register for at least 15 credit hours per semester;
             124          (ii) maintain a 3.3 grade point average for two consecutive semesters; or
             125          (iii) make reasonable progress towards the completion of a baccalaureate degree.
             126          (8) (a) Subject to future budget constraints, the Legislature shall make an annual
             127      appropriation from the General Fund to the board for the costs associated with the New
             128      Century Scholarship Program authorized under this section.
             129          (b) It is understood that the appropriation is offset in part by the state money that would
             130      otherwise be required and appropriated for these students if they were enrolled in a four-year
             131      postsecondary program at a state-operated institution.
             132          (c) Notwithstanding Subsections (2)(a) and (6), if the appropriation under Subsection
             133      (8)(a) is insufficient to cover the costs associated with the New Century Scholarship Program,
             134      the board may reduce the scholarship amount.
             135          (9) (a) The board shall adopt policies establishing an application process and an appeal
             136      process for a New Century scholarship.
             137          (b) The board shall disclose on all applications and related materials that the amount of
             138      the scholarship is subject to funding and may be reduced, in accordance with Subsection (8)(c).
             139          (10) The board may set deadlines for receiving New Century scholarship applications
             140      and supporting documentation.
             141          (11) A student may not receive both a New Century scholarship and a Regents'
             142      scholarship established in Section 53B-8-108 .
             143          Section 2. Section 53B-8-109 is amended to read:
             144           53B-8-109. Regents' Scholarship Program -- Base Regents' scholarship --
             145      Qualifications -- Application.
             146          (1) A student qualifies for a Base Regents' scholarship if the student:
             147          (a) completes the high school graduation requirements of:
             148          (i) a public school established by the State Board of Education and the student's school
             149      district or charter school; or
             150          (ii) a private high school in the state that is accredited by a regional accrediting body
             151      approved by the board;


             152          (b) completes high school with at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average;
             153          (c) has at least one reported ACT test score; and
             154          (d) (i) completes the following high school or college credit in grades 9-12:
             155          (A) four units of credit of English;
             156          (B) four units of credit of mathematics;
             157          (C) three and one-half units of credit of social science;
             158          (D) three units of credit of lab-based natural science; and
             159          (E) two units of credit of sequential world or classical language other than English; and
             160          (ii) except as provided in Subsection (4), earns a course grade on a transcript of "C" or
             161      above in each individual course listed in Subsection (1)(d)(i).
             162          (2) The board shall establish policies to determine specific courses that meet the
             163      requirements under Subsection (1)(d)(i).
             164          (3) To be eligible for the scholarship, a student:
             165          (a) shall submit an application to the board with:
             166          (i) a copy of the student's official high school transcript and ACT scores; and
             167          (ii) if applicable, a college transcript showing a college course the student has
             168      completed to meet the requirements of Subsection (1)(d);
             169          (b) shall be a citizen of the United States or a noncitizen who is eligible to receive
             170      federal student aid;
             171          (c) may not have a criminal record, with the exception of a misdemeanor traffic
             172      citation; and
             173          (d) if applicable, shall meet the application deadlines as established by the board under
             174      Subsection 53B-8-108 (9).
             175          (4) For purposes of determining if a student meets the grade requirements of
             176      Subsection (1)(d)(ii), the board shall assign additional weights to grades earned in courses
             177      described in Subsection (1)(d)(i) that are advanced placement [or], concurrent enrollment, or
             178      International Baccalaureate program courses.
             179          (5) (a) The amount of the Base Regents' scholarship is $1,000.
             180          (b) The board may adjust the amount of the Base Regents' scholarship by up to a
             181      percentage of the average percentage tuition increase approved by the board for institutions in
             182      the system of higher education.


