SB712

Report Title:

Hawaii Hope Scholarship Program; Established

Description:

Establishes the Hawaii Hope Scholarship Program

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	712
TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Educating Hawaii’s children is of great importance to the future of our people and of our economy. The legislature finds that a program of financial aid is needed to lessen the great burden of college tuition and related costs on Hawaii residents. Financial aid should be provided to qualified students attending college in Hawaii and elsewhere. Nevertheless, students attending local public or private colleges oftentimes have fewer sources of financial support than their mainland or foreign bound counterparts. A program of financial aid should begin with scholarships and grants for students attending eligible postsecondary institutions in Hawaii and expand to include other students subject to available funding.

SECTION 2. The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"CHAPTER

HAWAII HOPE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

PART I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

§ -l Title. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Hawaii HOPE program.

§ -2 Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise:

"Academic year" means a period of time, typically nine months, in which a full—time student is expected to complete the equivalent of at least two semesters or three quarters academic work.

"Advanced degree" means a master's degree, specialist's degree, or doctorate in education conferred by an approved postsecondary institution upon completion of a unified program of study at the graduate level.

"Approved teacher education program" means a program offered by a public or private postsecondary institution, which program has been approved by the commission.

"Certificate" or "diploma" means a credential, other than a degree, indicating satisfactory completion of training in a program of study offered by an eligible public postsecondary institution.

"Commission" means the Hawaii HOPE scholarship commission.

"Critical shortage field" means an area of study or an area of specialized expertise for which a shortage of qualified teachers or educators exists in Hawaii, designated as such by the commission.

"Eligible high school" means a secondary school that is:

(1) Located in Hawaii and is either a:

(A) Private school accredited as such by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges or other organization approved by the commission; or

(B) Public school; or

(2) Located in another state and accredited by one of the following regional agencies:

(A) The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools;

(B) The New England Association of Schools and Colleges;

(D) The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools;

(E) The Northwestern Association of Schools and Colleges; or

(F) The Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

"Eligible postsecondary institution" means a school that is a:

(1) Unit of the University of Hawaii or its community colleges;

(2) Private independent nonprofit postsecondary institution located in this State, which is not a unit of the University of Hawaii or its community colleges, which is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, which is not a graduate level school or college of theology or divinity; provided that an institution that otherwise meets the requirements of this definition and of this chapter, except for the lack of accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, shall be deemed to be an "approved school" during the period that the institution holds candidate for accreditation status with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges;

(3) Qualified proprietary institution of higher education located in this State that is a baccalaureate degree- granting institution of higher education, which is accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education, which is not a Bible school or college (or, at the graduate level, a school or college of theology or divinity), which admits as regular students only persons who have a high school diploma, a general education development (GED) certificate, or a degree from an accredited postsecondary institution, and which has been in existence for at least ten years;

(4) Nonproprietary institution of postsecondary education located outside this State which is a four—year or graduate level institution of higher education that is, or is a part of, a college or university system that is owned and operated by a state other than Hawaii, which is accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education; and which is not a graduate level school or college of theology or divinity; or

(5) Qualified proprietary institution of higher education located outside this State that is a baccalaureate degree-granting institution of higher education, which is accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education, which is not a Bible school or college (or, at the graduate level, a school or college of theology or divinity), which admits as regular students only persons who have a high school diploma, a general education development (GED) certificate, or a degree from an accredited postsecondary institution, and which has been in existence for at least ten years.

"Eligible private postsecondary institution" means an eligible postsecondary institution that meets the criteria set out in paragraphs (2), (3), or (5) under the definition of "eligible postsecondary institution".

"Eligible public postsecondary institution" means an eligible postsecondary institution that meets the criteria set out in paragraphs (1) or (4) under the definition of "eligible postsecondary institution".

"Freshman student" means a student at a postsecondary institution who has attempted less than forty-six quarter hours or less than thirty-one semester hours.

