Bill > HB2123

This bill modifies the Higher Education Academic Scholarship Program in Missouri by establishing two key changes. First, before the 2027-28 academic year, the program will continue to provide scholarships to top-performing high school students based on ACT or SAT scores, with students in the top 3% receiving up to $3,000 annually and those in the top 4-5% receiving up to $1,000. Starting in the 2027-28 academic year, the scholarship will instead cover the full in-state tuition for eligible students for their first four semesters, with potential renewal for up to six semesters for students in eligible programs of study. Second, the bill introduces the "Missouri Higher Education Workforce Policy Prioritization Act," which requires the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development to develop a new funding model for public higher education institutions. This model will aim to align funding with workforce needs, provide stable resources for institutions, and include performance-based components. The new funding model must be developed in consultation with public institutions, tested, evaluated, and ultimately approved by the general assembly before becoming effective in the 2028-29 fiscal year. The bill emphasizes creating a simple, transparent funding approach that supports student success and meets the state's professional workforce requirements.

Education

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB2123&year=2026&code=R