Assigned to ED & APPROP FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1557
exchange programs; student count.
Purpose
Removes the limit on the number of nonresident foreign students in exchange programs
with J-1 visas (J-1 visa students) that a school district governing board (governing board) may
admit without the payment of tuition and include in the school district's or charter school's student
count for state funding.
Background
Through secondary school student exchange visitor programs designated by the U.S.
Department of State, foreign secondary school students may study in the United States at a public
or private secondary school for an academic semester or an academic year while living with host
families or residing at boarding schools. A designated student exchange program sponsor must
receive written acceptance for the enrollment of a foreign exchange student, including written
arrangements concerning the payment of tuition or waiver of tuition if applicable (22 C.F.R.
§ 62.25). A governing board may admit a limited number of J-1 visa students, without payment of
tuition, that is equal to the number of resident students enrolled in the local education agency who
are currently participating in a foreign exchange program (A.R.S. § 15-823).
Allowing school districts and charter schools to include all J-1 visa students in average
daily membership will increase Basic State Aid costs to the state General Fund beginning in FY
2025, depending on the number of enrolled J-1 visa students.
Provisions
1. Removes, beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, the limit on the number of J-1 visa students
a governing board may admit without the payment of tuition.
2. Allows a school district or charter school to include J-1 visa students in the school district's or
charter school's student count and obtain state funding for the students.
3. Makes technical and conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 9, 2024
MH/mg