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HSB 3

A bill for an act establishing the national guard service professional qualification scholarship program.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Creates a National Guard scholarship program that pays a member's tuition and related costs up to the school's total charges, via CSAC payments on AG certification.

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 117.
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Bill Summary · HSB 3

Summary: House Study Bill 3 (HSB 3) – National Guard Service Professional Qualification Scholarship Program

Note: The bill was approved in committee and renumbered as HF 117.

Overview

HSB 3 establishes the National Guard Service Professional Qualification Scholarship Program under Code section 256.210. The program is designed to fund higher education for National Guard members by covering tuition and related costs up to the institution’s total charge for the education program.

Purpose and Intent

  • To support National Guard members pursuing higher education and professional qualifications necessary for service.
  • To provide a dedicated funding mechanism that ensures eligible students have access to college-level programs, regardless of institution type within specified state-approved options.

Key Provisions

  • Award Amounts: Scholarship awards may not exceed the total cost charged by the student’s educational program at the institution attended.
  • Eligibility and Certification: Eligibility for applicants and the amounts to be paid must be certified by the Adjutant General to the College Student Aid Commission (CSAC).
  • Payment to Institutions: All amounts due to a community college, accredited private institution, or institution under the State Board of Regents for the program shall be paid to the college or institution by CSAC, upon:
    • Certification by the president or governing board of the educational institution as to:
    • Accuracy of charges
    • Attendance and academic progress of the individual
  • Administration and Funding: The Adjutant General is authorized to expend funds appropriated for the program. Funds that remain unencumbered or unobligated at the end of a fiscal year may be carried forward to the following fiscal year for the program.

Administration and Affected Parties

  • Administrating Agency: Adjutant General governs the program’s administration and expenditure of funds.
  • Governing Body Oversight: The College Student Aid Commission processes payments to institutions based on institutional certifications.
  • Institutions Eligible: Community colleges, accredited private institutions, and institutions of higher learning under the State Board of Regents’ control.
  • Beneficiaries: National Guard members seeking to further their education and professional qualifications.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduced: January 14, 2025
  • Subcommittee: January 21, 2025 (recommended passage)
  • Committee: January 21, 2025 (report recommending passage; vote 23 yeas, 0 nays)
  • Committee Report: January 21–23, 2025; renumbered to HF 117
  • Status: Committee report approving bill; renumbered as HF 117

Potential Impact

  • Expands state-level education support for National Guard members, aligning funding with institutional charges and requiring institutional attestations of charges and student progress.
  • Clarifies coordination among the Adjutant General, CSAC, and educational institutions to ensure timely and accurate payment.
  • Provides a funding carryover mechanism to preserve unspent program funds for subsequent years.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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