"Full-time student" means a matriculated student attending a postsecondary institution and enrolled for the equivalent of at least twelve quarter or semester hours.

"Grade point average" means the numbered grade average calculated using a 4.0 scale.

"HOPE scholarship" means a Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally scholarship for education awarded in accordance with section -16.

"HOPE teacher scholarship" means a Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally scholarship for education awarded in accordance with section -20.

"HOPE GED voucher" means a Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally general educational development (GED) equivalency diploma voucher for postsecondary education awarded in accordance with section -18.

"Junior student" means a student at a postsecondary institution who has attempted at least ninety-one quarter hours but less than one hundred thirty-six quarter hours or at least sixty-one semester hours but less than ninety-one semester hours.

"Mandatory fees" means fees meeting criteria established by the commission that are charged by a postsecondary institution to every student enrolled in that institution, regardless of the student's program of study.

"Matriculated status" means being recognized as a student in a defined program of study leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate at a postsecondary institution.

"PROMISE teacher scholarship" means a scholarship awarded in accordance with section -19.

"Quarter hours" includes each quarter hour attempted, whether remedial or for credit toward a degree, but shall not include any quarter hour attempted or completed before graduating from high school or earning a general educational development (GED) equivalency diploma.

"Semester hours" includes each semester hour attempted, whether remedial or for credit toward a degree, but shall not include any semester hour attempted before graduating from high school or earning a general educational development (GED) equivalency diploma.

"Senior student" means a student at a postsecondary institution who has attempted at least one hundred thirty-six quarter hours but less than one hundred ninety-one quarter hours or at least ninety-one semester hours but less than one hundred twenty-eight semester hours.

"Sophomore student" means a student at a postsecondary institution who has attempted at least forty-six quarter hours but less than ninety-one quarter hours or at least thirty-one semester hours but less than sixty-one semester hours.

"Title IV" means Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, (20 U.S.C.1070, et seq.).

PART II. HAWAII HOPE SCHOLARSHIP COMMISSION

§ -11 Hawaii HOPE scholarship commission. (a) There is established the Hawaii HOPE scholarship commission, which shall be a body corporate and a public instrumentality of the State, for the purpose of implementing this chapter. The commission shall be placed within the department of education for administrative purposes.

(b) The commission shall consist of seven members, who may be public officers or employees, appointed by the governor under section 26-34 in accordance with this section. Each member shall serve a term of seven years, except that of the initial members, one member shall serve for seven years, one member shall serve for six years, one member shall serve for five years, one member shall serve for four years, one member shall serve for three years, one member shall serve for two years, and one member shall serve for one year. A vacancy on the commission of a seat subject to this subsection shall be filled under this section.

(1) Three members, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, shall be appointed by the governor for a term of seven years; provided that of the initial appointees, one shall be appointed for a seven—year term, one shall be appointed for a six—year term, and one shall be appointed for a five—year term. A vacancy on the commission of a seat subject to this subsection shall be filled by the governor under this paragraph.

(2) Two members, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, shall be appointed by the governor from a list of nominations submitted by the president of the senate. The initial appointee under this subsection shall be appointed from a list of at least four nominations submitted by the president of the senate, but the list of nominations for subsequent appointments shall be subject to subsection (c)(4). The members appointed from a list of nominations of the president of the senate shall serve for a term of seven years; provided that one of the initial appointees shall be appointed for a four-year term and the other shall be appointed for a three-year term.

(3) Two members, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, shall be appointed by the governor from a list of nominations submitted by the speaker of the house of representatives. The initial appointee under this subsection shall be appointed from a list of at least four nominations submitted by the speaker of the house of representatives, but the list of nominations for subsequent appointments shall be subject to paragraph (4). The member appointed from a list of nominations of the speaker of the house of representatives shall serve for a term of seven years; provided that the one of the initial appointees shall be appointed for a two-year term and the other for a one-year term.

