Iowa House Bill HF481

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/28/23
• Refer: 2/28/23

Caption

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

Impact

Under HF481, scholarship awards are capped at the resident tuition rate established for postsecondary institutions governed by the state board of regents. It is designed to accommodate the educational expenditures for which each scholarship recipient qualifies, reflecting Iowa's intention to prioritize educational support for its military members. However, if funding is inadequate to cover all eligible applicants, the College Student Aid Commission will determine how to allocate the available scholarships, indicating a possible point of contention in terms of funding accessibility.

Summary

House File 481 establishes a United States Army Reserve Service Scholarship Program within the College Student Aid Commission in Iowa. This program aims to provide scholarships to eligible members of the U.S. Army Reserve who are pursuing undergraduate education at approved institutions within the state. Eligibility criteria include being a resident of Iowa, maintaining satisfactory academic progress, and satisfactorily completing required initial active duty training. The bill highlights a commitment to supporting military personnel in their educational pursuits.

Contention

The bill restricts the maximum scholarship eligibility to 120 semester credit hours of undergraduate study, with an exception permitting up to 130 hours for certain STEM programs under the federal Edith Nourse Rogers STEM scholarship. Critics may argue that this limitation could hinder some students from completing their degrees if they require additional coursework beyond the stipulated credit hour restrictions. Furthermore, members who have earned a baccalaureate degree are not eligible for the scholarship, creating concerns about inclusivity for those seeking ongoing educational opportunities.