Bill > SB2147

This bill modifies several student financial assistance programs in North Dakota to expand eligibility and provide additional funding and protections. The bill makes changes to the skilled workforce student loan repayment program and skilled workforce scholarship program, allowing recipients to qualify if they live within 50 miles of North Dakota and work in the state. It adds new provisions preventing scholarship recipients from being related to or directly involved with entities providing matching funds. The bill also creates a new supplemental state grant award for students with family incomes up to $80,000, which can supplement existing financial aid to cover tuition costs. Additionally, the bill limits scholarship and grant amounts to the total cost of attendance at an institution, ensuring students cannot receive more financial aid than their educational expenses. A $2 million appropriation is included to fund the new supplemental student financial assistance grants program, which will be available for the 2025-2027 biennium. The changes aim to make higher education more accessible and support workforce development by providing additional financial support to students pursuing high-demand professional and technical skills in North Dakota.