HB 2752 creates a new Arizona higher education financial aid program administered by the Arizona Board of Regents. The bill requires the board to establish application, evaluation, and approval procedures for the program and to distribute aid to eligible students attending Arizona public universities or community colleges. To qualify, a student must be an Arizona resident, be enrolled or accepted for enrollment at a qualifying institution, and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
The bill also imposes a $300 annual surcharge on tuition paid by each nonresident student. The revenue from that surcharge, along with legislative appropriations, would be deposited into a continuously appropriated Arizona higher education financial aid program fund. Beginning in 2026, the board would use the fund to cover the full tuition and fees of qualifying students, with aid distributed on a first-come, first-served basis if available money is insufficient. The board may retain up to 5% of the fund for administration and must adopt rules to implement the program.
Impact
HB 2752 would amend Arizona education law by adding new statutory sections governing a tuition surcharge on out-of-state students and creating a dedicated financial aid fund for resident students. It would shift tuition revenue from nonresident students into a state-administered aid pool and authorize a $500,000 general fund appropriation for fiscal year 2025-2026. The bill would also make the new fund continuously appropriated, meaning the money would remain available without lapsing, and would require the Board of Regents to administer distributions under new eligibility and rulemaking requirements.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate, support, or opposition in the available materials. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears designed to expand access to higher education for Arizona residents by financing tuition assistance through a surcharge on nonresident students and a state appropriation. The overall framing suggests a policy focus on affordability and resident student support.
Contention
The main likely point of contention is the $300 surcharge on nonresident students, which could be viewed as a cost increase for out-of-state enrollees and a potential competitiveness issue for Arizona institutions. Another possible concern is the first-come, first-served distribution method if funds are insufficient, which may raise fairness questions among eligible students. The bill’s use of a continuous appropriation and the Board of Regents’ administrative authority could also draw scrutiny from those concerned about fiscal oversight or program design.