Bill > H5099

This bill establishes the Rhode Island Hope Scholarship Pilot Program to increase the number of students enrolling in and obtaining degrees from Rhode Island College in a timely fashion, particularly in high-need fields like nursing, education, and the trades. The program would provide the cost of up to two years of tuition and mandatory fees for eligible students during their junior and senior years or for adult students with at least 60 credit hours. Eligibility requirements include being a full-time Rhode Island resident student, maintaining a 2.5 GPA, and remaining on track to graduate on time. The bill includes reporting and disbursement requirements for Rhode Island College, and allows for charitable donations and annual appropriations by the General Assembly to fund the program. The pilot program would run from July 1, 2023, to July 1, 2028, after which the General Assembly would need to take further action to continue the program.