(4) Whenever a member appointed from a list of nominations submitted by the president of the senate or the speaker of the house of representatives vacates the member's seat on the commission prior to the expiration of the member's term, the governor shall fill the vacancy for the unexpired term by appointment from a list of two nominations submitted by the appropriate nominating authority. Whenever the term of a member appointed from a list of nominations submitted by any of the nominating authorities expires, the governor shall appoint a member from a list of two nominations submitted by the appropriate nominating authority; provided that the nominating authority may nominate and the governor may reappoint a member to another term so long as the reappointment is not contrary to subsection (d).

(5) An appointment required to be made from a list of nominations submitted by any of the nominating authorities shall be made by the governor within ten days of receipt of the list of nominations.

(d) Each term of a member of the commission shall commence on July 1, and expire on June 30. No person shall be appointed consecutively to more than two terms as a member of the commission. No person shall serve as a member of the commission for more than fourteen consecutive years.

(e) Any member of the commission whose term has expired and who is not disqualified from membership under subsection (d) may continue in office as a holdover member until a successor is appointed; provided that a holdover member shall not hold office beyond the end of the second regular legislative session following the expiration of the member's term of office.

(f) The governor may remove or suspend for cause any member of the commission after due notice and public hearing.

(g) Members shall:

(1) Serve part—time;

(2) Be paid compensation of $75 for each day in the performance of official duties; and

(3) Be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the performance of official duties.

(h) Officers of the commission, including the chairperson, shall be selected by the members. The commission, subject to chapter 92, shall hold at least one meeting in each quarter of the State's fiscal year. Special meetings may be called by the chairperson or any four members upon seventy—two hours written notice to each member. Five members shall constitute a quorum, and a majority vote of the members present shall be required for any final determination by the commission. The commission shall keep a complete and accurate record of all its meetings.

(i) Before assuming the duties of office, each member of the commission shall take an oath that the member shall faithfully execute the duties of office according to the laws of the State and shall file and maintain with the director a bond in the sum of $25,000 with good and sufficient sureties. The cost of any bond for any member of the commission under this section shall be considered a part of the necessary expenses of the commission.

(j) The commission shall appoint a person to serve as the executive director of the commission subject to the commission's supervision. The executive director shall hold office at the will of the commission, shall be exempt from chapters 76 and 77, shall devote full time to the duties of the office, and shall not hold any other office or employment. The executive director shall receive an annual salary at an amount set by the commission. The executive director shall be reimbursed for expenses actually and necessarily incurred in the performance of the executive director's duties.

(k) Except as otherwise provided by law, the executive director may hire assistants, other officers, and employees, who shall be exempt from chapters 76 and 77 and who shall serve at the will of the executive director. The executive director may appoint committees and consultants necessary to the implementation or administration this chapter.

(l) The salaries of employees shall be set by the executive director.

(m) Notwithstanding subsection (j), the commission may perform the functions of the executive director and may exercise the powers granted to the executive director until and shall not be required to appoint an executive director before that date.

§ -12 Powers of the commission. The commission shall have all powers necessary and proper to fully and effectively implement or administer this chapter, including the power to:

(1) Adopt necessary rules under chapter 91 to implement this chapter;

(2) Establish reserves and retain and invest those reserves and funds that have not been distributed;

(3) Increase or decrease the stated maximum dollar amounts allowed under sections -16(h), -17(g), -18(a), -19(c), and -20(c) and increase or decrease the dollar amounts stated in sections -19(a)(6) and -20(a)(5);

(4) Establish criteria and other limitations determining which if any applications for a HOPE scholarship or GED voucher will be accepted from persons who have graduated from an eligible high school, obtained a general educational development (GED) equivalency diploma, completed a home study program, or graduated from a high school that is not an eligible high school before the effective date of this chapter;

(5) Establish criteria under which an applicant might receive scholarship amounts in addition to the amounts described in sections -16 and -17 based on financial hardship or special need;

(6) Establish criteria in lieu of the 2.75 grade point requirement in sections -16 and -17 for eligible public or private postsecondary institutions that maintain a pass/fail system of grading; and

(7) Take any other action as may be reasonable or appropriate to enforce this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter.

