Iowa House Bill HF2023

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/10/24
• Refer: 1/10/24

Caption

A bill for an act establishing the United States army reserve service scholarship program within the college student aid commission.(See HF 2144.)

Impact

The scholarship program is designed to support the educational pursuits of Army Reserve members, ensuring that financial barriers are minimized for those who have completed mandatory training and are actively fulfilling their duties. Scholarships awarded under this program are capped at the resident tuition rate for state-controlled institutions, thereby aligning the assistance with local educational costs. In instances where budget appropriations are insufficient, the commission will determine how to distribute available funds among eligible applicants.

Summary

House File 2023 establishes the United States Army Reserve Service Scholarship Program, which is intended to provide financial assistance to members of the U.S. Army Reserve who are pursuing undergraduate education within Iowa. The program will be administered by the College Student Aid Commission and is aimed at promoting educational opportunities for those who serve in the reserve forces. Eligible candidates must be residents of Iowa, enrolled as undergraduate students, and fulfill certain service and academic criteria to qualify for the scholarship awards.

Contention

There are stipulations included in the bill that outline eligibility thresholds, such as the prohibition of scholarships beyond 120 undergraduate semester credit hours, with provisions for certain programs allowing for 130 hours. Additionally, those who have earned a baccalaureate degree are ineligible for further awards, thus raising issues of accessibility and fairness for ongoing educational pursuits among reserve service members. Such restrictions could be points of contention as advocates argue for broader eligibility criteria to accommodate the diverse educational paths of service members.