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2001 SESSION

015496716
HOUSE BILL NO. 2817
Offered January 19, 2001
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 4.1 of Title 23 an article numbered 4, consisting of sections numbered 23-38.19:6, 23-38.19:7 and 23-38.19:8, relating to the Virginia Community College Tuition Incentive Program.
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Patrons-- Scott, Amundson, Baskerville, Brink, Clement, Darner, Day, Deeds, Hull, Johnson, Jones, J.C., Keister, McEachin, Melvin, Pollard, Robinson, Spruill, Tate, Watts and Woodrum
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Referred to Committee on Education
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 4.1 of Title 23 an article numbered 4, consisting of sections numbered 23-38.19:6, 23-38.19:7 and 23-38.19:8, as follows:

Article 4.
Virginia Community College Tuition Incentive Program.

§ 23-38.19:6. Virginia Community College Tuition Incentive Program.

There is hereby created the Virginia Community College Tuition Incentive Program to award tuition grants to certain high school students to support full-time enrollment in a comprehensive community college within the Virginia Community College System, as defined in § 23-214. The Program shall be administered by the State Council of Higher Education, in consultation with the State Board for Community Colleges.

§ 23-38.19:7. Virginia Community College Tuition Incentive Fund created.

A. From such funds as are appropriated for this purpose and from such gifts, donations, grants, bequests, and other funds as may be received on its behalf, there is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Virginia Community College Tuition Incentive Fund, hereafter referred to as the "Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Funds may be paid to comprehensive community colleges on behalf of students who have been awarded tuition grants pursuant to this article.

The State Treasurer shall make expenditures and disbursements from the Fund on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Director of the State Council of Higher Education.

B. The Council shall promulgate regulations for the implementation of the provisions of this article, including criteria for determining tuition grant amounts. In promulgating such regulations and administering the Program, the Council shall coordinate with the State Board for Community Colleges regarding admissions requirements and other issues as may be appropriate.

The Council shall award tuition grants to all eligible students for no more than one academic year. The full amount of such grants shall be used for tuition, fees, or other educational expenditures approved by the State Council.

§ 23-38.19:8. Eligible students; criteria for award of scholarships.

Only Virginia high school students who (i) are domiciled residents of Virginia as described by § 23-7.4; (ii) have maintained at least a 2.0 grade point average on a scale of 4.0, or its equivalent, after completing the twelfth grade and obtaining a diploma from a Virginia public high school; and (iii) have been accepted for full-time enrollment at a comprehensive community college within the Virginia Community College System shall be eligible for the tuition grants awarded pursuant to this article.