Regular Session 2023-2024 Senate Bill 1150 P.N. 1711

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 1555

PRINTER'S NO. 1711

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE BILL

No.

1150

Session of

2024

INTRODUCED BY MARTIN, K. WARD, PITTMAN, AUMENT, ARGALL,

PENNYCUICK, LANGERHOLC, LAUGHLIN, MASTRIANO, REGAN, STEFANO,

VOGEL AND J. WARD, APRIL 26, 2024

AS AMENDED ON THIRD CONSIDERATION, JUNE 10, 2024

AN ACT

Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An

act relating to the public school system, including certain

provisions applicable as well to private and parochial

schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the

laws relating thereto," establishing the Grow Pennsylvania

Scholarship Grant Program; and imposing powers and duties on

the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known

as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding an

article to read:

ARTICLE XXVI-M

GROW PENNSYLVANIA SCHOLARSHIP GRANT PROGRAM

Section 2601-M. Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this article

shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Agency." The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance

Agency.

"Approved course of study." A program offered by an

institution of higher education that provides instruction in

agriculture, computer science, criminal justice, business,

education, SPECIAL EDUCATION, STEM EDUCATION, engineering,

nursing , ALLIED HEALTH , trades or other in-demand occupations

approved by the agency in consultation with the Independent

Fiscal Office.

"Grant." A Grow Pennsylvania Scholarship Grant awarded under

this article.

"In-demand occupation." A job that is in demand by employers

in this Commonwealth, requires a high level of skill and is

likely to provide family sustaining wages.

"Institution of higher education." An institution of higher

learning that is located in this Commonwealth and approved by

the agency for enrollment of grant recipients under the act of

January 25, 1966 (1965 P.L.1546, No.541), referred to as the

Higher Education Scholarship Law.

"INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION." EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING:

(1) AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING THAT IS LOCATED IN

THIS COMMONWEALTH AND APPROVED BY THE AGENCY FOR ENROLLMENT

OF GRANT RECIPIENTS UNDER THE ACT OF JANUARY 25, 1966 (1965

P.L.1546, NO.541), REFERRED TO AS THE HIGHER EDUCATION

SCHOLARSHIP LAW.

(2) AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION ESTABLISHED UNDER

ARTICLE XIX-G.

"Program." The Grow Pennsylvania Scholarship Grant Program

established under this article.

"STEM." SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS.

"Student." A resident of this Commonwealth who attends or is

about to attend an institution of higher education.

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"Trade." A program offered by the Pennsylvania College of

Technology and Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.

Section 2602-M. Grow Pennsylvania Scholarship Grant Program.

The Grow Pennsylvania Scholarship Grant Program is

established within the agency.

Section 2603-M. Agency duties.

The agency shall:

(1) Administer the program and, in its sole discretion,

award grants to students who submit a completed application

and satisfy the eligibility criteria in paragraph (4). The

agency shall develop an application form that students may

use to apply for a grant. The application of a student under

18 years of age must include the signature of a parent or

guardian.

(2) Use money appropriated for the purpose of awarding

grants.

(3) Award a grant to a student in an amount of $5,000

per academic year or a lesser amount if the total amount of

Federal and State grants available to the student exceeds the

educational cost as determined by the agency.

(4) Establish eligibility criteria in order for a

student to receive a grant. The criteria shall, at a minimum,

include that a student must:

(i) Be a resident of this Commonwealth as defined by

the agency.

(ii) Be enrolled in person in an approved course of

study , EXCEPT THAT A PERSON MAY TAKE OCCASIONAL ONLINE

COURSES .

(iii) Enter into a written agreement with the agency

to:

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(A) Satisfy all degree requirements and other

requirements under this article.

(B) Commence employment in this Commonwealth

within one year after completion of an approved

course of study culminating in a bachelor's or

associate's degree. The employment must be in a field

AN IN- DEMAND OCCUPATION , as determined by the agency,

related to the approved course of study for a period

of 15 months for each academic year the student

received a grant, unless the agency determines that

there are extenuating circumstances.

received under this article, including interest, as

determined by the agency, if the student fails to

comply with clauses (A) and (B).

AMOUNT OF A SCHOLARSHIP RECEIVED UNDER THIS ARTICLE

IF THE STUDENT FAILS TO COMPLY WITH CLAUSES (A) AND

(B). THE AGENCY, IN ITS DISCRETION, MAY CHARGE

INTEREST. FOR A STUDENT WHO PARTIALLY SATISFIES THE

WORK REQUIREMENT, THE AGENCY SHALL PRORATE THE

REQUIRED REIMBURSEMENT.

