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Minutes for SB340 - Committee on Education
Short Title
Amending the Kansas promise scholarship act by clarifying the responsibilities of the state board of regents and postsecondary educational institutions and authorizing designation of additional programs and fields of study.
Minutes Content for Mon, Jan 24, 2022
Chairperson Baumgardner opened the discussion on SB340.
Written testimony was received today on SB340 from Jerry Henn, Assistant Executive Director-USA-Kansas and Kansas School Superintendents Association on behalf of USA-Kansas, stating a concern for remote students not living close to a college or community college as transportation and/or living expenses would not be covered and would be a barrier that would need to be overcome. (Attachment 1)
Discussion on SB340 began with the Revisor presenting Balloon 2 - "Part-time student" definition (Attachment 2). Points discussed were replacing "or more in a the fall summer, or spring semester" with "in the academic year" and possibly deleting "and is not enrolled as a full-time student". To clarify, Blake Flanders stated this amendment defines the term, not the eligibility. Concern was expressed that a student would not be able to complete a program within the 48 month window if they only take six hours a year. Heather Morgan, Executive Director, Kansas Association of Community College Trustees assured the Committee they could.
Also discussed was Balloon 5 - No Institution May Limit Scholarships (Attachment 3) which states an institution can not award less than the full Kansas Promise Scholarship amount for which a student qualifies as long as funds are available and Balloon 8 - "Sec. 3 Clarification (Attachment 4) which simplifies the fifth field of study that an institution can choose. The question was asked if all institutions offered all four of the fields of study. Matt Lindsey, President, Kansas Independent College Association, reported that most private colleges do not offer programs in all four fields of study and an institution is not allowed to start one for the benefit of the Promise Scholarship Program. Senator Pettey moved and Senator O'Shea seconded a motion to accept the Balloon 5 Amendment. No vote was taken.
Chairperson Baumgardner closed the discussion on SB340.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:35 pm. The next meeting will be held January 25, 1:30 pm in room 144-S.
