A bill for an act providing for a waiver of undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees and a stipend at regents institutions for Iowa residents who receive the maximum score on certain standardized tests.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brent Siegrist

HF 154 waives tuition and fees for Iowa residents scoring highest on college readiness tests, plus a $5,000 stipend, boosting access to higher education.

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 577.

#collegesanduniversities #regentsboard #tuition

Bill Overview

Bill Number: HF 154
Title: A bill for an act providing for a waiver of undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees and a stipend at regents institutions for Iowa residents who receive the maximum score on certain standardized tests.
Status: Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 577.
Introduced: January 30, 2025
Classification: Bill
Subject: Colleges and Universities, Regents Board, Tuition

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of HF 154 is to incentivize academic excellence among Iowa residents by providing financial support to students who achieve the highest possible scores on recognized college readiness assessments. This initiative aims to encourage more students to pursue higher education and to recognize and reward exceptional academic performance.

Key Provisions

Tuition Waiver: The bill mandates that regents institutions in Iowa waive undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees for residents who achieve the maximum score on either:

The college readiness assessment administered by ACT, Inc.
The college readiness assessment administered by the College Board.

Stipend: Eligible students will receive a stipend of $5,000 per semester to assist with educational expenses.

Documentation Requirement: Students must provide documentation of their qualifying test scores to be eligible for the tuition waiver and stipend.

Academic Progress: To maintain eligibility for the waiver and stipend, students must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress toward graduation. The Board of Regents may establish specific standards for what constitutes satisfactory progress.

Impact

Who Would Be Affected

Eligible Students: Iowa residents who achieve the maximum score on designated college readiness assessments will benefit directly from this bill through financial support.

Regents Institutions: The bill will impact public universities and colleges governed by the Board of Regents in Iowa, as they will be required to implement the tuition waivers and stipends.

Financial Implications

The financial implications for the state and regents institutions may include:
- Increased enrollment of high-achieving students, potentially leading to a more educated workforce.
- Budget considerations for the regents institutions to accommodate the waived tuition and stipends.

Legislative Timeline

January 30, 2025: Bill introduced and referred to the Higher Education Committee.

February 3, 2025: Subcommittee formed (Hora, Collins, and Kurth).

February 6, 2025: Subcommittee meeting held.

February 11, 2025: Subcommittee recommends passage.

February 19, 2025: Committee report recommending amendment and passage; committee vote results: Yeas 8, Nays 3.

February 24, 2025: Committee report approving the bill; renumbered as HF 577.

Conclusion

HF 154 represents a significant step towards promoting academic excellence in Iowa by providing financial incentives for high-achieving students. By waiving tuition and offering stipends, the bill aims to enhance access to higher education for Iowa residents, fostering a culture of academic achievement and supporting the state's educational goals.

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