Tuition Equalization Grants at Private Colleges and Universities; definition of approved school; revise
Summary
SB 149 amends Georgia’s tuition equalization grant law for private colleges and universities by revising the definition of an “approved school” eligible to receive these funds. The bill updates the eligibility language for qualified proprietary institutions of higher education, including requirements that the institution be a Georgia-based, baccalaureate degree-granting school accredited by SACSCOC as a Level VI institution, not be a Bible school or theology/divinity school, admit only students with a high school diploma, approved HSE diploma, or prior postsecondary degree, and have students eligible for federal Pell Grants.
The bill also changes the timing and location requirements for eligibility, specifying that the institution must be domiciled and incorporated in Georgia and have been located in the state since on or before January 1, 2021, while also meeting all listed criteria by January 1, 2021. It retains and clarifies the factors used to evaluate approval for tuition equalization grant funding, such as academic quality, student placement, research and library resources, faculty and staff, financial resources, and physical facilities.
Impact
SB 149 narrows and clarifies which private proprietary institutions may qualify as approved schools for Georgia’s tuition equalization grants, which are state funds used to help Georgia residents attending eligible private colleges and universities. By updating the date-based eligibility language and reaffirming accreditation, domicile, and operational standards, the bill affects both the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission’s approval process and the institutions that can receive grant support. It does not create a new grant program, but it changes the statutory definition that governs access to existing funding.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad legislative support. It passed the Senate 50-4 and the House 162-2, indicating strong bipartisan approval and little opposition overall. The lack of committee transcript material limits insight into detailed debate, but the voting margins suggest the measure was viewed as a technical or clarifying change rather than a controversial policy shift.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is the bill’s narrowing of eligibility through specific date and location requirements, which could exclude institutions that do not meet the revised cutoff or that were not operating in Georgia by the stated date. Another possible issue is the continued exclusion of Bible schools and theology/divinity programs from this category. However, the recorded votes show only minimal opposition, and no committee discussion is available to identify specific objections or sponsors’ responses.
To Provide Eligibility For A Tuition Benefit To Soldiers And Airmen Of The Arkansas National Guard Attending Certain Private Two-year And Four-year Colleges And Universities.