§ -13 Rules. In adopting rules under this chapter, the commission shall be exempt from the requirements of public notice, public hearing, and gubernatorial approval under chapter 91; provided that the rules and any amendment are adopted in an open meeting of the commission satisfying the requirements of chapter 92 and have been made available for gubernatorial comment at least thirty days before that meeting.

§ -14 Implementation of HOPE program. (a) Using revenues from the wagering tax under any Hawaii gaming law and any other funds appropriated by the legislature, the commission shall implement the elements of the Hawaii HOPE program in the following order:

(1) HOPE scholarships at eligible public and private postsecondary institutions located in this State;

(2) HOPE scholarships at eligible public and private postsecondary institutions located outside this State;

(3) HOPE GED vouchers;

(4) PROMISE teacher scholarships; and

(5) HOPE teacher scholarships.

(b) In the event of a decline in funding or reserves, the commission shall withdraw funding in the reverse order from that specified in subsection (a).

§ -15 Ineligibility. A student is ineligible for any scholarship or grant described in this part if the student:

(1) Is not a United States citizen or a permanent resident alien who meets the definition of an eligible noncitizen under federal Title IV requirements;

(2) Has not complied with United States Selective Service System requirements for registration, if the requirements are applicable to the student;

(3) Is in default on a federal Title IV educational loan; provided that a student who is otherwise eligible and has fully repaid the defaulted loan will be eligible to obtain a scholarship or grant for future academic terms but not retroactively;

(4) Owes a refund on a federal Title IV student financial aid program; provided that a student who is otherwise eligible and has fully paid the refund owed shall be eligible to obtain a scholarship or grant for future academic terms but not retroactively;

(5) Is incarcerated; or

(6) Does not meet each qualification listed in the section relating to the relevant scholarship or grant and applicable to the student.

§ -16 HOPE scholarships at eligible public postsecondary institutions. (a) To be eligible for a HOPE scholarship, an entering freshman student seeking an associate or baccalaureate degree at an eligible public postsecondary institution shall:

(1) Meet residency requirements by meeting the requirements to be classified as a legal resident of Hawaii as established by the program rules adopted by the commission;

(2) Meet achievement standards by:

(A) Having graduated from an eligible high school while meeting the curriculum requirements of the student's program of study and earning a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75; or

(B) In the case of a student who is otherwise qualified but:

(i) Did not graduate from high school or complete a home school program meeting the requirements of chapter 302A, having received the general educational development (GED) equivalency diploma; provided that the student shall be eligible to receive a retroactive HOPE scholarship for the student's freshman year to be paid at the end of the freshman year;

(ii) Completed a home study program meeting the requirements of chapter 302A in lieu of graduating from an eligible high school, earning a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 at an eligible public postsecondary institution at the end of the quarter or semester in which the student has attempted forty-five quarter hours or thirty semester hours; provided that the student shall be eligible to receive a retroactive HOPE scholarship for the student's freshman year to be paid at the end of the freshman year; or

(iii) Graduated from a high school that is not an eligible high school, earning a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 at an eligible public postsecondary institution at the end of the quarter or semester in which the student has attempted forty-five quarter hours or thirty semester hours; provided that the student shall be eligible to receive a retroactive HOPE scholarship for the student's freshman year to be paid at the end of the freshman year; and

(3) Meet enrollment standards by being admitted, enrolled, and classified as an undergraduate student in a matriculated status.

