08
Senate
Bill 492
By:
Senators Bulloch of the 11th and Harp of the 29th
AS
PASSED SENATE
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Code Section 20-3-519 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to definitions applicable to HOPE scholarships and grants, so as to add an
additional accrediting entity to the definition of the term "eligible high
school"; to amend Code Sections 20-3-519.2 and 20-3-519.3 of the Official Code
of Georgia Annotated, relating to eligibility requirements for a HOPE
scholarship at a public or private postsecondary institution, so as to provide
that postsecondary level course hours taken prior to high school graduation will
count towards hourly caps under certain conditions; to provide for related
matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Code
Section 20-3-519 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
definitions applicable to HOPE scholarships and grants, is amended by revising
paragraph (6) as follows:
"(6)
'Eligible high school' means a public or private secondary school which
is:
(A)
Located in Georgia and accredited as such by:
(i)
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools;
(ii)
The Georgia Accrediting Commission;
(iii)
The Georgia Association of Christian Schools;
(iv)
The Association of Christian Schools International;
(v)
The Georgia Private School Accreditation Council;
(vi)
The Accrediting Commission for Independent Study; or
(vii)
The Southern Association of Independent Schools; or
(B)
Located in another state and accredited by one of the following regional
or state
accrediting entities
agencies:
(i)
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools;
(ii)
The New England Association of Schools and Colleges;
(iii)
The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools;
(iv)
The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools;
(v)
The Northwestern Association of Schools and Colleges;
(vi)
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges;
(vii)
The Alabama Independent School Association;
or
(viii)
The Southern Association of Independent
Schools;
or
(ix)
The Florida Council of Independent
Schools."
SECTION
2.
Code
Section 20-3-519.2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
eligibility requirements for a HOPE scholarship at a public postsecondary
institution, is amended by adding a new paragraph to the end of subsection (g)
to read as follows:
"(3)
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, attempted hours shall include
all postsecondary level course hours taken prior to high school graduation if
such student does not qualify for the HOPE scholarship as an entering freshman
based solely on his or her grade point average. As used in this paragraph, the
term 'postsecondary level course hours' means hours accepted by the
student´s eligible postsecondary institution for credit when the student
enters as a freshman."
SECTION
3.
Code
Section 20-3-519.3 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
eligibility requirements for a HOPE scholarship at a private postsecondary
institution, is amended by adding a new paragraph to the end of subsection (f)
to read as follows:
"(3)
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, attempted hours shall include
all postsecondary level course hours taken prior to high school graduation if
such student does not qualify for the HOPE scholarship as an entering freshman
based solely on his or her grade point average. As used in this paragraph, the
term 'postsecondary level course hours' means hours accepted by the
student´s eligible postsecondary institution for credit when the student
enters as a freshman."
SECTION
4.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.