Removes the requirement that certain financial awards for higher education students be reduced by the amount of any A+ program moneys received
If enacted, HB 1784 is expected to increase the number of eligible students receiving financial assistance without the penalty of reducing their awards based on other financial aid programs. It introduces a more favorable financial environment for students who rely on multiple sources of aid, which could lead to higher enrollment in higher education institutions as students find it easier to afford their education.
House Bill 1784 seeks to repeal and replace section 173.1105 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, which governs financial assistance for higher education students. The bill proposes changes to the eligibility and award structure for students who attend approved private, public, or virtual educational institutions. With the new provisions, students are not required to have financial aid awards reduced by the amount of any A+ program moneys they receive, aiming to increase the net financial assistance available to students pursuing higher education.
One potential point of contention surrounding HB 1784 could be the implications it holds for state funding and budgeting for education grants. By eliminating the reduction of awards based on A+ program moneys, there may be concerns regarding the sustainability of funding for this financial assistance program, particularly if appropriated funds do not meet the demand from an increased number of recipients. Legislators may debate the long-term fiscal impact of this change, considering both the potential benefits to students and the obligations it places on state resources.