(b) To be eligible for a HOPE scholarship, a sophomore student seeking an associate or baccalaureate degree at an eligible public postsecondary institution shall:

(1) Meet residency requirements by meeting the requirements to be classified as a legal resident of Hawaii as established by the program rules adopted by the commission;

(2) Meet achievement standards by meeting the following criteria:

(A) Earning a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 at a postsecondary institution at the end of the quarter or semester in which the student has attempted forty-five quarter hours or thirty semester hours; and

(B) Maintaining satisfactory academic progress in a course of study in accordance with the standards and practices used for federal Title IV programs by the postsecondary institution in which the student is enrolled; and

(3) Meet enrollment standards by being admitted, enrolled, and classified as an undergraduate student in a matriculated status or, in the case of an otherwise eligible student who is classified as a professional level student rather than an undergraduate student, being accepted into the professional level program of study prior to receiving a baccalaureate degree.

(c) To be eligible for a HOPE scholarship, a junior student seeking a baccalaureate degree at a public postsecondary institution shall:

(1) Meet residency requirements by meeting the requirements to be classified as a legal resident of Hawaii as established by the program rules adopted by the commission;

(2) Meet achievement standards by meeting the following criteria:

(A) Earning a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 at a postsecondary institution at the end of the quarter or semester in which the student has attempted ninety quarter hours or sixty semester hours; and

(d) To be eligible for a HOPE scholarship, a senior student seeking a baccalaureate degree at a public postsecondary institution shall:

(1) Meet residency requirements by meeting the requirements to be classified as a legal resident of Hawaii as established by the program rules adopted by the commission;

(2) Meet achievement standards by meeting the following criteria:

(A) Meeting all achievement standards for HOPE eligibility in the student's junior year;

(B) Earning a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 at a postsecondary institution at the end of the quarter or semester in which the student has attempted one hundred thirty-five quarter hours or ninety semester hours; and

(C) Maintaining satisfactory academic progress in a course of study in accordance with the standards and practices used for federal Title IV programs by the postsecondary institution in which the student is enrolled; and

(e) A student who fails to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 at the end of the quarter or semester in which the student has attempted forty-five quarter hours or thirty semester hours may attend the next forty-five quarter or thirty semester hours without a HOPE scholarship. An otherwise eligible student who regains a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 at the end of the quarter or semester in which the student has attempted ninety quarter hours or sixty semester hours may requalify for a HOPE scholarship.

(f) For students eligible for a HOPE scholarship under this section, no minimum number of hours of enrollment is required.

(g) (1) Except as set out in paragraph (2) of this subsection a student may receive the HOPE scholarship until the first of these events:

(A) The student has earned a baccalaureate degree; or

(B) The student has attempted at any postsecondary institution a total of one hundred ninety quarter hours or one hundred twenty-seven semester hours; or

(2) A student enrolled in an undergraduate degree program designed to be more than one hundred ninety quarter hours or one hundred twenty-seven semester hours in length is eligible to receive the HOPE scholarship for the lesser of:

(A) A total of two hundred twenty-five attempted quarter hours or one hundred fifty attempted semester hours; or

(B) The number of hours required for graduation if the student has a 2.75 cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 after the term in which the student attempted one hundred ninety quarter hours or one hundred twenty-seven semester hours.

(h) Subject to funds available to the commission, a HOPE scholarship awarded under this section shall include tuition, approved mandatory fees, and a book allowance not to exceed $100 per quarter or $150 per semester.

§ -17 HOPE scholarships at eligible private post secondary institutions. (a) To be eligible for a HOPE scholarship, an entering freshman student seeking an associate or baccalaureate degree at an eligible private postsecondary institution shall:

(1) Meet residency requirements by meeting the requirements to be classified as a legal resident of Hawaii as established by the program rules adopted by the commission;

(2) Meet achievement standards by:

(A) Having graduated from an eligible high school while meeting the curriculum requirements of the student's program of study and earning a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75; or

(B) In the case of a student who is otherwise qualified but:

(iii) Graduated from a high school which is not an eligible high school, earning a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 at an eligible public postsecondary institution at the end of the quarter or semester in which the student has attempted forty-five quarter hours or thirty semester hours; provided that the student shall be eligible to receive a retroactive HOPE scholarship for the student's freshman year to be paid at the end of the freshman year; and

(3) Meet enrollment standards by:

(A) Being admitted, enrolled, and classified as an undergraduate student in a matriculated status; and

(B) Being registered for and attending classes as a full-time student for fourteen days or more after the last day of the institution's drop and add period.

