25 LC 61 0155
House Bill 695
By: Representatives Santos of the 117
th
, Reese of the 140
th
, Bell of the 75
th
, Berry of the 56
th
,
Flournoy of the 74
th
, and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Part 3 of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia
1
Annotated, relating to the Georgia Student Finance Authority, so as to establish a needs2
based financial aid program to award grants to eligible students who have not yet received3
their financial aid award so that such students can obtain the essential materials they need to4
begin classes; to provide a maximum award amount; to provide definitions; to provide for5
eligibility; to provide for applications; to provide for rules, regulations, and procedures; to6
provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.7
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:8
SECTION 1.9
Part 3 of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,10
relating to the Georgia Student Finance Authority, is amended by adding a new subpart to11
read as follows:12
"Subpart 2B
13
20-3-367.14
As used in this subpart, the term:15
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(1) 'Commission' means the Georgia Student Finance Commission created by Code16
Section 20-3-233.17
(2) 'Eligible student' means a person:18
(A) Whose family income is considered economically disadvantaged, based on criteria19
established by the commission;20
(B) Who meets any academic or other standards established by the commission;21
(C) Who is eligible for a scholarship or grant pursuant to Code Section 20-3-519.1;22
(D) Who has completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA);23
(E) Who is enrolled in a qualified institution; and24
(F) Who has applied and is eligible for state or federal financial aid but has not25
received his or her financial aid award within two weeks of the first day of the semester26
or quarter.27
(3) 'Essential materials' means books, materials, or other items identified by the course28
instructor as essential to participating in and completing a required course as part of an29
eligible student's program of study.30
(4) 'Qualified institution' shall have the same meaning as the term 'eligible postsecondary31
institution' as set forth in Code Section 20-3-519.32
20-3-368.33
(a) Subject to appropriations, the commission shall establish a needs based financial aid34
program to provide grants to eligible students for the purpose of obtaining essential35
materials. The maximum award amount per eligible student shall be $5,000.00 in total. 36
Grant awards shall be disbursed directly to each student who is awarded a grant under this37
subpart. The commission may provide for individualized eligibility criteria and grant38
amounts as determined to be the most appropriate for the particular qualified institution and39
program of study in accordance with this subpart and the rules and regulations of the40
commission.41
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(b) Each eligible student wishing to receive a grant pursuant to this subpart shall submit42
a grant application in accordance with the rules, regulations, and procedures prescribed by43
the commission. Such application shall include the essential materials such student wishes44
to obtain and the estimated cost of such essential materials.45
20-3-369.46
The commission is authorized to define such terms and prescribe such rules, regulations,47
and procedures as may be reasonable and necessary to carry out the purposes of this48
subpart. Such rules, regulations, and procedures shall provide for the expedited processing49
of applications and disbursement of grant awards."50
SECTION 2.51
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.52
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