Introduced By: Representatives Benoit, Sherlock, Coderre, Costantino and Slater
Date Introduced : January 27, 1999
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "State Affairs and Government" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
{ADD 42-72.8-1. Statement of Purpose. -- ADD}{ADD (a) There are many children in the custody of the department of children, youth and families who have been in such custody for several years and who have no family resources or whose family has limited ability to provide funds for post secondary education. Such children often possess the academic ability and the interest to pursue higher educational goals but are precluded from doing so because of the lack of family resources to assist in funding; ADD}
{ADD (b) The state has already invested considerable funds in such youth through the funding of residential placements, foster care, counseling services, and health care. Investment in their education will help to ensure a successful transition to an adulthood free of dependence on government support; ADD}
{ADD (c) To afford such youth opportunity comparable to children not in state custody who often enjoy greater opportunities to draw from family and other resources there is hereby created the Department of Children, Youth and Families' Higher Education Opportunity Incentive Grant Program. Through an appropriation from the General Assembly a grant fund shall be established in the department of children, youth and families to supplement financial assistance in the form of grants and scholarships that are available to such youth. ADD}
{ADD 42-72.8-2. Administration of Program. ADD}{ADD (a) Each year the department shall identify and recommend from among children in its legal custody those students who may be eligible to apply for a Higher Education Opportunity Incentive Grant. The department of elementary and secondary education shall afford all appropriate assistance to the department in the identification of children who may be eligible for such grants. Each selected applicant will receive grants to supplement federal, state and institutional scholarships and grants awarded to the applicant in an amount not to exceed the full cost of tuition, fees and room and board charges: ADD}
{ADD (b) A grant period shall be limited to two (2) years of full-time study at the Community College of Rhode Island, four (4) years of full-time study at Rhode Island College, and the University of Rhode Island, and in no instance shall the grant period exceed a period of four (4) years. Grant recipients shall be enrolled full-time and shall continue to make satisfactory progress toward an academic certificate or degree; ADD}
{ADD (c) The department shall make recommendations for grant awards from among those children who: ADD}
{ADD (1) are in the legal custody of the department on the day of recommendation and have remained in such custody for at least twenty-four (24) months prior to the day of recommendation; and ADD}
{ADD (2)_have graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma not more than one (1) year prior to the date of recommendation; and ADD}
{ADD (3) has not reached his/her twenty-first (21st) birthday. Grant recipients shall continue to be eligible for services from the department including but not limited to foster care during college breaks or for commuting students. ADD}
{ADD 42-72.8-3. Selection of Grant Recipients. ADD}{ADD (a) There shall be a grant award selection committee which shall consist of a representative from each of the institutions of higher education appointed by their respective presidents, two representatives from the department of children, youth and families appointed by the director, one representative from the department of elementary and secondary education appointed by the commissioner, and one representative from the office of higher education appointed by the commissioner. ADD}
{ADD (b) Grant awards shall be made on the basis of scholastic record, aptitude, financial need and general interest in higher education. Recipients must comply with all application deadlines and criteria for admission to the institution to which the recipient is making application and, further, the recipient must have been granted admission by the admissions office of the institution. Cumulative grant awards shall not exceed available appropriations in any fiscal year. The selection committee shall adopt rules and regulations which are reasonably necessary to implement a process of grant recipient selection. ADD}
{ADD 42-72.8-4. Appropriation. ADD}{ADDThe General Assembly shall appropriate the sum of $50,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000; $100,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001; $150,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2002; and $200,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2003 and thereafter. ADD}
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