(b) To be eligible for a HOPE scholarship, a sophomore student seeking an associate or baccalaureate degree at an eligible private postsecondary institution shall:

(1) Meet residency requirements by meeting the requirements to be classified as a legal resident of Hawaii as established by the program rules adopted by the commission;

(2) Meet achievement standards by meeting the following criteria:

(3) Meet enrollment standards by:

(A) Being admitted, enrolled, and classified as an undergraduate student in a matriculated status or, in the case of an otherwise eligible student who is classified as a professional level student rather than an undergraduate student, being accepted into the professional level program of study prior to receiving a baccalaureate degree; and

(B) Being registered for and attending classes as a full-time student for fourteen days or more after the last day of the institution’s drop and add period.

(c) To be eligible for a HOPE scholarship, a junior student seeking a baccalaureate degree at an eligible private postsecondary institution shall:

(1) Meet residency requirements by meeting the requirements to be classified as a legal resident of Hawaii as established by the program rules adopted by the commission;

(2) Meet achievement standards by meeting the following criteria:

(3) Meet enrollment standards by:

(A) Being admitted, enrolled, and classified as an undergraduate student in a matriculated status or provided that in the case of an otherwise eligible student who is classified as a professional level student rather than an undergraduate student, have been accepted into the professional level program of study prior to receiving a baccalaureate degree; and

(B) Being registered for and attending classes as a full-time student for fourteen days or more after the last day of the institution’s drop and add period.

(d) To be eligible for a HOPE scholarship, a senior student seeking a baccalaureate degree at an eligible private postsecondary institution shall:

(1) Meet residency requirements by meeting the requirements to be classified as a legal resident of Hawaii as established by the program rules adopted by the commission;

(2) Meet achievement standards by meeting the following criteria:

(A) Having met all achievement standards for HOPE eligibility in the student's junior year;

(3) Meet enrollment standards by:

(B) Being registered for and attending classes as a full-time student for fourteen days or more after the last day of the institution’s drop and add period.

(e) An otherwise eligible student who fails to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 at the end of the quarter or semester in which the student has attempted forty-five quarter hours or thirty semester hours may attend the next forty-five quarter hours or thirty semester hours without a HOPE scholarship. A student who regains a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 at the end of the quarter or semester in which the student has attempted ninety quarter hours or sixty semester hours may requalify for a HOPE scholarship.

(f) (1) Except as set out in paragraph (2) of this subsection a student may receive a HOPE scholarship until the first of these events:

(A) The student has earned a baccalaureate degree; or

(B) The student has attempted at any postsecondary institution a total of one hundred ninety quarter hours or one hundred twenty-seven semester hours.

(A) A total of two hundred twenty-five attempted quarter hours or one hundred fifty attempted semester hours; or

(B) The number of hours required for graduation if the student has a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 after the term in which the student attempted one hundred ninety quarter hours or one hundred twenty-seven semester hours.

(g) Subject to funds available to the commission, a HOPE scholarship awarded under this section shall include tuition, approved mandatory fees, and a book allowance not to exceed $100 per quarter or $150 per semester, but shall not exceed $3,000 for any academic year.

§ -18 HOPE GED vouchers. (a) Subject to funds available to the commission, a HOPE GED voucher in the amount of $500 shall be awarded once to each student receiving a general educational development (GED) equivalency diploma, and shall be valid at any eligible postsecondary institution in Hawaii for twenty-four months from the date of issuance.

(b) An otherwise eligible student receiving a HOPE GED voucher under this section is eligible for a HOPE scholarship as a sophomore, junior, or senior student.

