53B-8-105 - New Century scholarships -- High school requirements.
53B-8-105. New Century scholarships -- High school requirements.
(1) As used in this section, "complete the requirements for an associate degree" meansthat a student:
(a) (i) completes all the required courses for an associate degree from a higher educationinstitution within the state system of higher education that offers associate degrees; and
(ii) applies for the associate degree from the institution; or
(b) completes equivalent requirements described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) from a highereducation institution within the state system of higher education that offers baccalaureate degreesbut does not offer associate degrees.
(2) (a) The board shall award New Century scholarships.
(b) The board shall develop and approve the math and science curriculum describedunder Subsection (3)(a)(ii).
(3) (a) In order to qualify for a New Century scholarship, a student in Utah schools shallcomplete the requirements for an:
(i) associate degree; or
(ii) approved math and science curriculum.
(b) The requirements under Subsection (3)(a) shall be completed:
(i) (A) for a student whose class graduates from high school in 2010 or before, bySeptember 1 of the year the student's class graduates from high school; or
(B) for a student whose class graduates from high school in 2011 or after, by the day onwhich the student's class graduates from high school; and
(ii) with at least a 3.0 grade point average.
(c) In addition to the requirements in Subsection (3)(a), a student in Utah schools whoseclass graduates from high school in 2011 or after shall:
(i) complete the high school graduation requirements of:
(A) a public high school established by the State Board of Education and the student'sschool district or charter school; or
(B) a private high school in the state that is accredited by a regional accrediting bodyapproved by the board; and
(ii) complete high school with at least a 3.5 cumulative high school grade point average.
(4) Notwithstanding Subsection (3), for a student who does not receive a high schoolgrade point average, the student shall:
(a) complete the requirements for an associate degree:
(i) (A) for a student who completes high school in 2010 or before, by September 1 of theyear the student completes high school; or
(B) for a student who completes high school in 2011 or after, by June 15 of the year thestudent completes high school; and
(ii) with at least a 3.0 grade point average; and
(b) score a composite ACT score of 26 or higher.
(5) To be eligible for the scholarship, a student:
(a) shall submit an application to the board with:
(i) an official college transcript showing college courses the student has completed tocomplete the requirements for an associate degree; and
(ii) (A) if applicable, an official high school transcript; or
(B) if applicable, a copy of the student's ACT scores;
(b) shall be a citizen of the United States or a noncitizen who is eligible to receive federalstudent aid;
(c) may not have a criminal record, with the exception of a misdemeanor traffic citation;and
(d) if applicable, shall meet the application deadlines as established by the board underSubsection (10).
(6) (a) The scholarship may be used at a:
(i) higher education institution within the state system of higher education that offersbaccalaureate programs; or
(ii) private, nonprofit college or university in the state accredited by the NorthwestAssociation of Schools and Colleges that offers baccalaureate programs.
(b) For a student whose class graduates from high school in 2010 and who completes therequirements under Subsection (3)(a) by September 1, 2010:
(i) if used at an institution described in Subsection (6)(a)(i), the value of the scholarshipis up to 75% of the tuition costs at the selected institution; or
(ii) if used at an institution described in Subsection (6)(a)(ii), the value of the scholarshipis up to 75% of the tuition costs at the institution, not to exceed 75% of the average tuition costsat the institutions referred in Subsection (6)(a)(i).
(c) (i) For a student whose class graduates in 2011 or after and who completes therequirements under this section, the total value of the scholarship is up to $5,000, allocated overa time period described in Subsection (6)(d), as prescribed by the board.
(ii) The board may increase the scholarship amount described in Subsection (6)(c)(i) byan amount not to exceed the average percentage tuition increase approved by the board forinstitutions in the state system of higher education.
(d) The scholarship is valid for the shortest of the following time periods:
(i) two years of full-time equivalent enrollment;
(ii) 60 credit hours; or
(iii) until the student meets the requirements for a baccalaureate degree.
(e) (i) A scholarship holder shall enroll full-time at a higher education institution by nolater than the fall term immediately following the student's high school graduation date or receivean approved deferral from the board.
(ii) The board may grant a deferral or leave of absence to a scholarship holder, but thestudent may only receive scholarship money within five years of the student's high schoolgraduation date.
(7) The board may cancel a New Century scholarship at any time if the student fails to:
(a) register as a full-time student;
(b) maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average for two consecutive semesters; or
(c) make reasonable progress towards the completion of a baccalaureate degree.
(8) (a) Subject to future budget constraints, the Legislature shall make an annualappropriation from the General Fund to the board for the costs associated with the New CenturyScholarship Program authorized under this section.
(b) It is understood that the appropriation is offset in part by the state money that wouldotherwise be required and appropriated for these students if they were enrolled in a four-yearpostsecondary program at a state-operated institution.
(c) Notwithstanding Subsections (2)(a) and (6), if the appropriation under Subsection
(8)(a) is insufficient to cover the costs associated with the New Century Scholarship Program, theboard may reduce the scholarship amount.
(9) (a) The board shall adopt policies establishing an application process and an appealprocess for a New Century scholarship.
(b) The board shall disclose on all applications and related materials that the amount ofthe scholarship is subject to funding and may be reduced, in accordance with Subsection (8)(c).
(10) The board may set deadlines for receiving New Century scholarship applicationsand supporting documentation.
(11) A student may not receive both a New Century scholarship and a Regents'scholarship established in Section 53B-8-108.
Amended by Chapter 270, 2010 General Session