CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Senate Education Committee is scheduled to spend more time discussing Gov. Jim Justice’s community college bill next week after getting an initial look Thursday afternoon that included several questions from committee members.
The bill (SB 284) creates the West Virginia Invests Grant Program that would finish paying the tuition and fees for some community and technical college students after all other financial aid options are exhausted. The bill also creates the Advanced Career Education (ACE) program between public school community technical education centers and community and technical colleges that would allow some students to obtain associate degrees while they are in high school.
The bill is about creating new avenues for more students, Justice administration attorney James Bailey told committee members.
“The governor’s number one priority with this piece of legislation is to make sure that these type of opportunities are opened up and taken advantage of much more than they are now,” Bailey said.
The governor’s proposed budget provides $7 million for the grant program. Officials have said they believe recipients would receive an average of $800. Bailey said, like the Promise Scholarship, the funding would depend on an annual appropriation from the legislature.
Eligibility requirements for the grant program include a one-year state residency at the time of application, an age requirement (have to be at least 20-years-old unless in the ACE program), passage of a drug test to be paid for by the applicant and if awarded, at least six credit hours have to be taken per semester.
To have the grant renewed, the student has to have at least a 2.0 GPA and complete 8 hours of community service. There’s also a requirement for the recipient to live in the state for at least two years after earning an associate degree.
Most of the questions Thursday centered on how private school or home school students could take part in the ACE program since they don’t attend public school. Bailey said the program would be open to the students.
Senator Bob Plymale (D-Wayne) said lawmakers should find a way to make sure the program is available to any student.
“What we’re trying to do is build the workforce for tomorrow and this is a really good bill to do that and we need to get these issues out of the way,” Plymale said.
Assistant State Superintendent of Schools Kathy D’Antoni told the committee the ACE program would be workforce targeted.
“We’re looking at how we can impact the economy in West Virginia immediately and in a greater way than we’re doing now,” she said.
The bill also includes a 13th year option for students that begin the program while in high school, D’Antoni said.
“Either to go on and get your higher level credential or go on for an associate degree. Possibly doing a lot of the work in the 11th and 12th grades on your associate degree. So you can get your degree along with your high school diploma or one year after,” she said.
Education Committee Chair Kenny Mann (R-Monroe) said the bill would be back on the committee’s agenda next Tuesday.