§ -19 PROMISE teacher scholarships. (a) To be eligible for a PROMISE teacher scholarship, a student seeking a bachelors degree in teacher education shall:

(1) Be admitted, enrolled, and classified as an undergraduate student in a matriculated status at an eligible postsecondary institution maintaining satisfactory academic progress in accordance with the standards and practices used for federal Title IV programs by the institution at which the student is enrolled;

(2) For a student in the junior year, have earned a minimum overall cumulative 3.6 grade average in a postsecondary institution at the beginning of the first term for which scholarship aid is requested and be maintaining satisfactory academic progress in the student's course of study in accordance with the standards and practices used for federal Title IV programs by the postsecondary institution in which the student is enrolled;

(3) For a student in the senior year, have received the PROMISE teacher scholarship in the student's junior year, and be maintaining satisfactory academic progress in his or her course of study in accordance with the standards and practices used for federal Title IV programs by the postsecondary institution in which the student is enrolled;

(4) Be accepted for enrollment into an approved teacher education program in Hawaii leading to initial certification;

(5) Not yet have obtained a baccalaureate degree; and

(6) Agree to teach in a public school in Hawaii at the preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary level for one academic year for each $1,500 in PROMISE teacher scholarship funds awarded and sign a promissory note that stipulates the cash repayment obligation incurred if the teaching service is not fulfilled.

(b) A student who terminates enrollment at an eligible institution or who is otherwise dropped from enrollment by an eligible institution will not be eligible to continue receiving a PROMISE teacher scholarship.

(c) Subject to funds available to the commission, a PROMISE teacher scholarship shall not exceed a total of $6,000 for the junior and senior years.

§ -20 HOPE teacher scholarships. (a) To be eligible for a HOPE teacher scholarship, a student shall:

(1) Not hold an advanced degree in a critical shortage field and be seeking an advanced degree in a new critical shortage field;

(2) Meet the residency requirements by meeting the requirements to be classified as a legal resident of Hawaii as established by the program rules adopted by the commission;

(3) Be admitted into graduate school and into an advanced degree or approved teacher education program in a critical shortage field of study leading to certification;

(4) Be one of the following:

(A) A teacher working in a public or private accredited school in Hawaii who has a baccalaureate degree and is seeking an advanced degree in the teacher's current field, which is a critical shortage field or in a new critical shortage field;

(B) An individual with a baccalaureate degree who is seeking an advanced degree in a critical shortage field;

(C) An individual with a masters degree in a critical shortage field who is seeking certification as a specialist or a doctorate in the individual's current critical shortage field;

(D) An individual with a masters degree in a field which is not a critical shortage field who is seeking an advanced degree in a critical shortage field;

(E) An individual who has certification as a specialist in a critical shortage field who is seeking a doctorate in the individual's current critical shortage field; or

(F) A teacher working in a public or private accredited school in Hawaii who is seeking to complete an approved program in a critical shortage field for which degree programs are not generally offered; and

(5) Agree to teach in the individual's critical shortage field in a public school in Hawaii at the preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary level for one academic year for each $2,500 in HOPE teacher scholarship funds awarded and sign a promissory note that stipulates the cash repayment obligation incurred if the teaching service is not fulfilled.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection:

(1) For students eligible for a HOPE teacher scholarship, no minimum number of hours of enrollment is required for eligibility for a HOPE teacher' s scholarship.

(2) The program of study a student is attempting shall be completed within five years, beginning with the first term for which scholarship funds are awarded.

(3) A student’s eligibility for a HOPE teacher scholarship expires if the student has a break in enrollment at an eligible institution of more than twelve months.

(c) Subject to funds available to the commission, a HOPE teacher scholarship award amount for a student shall not exceed $10,000 for the student’s program of study.

§ -21 Application of HOPE scholarships. A HOPE scholarship may be applied only to tuition and mandatory fees not covered by any Pell grant or other federal grant."

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________