Climate change scholarships and making an appropriation. (FE)
Impact
The passage of SB786 represents a significant shift in the state's approach to environmental education and workforce development. By allocating $5 million annually for this scholarship program, the bill may enable a new generation of students to receive training in critical sectors necessary for combating climate change. It aims to support both merit-based and need-based applicants equally, with provisions to foster inclusivity in the educational process for those from diverse economic backgrounds.
Summary
Senate Bill 786 establishes a scholarship program focused on climate change, aimed at supporting students pursuing education in related fields. The program, administered by the Higher Educational Aids Board, will provide up to $5,000 in scholarships per academic year to eligible students enrolled in various educational institutions in Wisconsin, including the University of Wisconsin System and technical colleges. The intent is to foster a workforce skilled in addressing the challenges of climate change, thus helping to build capacity in this vital area of study.
Contention
While the bill has garnered support for its proactive stance on climate education, there may be contentions surrounding its implementation and funding. Critics may raise concerns regarding the balance of funding allocations and the potential limitations placed on scholarship access, particularly for students who may be affected by existing financial obligations, such as those with names on statewide support lien dockets. Additionally, some might question whether the $5,000 cap per student is sufficient to cover the costs associated with higher education, especially in rapidly evolving fields associated with climate response.
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.