Relating To Post-secondary Education.
To qualify for the tuition waivers, students must meet specific eligibility criteria, including residency status, prior education experience, and age limits. The bill emphasizes that the program will enhance access to community college education for U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens, with the intent of supporting local student populations. The program is designed to alleviate financial barriers for young individuals seeking higher education, thereby hopefully leading to increased enrollment and completion rates in community colleges. However, the pilot program will expire on June 30, 2025, thus necessitating a review of its effectiveness and potential for expansion.
House Bill 2269 aims to support post-secondary education in Hawaii by establishing a Community College Tuition Waiver Pilot Program. This bill is a step towards providing free public education, extending from kindergarten through to community college. The initiative recognizes the importance of community colleges in meeting the state's employment needs and aims to create a well-trained workforce to attract employers and diversify Hawaii's economy. The pilot program is set to begin in the fall semester of 2023 and will offer tuition waivers at community colleges located in counties with populations under 100,000 residents.
While the bill seeks to support educational initiatives, there may be concerns about the sustainability of funding for the pilot program once it is initiated. Moreover, questions regarding the eligibility criteria could arise, particularly regarding the inclusivity of non-citizen students and whether they are being adequately considered within the broader educational framework. Furthermore, the requirement for the University of Hawaii board of regents to submit a report outlining the costs and effectiveness of the pilot program will be crucial in informing future legislative decisions regarding statewide tuition waiver policies.