Climate change scholarships and making an appropriation. (FE)
Impact
The introduction of AB829 indicates a commitment by the state to prioritize education in fields related to climate change, thus potentially increasing the number of skilled professionals in sectors crucial for environmental sustainability. The bill allocates a biennial budget of $5 million for the program which could significantly impact students focused on environmental issues, making higher education more accessible based on merit and financial need. This also aligns with broader state and national goals to combat climate change.
Summary
Assembly Bill 829 establishes a climate change scholarship program in Wisconsin, aimed at supporting students enrolled in higher education programs that prepare them for careers addressing climate change. The bill mandates the Higher Educational Aids Board to administer the scholarship program, which will provide up to $5,000 per academic year for eligible students. This initiative is a strategic response to the growing urgency of climate-related challenges by investing in the education of future professionals equipped to tackle these issues.
Contention
While the bill is likely to be well-received by environmental advocacy groups and educational institutions, there may be points of contention regarding its funding and the criteria for scholarship distribution. Questions may arise about the effectiveness of the targeted approach for addressing climate change through education, and whether it sufficiently encompasses all aspects of climate solutions. Additionally, some may debate the implications of tying financial aid to specific areas of study, particularly in terms of equity and access for students from diverse backgrounds.
University of Wisconsin System and technical college tuition remissions for and grants to support foster care and other out-of-home care placement students and making an appropriation. (FE)
University of Wisconsin System and technical college tuition remissions for and grants to support foster care and other out-of-home care placement students and making an appropriation. (FE)
To create the Alabama Fits All Scholarship Program; require the State Board of Education to contract with a program manager to administer the program; to authorize the program manager to establish scholarship accounts on behalf of eligible students; to prohibit a program manager from accepting scholarship funds in certain circumstances; to require fiscal safeguards and accountability measures; to require eligible schools and service providers to meet certain standards to be eligible to receive scholarship funds; to authorize the program manager to distribute scholarship funds; to require the State Board of Education to provide limited oversight of the program manager, including an appeal process for the program manager's administrative decisions; to prohibit certain regulations of eligible schools and eligible service providers; to require criminal history background information checks for employees and officers of a program manager; to provide for program funding; and to require the program manager and the board to submit reports on the program to the Legislature.