HB 1171 2003
   
1 A bill to be entitled
2          An act relating to student financial assistance; amending
3    s. 1009.50, F.S.; revising provisions relating to student
4    eligibility for receipt of a Florida public student
5    assistance grant; providing an appropriation; providing an
6    effective date.
7         
8          Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
9         
10          Section 1. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) and subsection
11    (3) of section 1009.50, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
12          1009.50 Florida Public Student Assistance Grant Program;
13    eligibility for grants.--
14          (2)(a) State student assistance grants through the program
15    may be made only to degree-seeking students who enroll in at
16    least 36semester hours, or the equivalent per term, and who
17    meet the general requirements for student eligibility as
18    provided in s. 1009.40, except as otherwise provided in this
19    section. The grants shall be awarded annually for the amount of
20    demonstrated unmet need for the cost of education and may not
21    exceed an amount equal to the average prior academic year cost
22    of tuition,feesand other registration fees, and assigned books
23    and supplies for 4030credit hours at state universities or
24    such other amount as specified in the General Appropriations
25    Act, to any recipient. A demonstrated unmet need of less than
26    $100$200shall render the applicant ineligible for a state
27    student assistance grant. Recipients of the grants must have
28    been accepted at a state university or community college
29    authorized by Florida law. A student is eligible for the award
30    for 125110percent of the number of credit hours required to
31    complete the program in which enrolled, except as otherwise
32    provided in s. 1009.40(3).
33          (3) Based on the unmet financial need of an eligible
34    applicant, the amount of a Florida public student assistance
35    grant must be between $100$200and the weighted average of the
36    cost of tuition,and other registration fees, and assigned books
37    and supplies for 4030credit hours at state universities per
38    academic year or the amount specified in the General
39    Appropriations Act.
40          Section 2. There is hereby appropriated from the General
41    Revenue Fund to the Department of Education for fiscal year
42    2003-2004 the sum of $30 million for the Florida Public Student
43    Assistance Grant Program.
44          Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2003.