             183          Section 3. Section 53B-8-111 is amended to read:
             184           53B-8-111. Supplemental scholarship award -- Exemplary academic achievement
             185      -- Regents' diploma.
             186          (1) A student who qualifies for the Base Regents' scholarship in accordance with the
             187      provisions of Section 53B-8-109 shall qualify for an additional Exemplary Academic
             188      Achievement scholarship if the student:
             189          (a) completes high school with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher;
             190          (b) except as provided in Subsection (7), [completes the course of study described]
             191      earns a course grade on a transcript of "B" or above in each individual course listed in
             192      Subsection 53B-8-109 (1)(d)(i) [with no course grade on a transcript lower than a "B"]; and
             193          (c) (i) scores a composite ACT score of 26 or higher; and
             194          (ii) if determined by the board's policies, achieves additional ACT college readiness
             195      benchmark scores in English, mathematics, reading, and science.
             196          (2) For a student who graduates from high school in the 2009-10 school year:
             197          (a) if used at a higher education institution described in Subsection 53B-8-108 (3)(a),
             198      the value of an Exemplary Academic Achievement scholarship is up to 75% of the tuition costs
             199      at the selected institution; or
             200          (b) if used at a higher education institution described in Subsection 53B-8-108 (3)(b),
             201      the value of an Exemplary Academic Achievement scholarship is up to 75% of the tuition costs
             202      at the institution, not to exceed 75% of the average tuition costs at the institutions described in
             203      Subsection 53B-8-108 (3)(a).
             204          (3) (a) For a student who graduates from high school in or after the 2010-11 school
             205      year, the total value of an Exemplary Academic Achievement scholarship is up to $5,000,
             206      allocated over a time period described in Subsection (4), as prescribed by the board.
             207          (b) The board may adjust the amount of the Exemplary Academic Achievement
             208      scholarship by up to a percentage of the average percentage tuition increase approved by the
             209      board for institutions in the state system of higher education.
             210          (4) An Exemplary Academic Achievement scholarship is valid for the shortest of the
             211      following time periods:
             212          (a) two years of full-time equivalent enrollment;
             213          (b) 65 credit hours; or


             214          (c) until the student meets the requirements for a baccalaureate degree.
             215          (5) (a) The board may cancel an Exemplary Academic Achievement scholarship at any
             216      time if the student fails to:
             217          [(a)] (i) register as a full-time student;
             218          [(b)] (ii) maintain a 3.0 grade point average for two consecutive semesters; or
             219          [(c)] (iii) make reasonable progress towards the completion of a baccalaureate degree.
             220          (b) Beginning July 1, 2013, the board may cancel an Exemplary Academic
             221      Achievement scholarship at any time if the student fails to:
             222          (i) register for at least 15 credit hours per semester;
             223          (ii) maintain a 3.3 grade point average for two consecutive semesters; or
             224          (iii) make reasonable progress towards the completion of a baccalaureate degree.
             225          (6) A student who qualifies for the Exemplary Academic Achievement scholarship
             226      under this section may also receive a Regents' diploma endorsement to be issued by the board.
             227          (7) For purposes of determining if a student meets the grade requirements of
             228      Subsection (1)(b), the board shall assign additional weights to grades earned in courses
             229      described in Subsection 53B-8-109 (1)(d)(i) that are advanced placement [or], concurrent
             230      enrollment, or International Baccalaureate program courses.
             231          Section 4. Section 63G-12-402 is amended to read:
             232           63G-12-402. Receipt of state, local, or federal public benefits -- Verification --
             233      Exceptions -- Fraudulently obtaining benefits -- Criminal penalties -- Annual report.
             234          (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (3) or when exempted by federal law, an
             235      agency or political subdivision of the state shall verify the lawful presence in the United States
             236      of an individual at least 18 years of age who applies for:
             237          (i) a state or local public benefit as defined in 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1621; or
             238          (ii) a federal public benefit as defined in 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1611, that is administered by an
             239      agency or political subdivision of this state.
             240          (b) For purpose of a license issued under Title 58, Chapter 55, Utah Construction
             241      Trades Licensing Act, to an applicant that is an unincorporated entity, the Department of
             242      Commerce shall verify in accordance with this Subsection (1) the lawful presence in the United
             243      States of each individual who:
             244          (i) owns an interest in the contractor that is an unincorporated entity; and


             245          (ii) engages, or will engage, in a construction trade in Utah as an owner of the
             246      contractor described in Subsection (1)(b)(i).
             247          (2) This section shall be enforced without regard to race, religion, gender, ethnicity, or
             248      national origin.
             249          (3) Verification of lawful presence under this section is not required for:
             250          (a) any purpose for which lawful presence in the United States is not restricted by law,
             251      ordinance, or regulation;
             252          (b) assistance for health care items and services that:
             253          (i) are necessary for the treatment of an emergency medical condition, as defined in 42
             254      U.S.C. Sec. 1396b(v)(3), of the individual involved; and
             255          (ii) are not related to an organ transplant procedure;
             256          (c) short-term, noncash, in-kind emergency disaster relief;
             257          (d) public health assistance for immunizations with respect to immunizable diseases
             258      and for testing and treatment of symptoms of communicable diseases whether or not the
             259      symptoms are caused by the communicable disease;
             260          (e) programs, services, or assistance such as soup kitchens, crisis counseling and
             261      intervention, and short-term shelter, specified by the United States Attorney General, in the
             262      sole and unreviewable discretion of the United States Attorney General after consultation with
             263      appropriate federal agencies and departments, that:
             264          (i) deliver in-kind services at the community level, including through public or private
             265      nonprofit agencies;
             266          (ii) do not condition the provision of assistance, the amount of assistance provided, or
             267      the cost of assistance provided on the income or resources of the individual recipient; and
             268          (iii) are necessary for the protection of life or safety;
             269          (f) the exemption for paying the nonresident portion of total tuition as set forth in
             270      Section 53B-8-106 ;
             271          (g) an applicant for a license under Section 61-1-4 , if the applicant:
             272          (i) is registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority; and
             273          (ii) files an application with the state Division of Securities through the Central
             274      Registration Depository;
             275          (h) a state public benefit to be given to an individual under Title 49, Utah State


