Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2644

Introduced
1/31/24  
Refer
1/31/24  

Caption

Establishing uniform interest rate provisions for service scholarships administered by the Kansas board of regents that have repayment obligations as a part of the terms and conditions of such scholarship and authorizing the Kansas board of regents to recover the costs of collecting such repayment obligations and charge fees to cover the costs of administering such scholarship programs.

Impact

The potential impact of HB2644 on state law includes modifying the existing repayment structures and rates tied to several scholarship and grant programs. By standardizing the interest rate and allowing the Board of Regents to charge administrative fees, the bill aims to simplify financial management for both the state and borrowers. Critics argue that this could make repayment obligations more complex for students who may not be fully aware of these new specifications, thus raising concerns about access to education funding and financial burden post-graduation.

Summary

House Bill 2644 proposes amendments to the existing regulations concerning scholarship programs administered by the Kansas Board of Regents. The bill seeks to establish a uniform interest rate of 5% per annum on repayment obligations for various scholarship, grant, and financial aid programs. It outlines conditions under which these repayment obligations should be collected, including the authorization for the Board of Regents to recoup collection costs from borrowers. This aims to streamline the administration of student financial aid and ensure fairness in repayment conditions across different programs.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding the bill center on the implications for students receiving financial aid. Some stakeholders express concern that the new uniform interest rates may disproportionately affect low-income students who struggle to repay their debts. Furthermore, the inclusion of fees for administration adds an additional layer of financial obligation. Opponents of the bill are wary that while it seeks to streamline the process, it could unintentionally disadvantage those who rely on these scholarships for education access.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS SB50

Establishing uniform interest rate provisions for service scholarship programs administered by the Kansas board of regents, authorizing the board of regents to recover the costs of collecting such repayment and charge fees for administration costs, requiring eligible students to enter into agreements with the board of regents as a condition to receiving a grant under the adult learner grant act and sunsetting the low-income family postsecondary savings accounts incentive program in 2028 and reducing the number of audits required for such program.

KS SB438

Establishing the Kansas blueprint for literacy and a literacy advisory committee, directing the board of regents to appoint a director of literacy education, requiring the board of regents and board of education to collaborate on a literacy micro-credential, providing university presidents and deans of education oversight over postsecondary literacy courses, requiring a plan to establish centers of excellence in reading, requiring the board of education to submit annual reports to the legislature on literacy goals; establishing the Kansas education opportunity scholarship to replace the Kansas ethnic minority scholarship, removing limits on Kansas nursing service scholarship awards and modifying the interest rate terms and repayment obligations for such awards, eliminating the requirement to subtract other aid from the state payment for the AO-K program, modifying financial limitations on Kansas hero's scholarship awards and broadening eligibility requirements for such awards.

KS HB2645

Senate Substitute for HB2645 by Committee on Education - Removing limits on the number and amount of awards under the nursing service scholarship program, modifying the interest rate terms for repayment obligations under such program, abolishing the nursing service scholarship review committee and modifying the financial limitations on awards under the Kansas hero's scholarship act and broadening the eligibility requirements for such awards.

KS HB2361

Abolishing the nursing scholarship program and creating the Kansas healthcare service scholarship program to include part-time students and expand the list of eligible programs.

KS HB2843

Establishing a scholarship task force to study scholarship programs and creating the Kansas academic excellence scholarship program to replace the Kansas ethnic minority scholarship program.

KS HB2539

Removing the Kansas residency requirement for eligibility for a Kansas promise scholarship and modifying the definition of part-time student under such program.

KS SB378

Establishing the Kansas trade service scholarship act and making appropriations to the state board of regents for fiscal year 2025 to provide grants to community colleges, technical colleges and the Washburn institute of technology for capital improvements, repairs and maintenance of trade program buildings.

KS SB544

Establishing a Kansas education opportunity scholarship program to replace the Kansas ethnic minority scholarship program.

KS HB2132

Expanding the eligible fields of study and establishing a maximum scholarship amount for certain private postsecondary educational institutions in the Kansas promise scholarship act.

KS SB2147

The skilled workforce student loan repayment and scholarship programs, Native American scholarships, and the North Dakota scholarship; and to provide an appropriation.

Similar Bills

KS SB50

Establishing uniform interest rate provisions for service scholarship programs administered by the Kansas board of regents, authorizing the board of regents to recover the costs of collecting such repayment and charge fees for administration costs, requiring eligible students to enter into agreements with the board of regents as a condition to receiving a grant under the adult learner grant act and sunsetting the low-income family postsecondary savings accounts incentive program in 2028 and reducing the number of audits required for such program.

KS HB2645

Senate Substitute for HB2645 by Committee on Education - Removing limits on the number and amount of awards under the nursing service scholarship program, modifying the interest rate terms for repayment obligations under such program, abolishing the nursing service scholarship review committee and modifying the financial limitations on awards under the Kansas hero's scholarship act and broadening the eligibility requirements for such awards.

KS SB438

Establishing the Kansas blueprint for literacy and a literacy advisory committee, directing the board of regents to appoint a director of literacy education, requiring the board of regents and board of education to collaborate on a literacy micro-credential, providing university presidents and deans of education oversight over postsecondary literacy courses, requiring a plan to establish centers of excellence in reading, requiring the board of education to submit annual reports to the legislature on literacy goals; establishing the Kansas education opportunity scholarship to replace the Kansas ethnic minority scholarship, removing limits on Kansas nursing service scholarship awards and modifying the interest rate terms and repayment obligations for such awards, eliminating the requirement to subtract other aid from the state payment for the AO-K program, modifying financial limitations on Kansas hero's scholarship awards and broadening eligibility requirements for such awards.

KS HB2539

Removing the Kansas residency requirement for eligibility for a Kansas promise scholarship and modifying the definition of part-time student under such program.

KS HB2361

Abolishing the nursing scholarship program and creating the Kansas healthcare service scholarship program to include part-time students and expand the list of eligible programs.

AZ HB2954

Higher education; 2025-2026

KS HB2060

Senate Substitute for HB 2060 by Committee on Education - Authorizing payments from the state safety fund to community colleges for the provision of driver's education, authorizing the provision of tools, supplies and examinations to AO-K career pathway program participants and including high school equivalency credentials in performance-based payments for postsecondary educational institutions.

AZ SB1742

2025-2026; higher education