Establish the nonbeneficiary student scholarship program and make an appropriation therefor.
Impact
The program allows eligible nonbeneficiary students to receive financial support to cover their educational expenses, with scholarships set at $1,000 per academic year. The Department of Tribal Relations is designated to administer the scholarship, ensuring that funds are appropriately allocated and managed. The bill highlights an effort to enhance access to education in an underserved community, potentially improving enrollment and retention rates among nonbeneficiary students at tribal colleges.
Summary
Senate Bill 157 establishes a nonbeneficiary student scholarship program aimed at assisting individuals who are enrolled at tribally controlled institutions of higher education in South Dakota. The bill defines a 'nonbeneficiary student' as someone who meets specific residency requirements but is not an enrolled member of a federally recognized Indian tribe. This initiative reflects a recognition of the unique educational needs and the financial burdens faced by these students at institutions such as Oglala Lakota College and Sinte Gleska University, among others.
Contention
While supporters of SB157 applaud the initiative as a step towards greater educational equity, there may be concerns over funding adequacy and the long-term sustainability of the program. The bill allocates $49,000 from the general fund for scholarship purposes, but discussions may arise regarding whether this amount is sufficient to meet the demand for scholarships among nonbeneficiary students. Additionally, the bill's requirement for students to apply and meet specific criteria could also spark debate about accessibility and fairness in the awarding of scholarships.
Establish scholarships for individuals pursuing careers in the behavioral health field, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.
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.