Bill Text: VA SB937 | 2020 | Regular Session | Engrossed


Bill Title: TANF Scholarship Pilot Program; VCCS to establish and administer, effective clause.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2020-03-03 - Left in Appropriations [SB937 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2020-SB937-Engrossed.html
20105208D
SENATE BILL NO. 937
Senate Amendments in [ ] – February 11, 2020
A BILL to direct the Virginia Community College System to establish the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Scholarship Pilot Program.
----------
Patrons Prior to Engrossment--Senators Surovell, Stanley and Hanger; Delegate: Kory
----------
Referred to Committee on Education and Health
----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. §1. That the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) shall establish a two-year pilot program, to be referred to as the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Scholarship Pilot Program (the Program), beginning in 2020 for the purpose of providing access to postsecondary educational opportunities to students living in poverty. The Program shall provide to selected students who meet the TANF eligibility requirements scholarships to select comprehensive community colleges in VCCS. Program funds shall be used to make payments for any part of a student's cost of attendance not already covered by other grant aid at the participating comprehensive community college. As used in this section, "cost of attendance" includes tuition, fees, books, living expenses, transportation, and personal expenses.

§2. The Program shall be funded with federal TANF block grant funds appropriated for this purpose. Such funds shall be used to provide to 200 students participating in the Program a maximum of $4,000 each per year. Such funds shall be paid to VCCS for disbursement to participating comprehensive community colleges.

§3. The Program shall be implemented at two or more comprehensive community colleges, at least one of which shall be located in an urban area and at least one of which shall be located in a rural area. Comprehensive community colleges participating or applying to participate in the Program shall submit information outlining educational and vocational programs offered at the applying or participating comprehensive community college that have been shown, through surveys or other assessments, to lead to self-sufficiency for enrolled students, including [ credit or noncredit ] programs in which students receive a degree or qualifications necessary to obtain licensure or certification in a specific field of employment.

§4. VCCS and the Virginia Department of Social Services shall enter into a memorandum of understanding establishing the parameters of the Program and the method for selecting students to participate in the Program. VCCS shall monitor, record, and analyze the outcomes of all students participating in the Program.

§5. VCCS shall report to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than December 1 of each year of the Program. Such report shall include (i) the number of students who were eligible to participate in the Program, (ii) the number of students selected to participate in the Program, (iii) the criteria for selection and other nonidentifying statistical information about students selected to participate in the Program, (iv) student outcome analysis and evaluation, (v) methods used to assess student outcomes, (vi) information regarding the comprehensive community colleges selected to participate in the Program and the areas in which such comprehensive community colleges are located, (vii) actual expenditures for the Program, and (viii) any other information deemed necessary by VCCS to evaluate the effectiveness of the Program.

[ 2. That the provisions of this act shall not become effective unless an appropriation effectuating the purposes of this act is included in a general appropriation act passed in 2020 by the General Assembly that becomes law. ]

feedback