LLOW TUITION AWARDS FOR STUDENTS

IN RELIGIOUS DEGREE PROGRAMS

House Bill 5450

Sponsor:  Rep. John Moolenaar

House Bill 5451

Sponsor: Rep. Scott Hummel

House Bill 5452

Sponsor: Rep. Jacob Hoogendyk

House Bill 5453

House Bill 5454

Sponsor: Rep. Sandra Caul

House Bill 5455

Sponsor: Rep. Jerry O. Kooiman

House Bill 5456

Sponsor: Rep. Howard Walker

Sponsor: Rep. Joanne Voorhees

Committee:  Higher Education

Complete to 2-19-04

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILLS 5450-5456 AS INTRODUCED 2-4-04

A number of acts that provide tuition grants or scholarships to students enrolled in higher education specifically prohibit making an award to a student “enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree in theology, divinity, or religious education”.  Each of the bills would remove that prohibition from one of those acts, thus allowing those students to receive tuition grants or scholarships.

House Bill 5450 would amend the Legislative Merit Award Program (MCL 390.1304).  House Bill 5451 would amend Public Act 102 of 1986 (MCL 390.1283), which provides grants to part-time independent students with financial need.  House Bill 5452 would amend Public Act 208 of 1964 (MCL 390.977), dealing with the state competitive scholarship program.  House Bill 5453 would amend Public Act 273 of 1986 (MCL 390.1403), which established the Michigan Educational Opportunity Grant program. House Bill 5454 would amend Public Act 75 of 1974 (MCL 390.1023), which provides for reimbursements to approved independent nonprofit colleges and universities.  House Bill 5455 would amend Public Act 313 of 1966 (MCL 390.994), awarding tuition grants to students at independent nonprofit colleges and universities.  House Bill 5456 would amend Public Act 105 of 1978 (MCL 390.1274), dealing with tuition differential grants for students in independent nonprofit colleges and universities.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bills would have no state or local fiscal impact but could potentially reduce award amounts for the State Competitive Scholarship, Tuition Grant, Part-Time Independent Student, and Michigan Education Opportunity Grant programs by increasing the number of students eligible for awards.  (The remaining programs affected by this package are not currently effective due to the absence of state funding.)  Any impact would, however, be minimal.  The Department of Treasury estimates that roughly 200 to 250 students in the state would become eligible for scholarships under the bills.  [This fiscal impact statement applies to Senate Bills 625-628 and Senate Bills 661-662, as well as House Bills 5450-5456.]

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Chris Couch

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Kyle Jen

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.