SB 961 -- NATIONAL GUARD SCHOLARSHIPS

CO-SPONSORS: Stoll, Maxwell (Ransdall)

COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Higher Education by a vote of 16 to 0.

This bill allows National Guard Scholarships to be used at any public or private school approved for inclusion in the Advantage Missouri Program, a loan forgiveness program aimed at encouraging students to major in areas related to "occupational areas of high demand." The bill also requires that available federal Department of Defense educational assistance funds be expended before funds through the National Guard Scholarship program may be used.

The bill contains an emergency clause.

FISCAL NOTE: No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS: Supporters say that the bill provides more flexibility for National Guard members in using their scholarships.

Testifying for the bill was Senator Stoll.

OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Debra Cheshier, Senior Legislative Analyst