25 LC 61 0074
House Bill 716
By: Representatives Berry of the 56
th
, Carpenter of the 4
th
, Frye of the 122
nd
, Park of the
107
th
, Sanchez of the 42
nd
, 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 grant program to combat food insecurity among postsecondary students; to provide3
definitions; to provide for a maximum award amount; to provide for applications; to provide4
for rules, regulations, and procedures; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting5
laws; and for other purposes.6
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:7
SECTION 1.8
Part 3 of Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,9
relating to the Georgia Student Finance Authority, is amended by adding a new subpart to10
read as follows:11
"Subpart 2B
12
20-3-367.13
As used in this subpart, the term:14
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(1) 'Commission' means the Georgia Student Finance Commission created by Code15
Section 20-3-233.16
(2) 'Eligible postsecondary institution' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code17
Section 20-3-519.18
(3) 'Eligible student' means a person:19
(A) Whose family income is considered economically disadvantaged, based on criteria20
established by the commission, or who has a financial aid gap;21
(B) Who meets any academic or other standards established by the commission;22
(C) Who is eligible for a scholarship or grant pursuant to Code Section 20-3-519.1; and23
(D) Who has completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).24
(4) 'Financial aid gap' means the monetary amount remaining after other funding, as25
determined by the commission, for the cost of attendance certified by an eligible26
postsecondary institution.27
28
20-3-368.
29
(a) Subject to appropriations, the commission shall establish a needs based financial aid30
program to provide grants to eligible students enrolled at an eligible postsecondary31
institution for the purpose of combating food insecurity among postsecondary students. 32
The maximum award per eligible student shall not exceed an amount equal to the highest33
cost meal plan of the postsecondary institution attended by such eligible student. The34
commission may provide for individualized eligibility criteria and grant amounts as35
determined to be the most appropriate for the particular eligible postsecondary institution36
and its student population in accordance with this subpart. The commission shall also37
establish criteria necessary for eligible students to retain and continue to receive such38
grants in accordance with this subpart.39
(b) Each eligible student wishing to receive a grant pursuant to this subpart shall submit40
a grant application in accordance with the rules, regulations, and procedures prescribed by41
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the commission. The commission is authorized to define such terms and prescribe such42
rules, regulations, and procedures as may be reasonable and necessary to carry out the43
purposes of this subpart. In the event a student on whose behalf a grant is paid does not44
enroll as a full-time or part-time student for the academic semester for which the grant is45
paid, the qualified institution shall make a refund to the commission in accordance with the46
rules and regulations of the commission."47
SECTION 2.48
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.49
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