             276      Retirement and Insurance Benefit Act;
             277          (i) a home loan that will be insured, guaranteed, or purchased by:
             278          (i) the Federal Housing Administration, the Veterans Administration, or any other
             279      federal agency; or
             280          (ii) an enterprise as defined in 12 U.S.C. Sec. 4502;
             281          (j) a subordinate loan or a grant that will be made to an applicant in connection with a
             282      home loan that does not require verification under Subsection (3)(i); [and]
             283          (k) an applicant for a license issued by the Department of Commerce or individual
             284      described in Subsection (1)(b), if the applicant or individual provides the Department of
             285      Commerce:
             286          (i) certification, under penalty of perjury, that the applicant or individual is:
             287          (A) a United States citizen;
             288          (B) a qualified alien as defined in 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1641; or
             289          (C) lawfully present in the United States; and
             290          (ii) (A) the number assigned to a driver license or identification card issued under Title
             291      53, Chapter 3, Uniform Driver License Act; or
             292          (B) the number assigned to a driver license or identification card issued by a state other
             293      than Utah if, as part of issuing the driver license or identification card, the state verifies an
             294      individual's lawful presence in the United States[.]; and
             295          (l) an applicant for:
             296          (i) a Regents' scholarship described in Section 53B-8-109 ; or
             297          (ii) a New Century scholarship described in Section 53B-8-105 .
             298          (4) (a) An agency or political subdivision required to verify the lawful presence in the
             299      United States of an applicant under this section shall require the applicant to certify under
             300      penalty of perjury that:
             301          (i) the applicant is a United States citizen; or
             302          (ii) the applicant is:
             303          (A) a qualified alien as defined in 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1641; and
             304          (B) lawfully present in the United States.
             305          (b) The certificate required under this Subsection (4) shall include a statement advising
             306      the signer that providing false information subjects the signer to penalties for perjury.


             307          (5) An agency or political subdivision shall verify a certification required under
             308      Subsection (4)(a)(ii) through the federal SAVE program.
             309          (6) (a) An individual who knowingly and willfully makes a false, fictitious, or
             310      fraudulent statement or representation in a certification under Subsection (3)(k) or (4) is subject
             311      to the criminal penalties applicable in this state for:
             312          (i) making a written false statement under Subsection 76-8-504 (2); and
             313          (ii) fraudulently obtaining:
             314          (A) public assistance program benefits under Sections 76-8-1205 and 76-8-1206 ; or
             315          (B) unemployment compensation under Section 76-8-1301 .
             316          (b) If the certification constitutes a false claim of United States citizenship under 18
             317      U.S.C. Sec. 911, the agency or political subdivision shall file a complaint with the United
             318      States Attorney General for the applicable district based upon the venue in which the
             319      application was made.
             320          (c) If an agency or political subdivision receives verification that a person making an
             321      application for a benefit, service, or license is not a qualified alien, the agency or political
             322      subdivision shall provide the information to the Office of the Attorney General unless
             323      prohibited by federal mandate.
             324          (7) An agency or political subdivision may adopt variations to the requirements of this
             325      section that:
             326          (a) clearly improve the efficiency of or reduce delay in the verification process; or
             327          (b) provide for adjudication of unique individual circumstances where the verification
             328      procedures in this section would impose an unusual hardship on a legal resident of Utah.
             329          (8) It is unlawful for an agency or a political subdivision of this state to provide a state,
             330      local, or federal benefit, as defined in 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1611 and 1621, in violation of this section.
             331          (9) A state agency or department that administers a program of state or local public
             332      benefits shall:
             333          (a) provide an annual report to the governor, the president of the Senate, and the
             334      speaker of the House regarding its compliance with this section; and
             335          (b) (i) monitor the federal SAVE program for application verification errors and
             336      significant delays;
             337          (ii) provide an annual report on the errors and delays to ensure that the application of


             338      the federal SAVE program is not erroneously denying a state or local benefit to a legal resident
             339      of the state; and
             340          (iii) report delays and errors in the federal SAVE program to the United States
             341      Department of Homeland Security.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 2-1-13 3:59 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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