Pennsylvania Act 2015-33 — PUBLIC SCHOOL CODE OF 1949 - ESTABLISHING THE READY TO SUCCEED SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, CONFERRING POWERS AND IMPOSING DUTIES ON THE PENNSYLVANIA HIGHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE AGENCY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Act text

Session of 2015

No. 2015-33

SB 329

AN ACT

Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An act relating to the public school system, including certain provisions applicable as well to private and parochial schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the laws relating thereto," establishing the Ready-to-Succeed Scholarship Program; and conferring powers and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency and the Department of Education.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding an article to read:

ARTICLE XXII-B

READY-TO-SUCCEED SCHOLARSHIP

Section 2201-B. Short title of article.

This article shall be known and may be cited as the Ready-to-Succeed Scholarship Act.

Section 2202-B. Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this article shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Agency." The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.

"State grant." A grant or scholarship awarded under the act of January 25, 1966 (1965 P.L.1546, No.541), referred to as the Higher Education Scholarship Law.

Section 2203-B. Establishment.

The Ready-to-Succeed Scholarship Program is established within the agency.

Section 2204-B. Agency.

(a) General rule.--The agency shall use funds appropriated for the purpose of this article from the General Fund and may accept donations from all public and private sources, including the Federal Government, to provide scholarships to eligible students to defray the cost of attending a State grant-approved institution of higher education that is domiciled and headquartered with its principal location in this Commonwealth.

(b) Requirements.--The eligibility criteria developed for the receipt of a scholarship under subsection (a) shall, at a minimum, require all of the following:

(1) Total annual household income not to exceed $110,000. With each new award year, the agency may annually adjust the total annual household income threshold under this paragraph to reflect any upward changes in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland area.

(2) At least half-time enrollment in an approved course of study.

(3) Demonstration of outstanding academic achievement.

(4) Compliance with all aspects of the State grant program except financial need.

(c) Combination.--A student may be eligible to receive a scholarship under subsection (a) if the scholarship award in combination with a State grant award for the same academic year does not exceed the annually established maximum amount for the Ready-to-Succeed Scholarship Program as established by the agency.

(d) Discretion.--The agency shall make all scholarship awards under subsection (a) in its sole discretion.

Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

APPROVED--The 10th day of July, A.D. 2015.

TOM WOLF