(5) Monitor and verify a student's compliance with the

agreement and enforce repayment of all grants for a student

who does not comply with the provisions of this section,

including use of all lawful collection procedures and of

private collection agencies. PROCEDURES. NOTHING UNDER THIS

PARAGRAPH SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO REQUIRE AN INSTITUTION OF

HIGHER EDUCATION TO ENFORCE ANY PROVISION OF THIS ARTICLE

RELATING TO REPAYMENT OF FUNDS FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE

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PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.

Section 2604-M. Term of grant.

A grant shall be for a maximum of four academic years.

Section 2605-M. Grant priority.

Grants shall be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis

and in subsequent years first priority for awarding grants shall

be given to renewal applicants.

Section 2606-M. Limitations.

The number of grants shall be limited to the amount of money

appropriated to the agency for the program.

Section 2607-M. Termination.

(A) GENERAL RULE.-- If a student terminates enrollment in the

approved course of study during the academic year or prior to

completion of the approved course of study, the institution of

higher education shall notify the agency in writing and shall

return any unused portion of the grant to the agency.

(B) CONSTRUCTION.--NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE

CONSTRUED TO CHANGE A STUDENT'S ELIGIBILITY FOR A GRANT IF THE

STUDENT TERMINATES ENROLLMENT IN ONE APPROVED COURSE OF STUDY

AND ENROLLS IN A DIFFERENT COURSE OF STUDY.

Section 2608-M. Reimbursed and returned money.

Money reimbursed and returned under sections 2603-M and 2607-

M shall be used to provide additional grants.

Section 2609-M. Exception.

The agency shall postpone the work requirement under section

2603-M for extenuating circumstances, as determined by the

agency, or if the student enrolls in a higher level degree

program. A student that enrolls in a higher level degree program

must provide the agency with documentation showing continual

status as a full-time student in order to be given a

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postponement by the agency under this section.

Section 2610-M. Taxation.

Grants received by a student shall not be considered taxable

income for purposes of Article III of the act of March 4, 1971

(P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971.

Section 2611-M. Financial assistance.

Grants shall not be considered financial assistance or

appropriations to the approved educational institution.

SECTION 2611-M. CONSTRUCTION.

NOTHING IN THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO DISQUALIFY AN

INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION FROM RECEIPT OF MONEY UNDER THE

ACT OF JULY 18, 1974 (P.L.483, NO.174), KNOWN AS THE

INSTITUTIONAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS ACT.

Section 2612-M. Duties of Independent Fiscal Office.

The Independent Fiscal Office shall provide advice to the

agency with regard to the identification of in-demand

occupations. No later than December 31, 2024, and each year

thereafter, the Independent Fiscal Office shall develop and

transmit a list of in-demand occupations to the agency. In the

development of the list of in-demand occupations, the

Independent Fiscal Office shall consult with the Department of

Labor and Industry, business and industry trade associations,

employee organizations and other parties that may provide

information beneficial to the development of the list.

SECTION 2613-M. PUBLIC OUTREACH.

THE SYSTEM SHALL ACTIVELY ADVERTISE AND MARKET THE PROGRAM TO

RESIDENT STUDENTS AND INCLUDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM ON

THE HOME PAGE OF THE SYSTEM'S PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE INTERNET

WEBSITE.

Section 2613-M 2614-M . Report.

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The agency shall prepare and submit to the Governor and the

General Assembly no later than December 31, 2025, and each year

NO LESS THAN EVERY THREE YEARS thereafter, a report detailing

the operation of the program. The report shall, at a minimum,

include:

(1) A list of the in-demand occupation for what grants

may be sought.

(2) The number of grant applicants.

(3) The number of grants awarded to students.

(4) The number of grants awarded to students by approved

course of study.

(5) The number of grants awarded to students by

institution of higher education.

(6) The average value of a grant award.

(7) The number of grant recipients that are employed and

meeting the work requirement under section 2603-M(4)(iii)(B).

(8) The number of grant recipients that are employed and

meeting the work requirement by occupation.

(9) The number of grant recipients that have not met the

work requirement.

(10) The amount of money reimbursed to the Commonwealth

by grant recipients that have not met the work requirement.

Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.

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