A bill for an act establishing the comprehensive transition and postsecondary program scholarship program and making appropriations.(See SF 283.)
Summary
Senate File 14 establishes a new state scholarship program for students with intellectual, developmental, or learning disabilities who are at least 18 years old and enrolled in an approved comprehensive transition and postsecondary program in Iowa. The scholarships are intended to help cover tuition and fees for these programs, which are designed to support postsecondary education and transition to adult life for students with disabilities. The bill caps awards at $5,000 per student.
The bill assigns administration of the program to the Iowa College Student Aid Commission, working in consultation with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services within the Department of Workforce Development. The commission would set application criteria, adopt administrative rules, and manage a dedicated scholarship fund in the state treasury. The fund would be supported by legislative appropriations and any other deposited moneys, and unused balances would carry forward rather than reverting to the general fund.
Impact
If enacted and funded, the bill would create a new chapter 256 scholarship program and a continuing state fund dedicated to supporting eligible transition and postsecondary education programs for students with disabilities. It would also require the College Student Aid Commission and Vocational Rehabilitation Services to develop rules, evaluate applications, and prioritize Iowa residents, thereby adding a new administrative responsibility and a new category of state financial aid. The bill does not mandate spending absent an appropriation, so its practical effect depends on future budget decisions.
Sentiment
The available legislative history suggests generally favorable treatment of the bill, as reflected by the committee report approving it and renumbering it as SF 283. There are no recorded votes or committee transcript snippets showing opposition or debate in the provided materials. Overall, the bill appears to have been viewed as a targeted support measure for students with disabilities and their transition to higher education.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided transcripts or votes. The main policy considerations implied by the text are whether the state should appropriate funds for the program, how scholarships should be prioritized among eligible applicants, and how the program should be administered by the College Student Aid Commission in consultation with vocational rehabilitation officials. Because the bill is contingent on appropriations, fiscal support is likely the central practical issue rather than eligibility or program design.
Similar To
A bill for an act establishing the comprehensive transition and postsecondary program scholarship program and making appropriations.(Formerly SF 14.)
A bill for an act authorizing resident students who are admitted to and in attendance in a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program to participate in the Iowa tuition grants program.(See HF 2250.)
A bill for an act authorizing resident students who are admitted to and in attendance in a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program to participate in the Iowa tuition grants program.(Formerly HF 2012.)
A bill for an act modifying provisions related to programs administered by the college student aid commission, including the skilled workforce shortage tuition grant program, Iowa workforce grant and incentive program, vocational-technical tuition grant program, the future ready Iowa skilled workforce last-dollar scholarship program, and the gap tuition assistance program, and making appropriations.