Delaware General Assembly

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN OF DECEASED VETERANS AND OTHERS.

Subchapter I. Higher Education Commission Student Assistance Programs.

(a) This Chapter shall be administered by the Higher Education Commission, hereinafter referred to as the "Commission."

(b) The Commission is hereby authorized to award student financial aid from the programs described in this Chapter subject to the limits of its appropriations for this purpose.

(c) The Commission shall adopt such rules and regulations as it deems necessary, proper, convenient or incidental to the administration of this subchapter.

(d) The Commission may establish temporary or permanent advisory groups to assist in administration of these programs.

(e) The Commission shall publish annually in 2 newspapers of general circulation within the State an announcement of the application deadlines. The Commission shall inform college financial aid officers and high school guidance counselors within the State of application procedures and deadlines.

(f) Unless otherwise provided, no student shall be eligible for student assistance programs authorized in this Chapter who was not a resident of the State for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the program application deadline. The place of residence of a student who is dependent on parental financial support shall be deemed to be the legal residence of the student's parent or guardian. The place of residence of an independent student shall be deemed to be the legal residence of the student. Whether a student is considered to be independent shall be determined on the basis of the federal government's financial aid independent student definition. No student shall be deemed to satisfy for the first time the residence requirement of these programs while the student's principal occupation is that of student in a postsecondary program. Evidence of legal residence in Delaware that is deemed satisfactory to the Commission must be provided. Such evidence may include: prior year Delaware income tax return, a valid Delaware driver's license, a valid Delaware vehicle registration card, or other evidence of bona fide residence in Delaware. Delaware residence shall be considered terminated 12 months after a move from the State.

(g) Unless otherwise provided, awards from the programs authorized in this Chapter may be used only at regionally accredited colleges and universities. Under exceptional circumstances in the case of a person who will attend a program of graduate study, the Commission may, in its discretion, grant a temporary waiver to the requirement of accreditation by one of the regional accrediting associations where the institution is in the process of becoming accredited or where other comparable evidence of academic quality is provided.

(h) Unless otherwise provided, awards from the programs authorized in this Chapter are intended for full-time study. The Commission may, however, in its discretion, make prorated awards to recipients enrolled less than full-time in specific programs.

(i) By applying to the programs authorized in this Chapter, an applicant agrees to release his or her academic and financial aid records to the Commission.

(j) Disbursement of scholarship funds shall be made only to institutions, not to individual recipients, upon receipt of institutional verification that the student's academic, financial and enrollment status meet program requirements.

(k) If, at the end of the drop/add period for a term, a recipient has withdrawn from school or otherwise does not qualify for full payment, the following refund policy shall apply: 1) a student who will not be charged tuition or will receive a full refund of tuition paid is not entitled to receive any portion of the award and the full amount shall be refunded to the Commission; 2) a student who will be charged full tuition shall receive the full amount of the award for that term; 3) a student who will be charged a percentage of tuition is entitled to that same percentage of the award, and the balance shall be refunded to the Commission.

(l) The Commission may grant leaves of absence to students under circumstances including but not limited to: severe or prolonged illness, family emergency, religious obligation or to pursue activities directly related to the student's educational program.

(m) Recipients who are enrolled in cooperative education programs may receive funds only for those terms when they are attending classes, not for terms spent in work experience.

(n) Calculation of high school grade point average shall include unweighted grades in a core curriculum defined by the Commission.

(o) Calculation of cumulative grade point average in postsecondary coursework will include grades earned at all postsecondary institutions.

(p) The number and amount of awards shall be determined annually by the Commission, except that awards may not exceed the cost of tuition, mandatory fees, room, board, books and other direct educational expenses.

(q) The Commission shall annually report to the General Assembly of the State the number of recipients, the institutions attended by the recipients and the total amount of expenditures made under this Chapter.

(r) The Commission is authorized to allocate unused funds among the various programs, with prior approval of the Secretary of Education, the Budget Director, and the Controller General, to meet State priorities, achieve program objectives, and respond to student demand.

(s) Unused funds appropriated for these programs in any fiscal year shall be carried forward to the next fiscal year.

(t) The General Assembly shall each year in the Budget Act appropriate a sum to be known as Scholarships and Loans for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Chapter.

Subchapter II. Scholarship Incentive Program

§3411. Purpose.

It is the intent and purpose of the General Assembly through this subchapter to:

(a) Provide financial aid to Delaware residents with demonstrated financial need so that within the limits of the fiscal capabilities of the State they shall not be denied an opportunity for a college education because of financial need;

(b) Provide a financial incentive for higher academic achievement for students who qualify to receive such scholarships; and

(c) Encourage qualified Delaware students to pursue courses of graduate and professional education when such courses are unavailable in state-supported institutions and when such pursuit is deemed in the best interest of the State.

§3412. Administration.

(a) The Commission shall receive and administer Federal funds under the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) and Special Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (SLEAP) [20 U.S.C. § 1070c], State funds appropriated from the General Fund and private sources for the purposes set forth in this subchapter.

(b) The Commission may apply for and receive such funds as may be available to the State from any agency of the Federal government or private sources as grants for student financial assistance programs at the postsecondary level.

§3413. Scholarships.

The Commission is hereby authorized to award scholarships from the Scholarship Incentive Program (ScIP) subject to the limits of its appropriations and the following limitations:

(a) Scholarships shall be awarded only to persons who will enroll as full-time students in degree programs.

(b) No student may receive more than 5 annual scholarships for either undergraduate or graduate study.

(c) Scholarships shall be used only at educational institutions:

(1) In Delaware for undergraduate study;

(2) In states that have established scholarship reciprocity agreements with the State and the Commission for undergraduate study; or

(3) For undergraduate or graduate study in degree programs that are not offered by a publicly assisted institution in Delaware.

(d) Scholarships shall be awarded on the basis of financial need and academic merit. Financial need shall be determined by a federally approved need analysis system. The financial need calculation shall consider the student's expected family contribution, the expense of attending the institution selected, and the student's eligibility for Pell grants and other Federal, State or private grant assistance.

(e) Students must reapply for the scholarships annually, and must continue to meet all qualifications of the program.

Subchapter III. Professional Incentive Programs.

(a) Awards shall be made based on academic merit using criteria established by the Commission.

(b) For the purpose of this section an award is a loan, the repayment of which is forgiven when the borrower is employed in the specified profession required in each program for the specified period of time in accordance with the conditions specified in this section.

(c) Renewal of awards shall be limited to the number of years that constitute the standard full-time completion rate. To be eligible for renewal of an award, the recipient must meet the academic progress standards set by the Commission and communicated in writing to the recipient at the time the initial award is granted.

(d) The Commission may establish and modify interest rates to achieve purposes of the program, but in no case shall the interest rate be less than that charged to students in the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) or its successor.

(e) The interest rate charged to a recipient for his or her initial award shall be constant for subsequent awards for study toward the same degree or certification.

§3418. Repayment and Forgiveness.

(a) The Commission shall determine payment amounts, length of repayment period, and the rate and type of interest to accrue on awards, within the limitations specified in this Chapter.

(b) The Commission shall communicate the terms of repayment and interest accrual to the recipient and secure a promissory note from the recipient attesting to the recipient's agreement to such terms at the time the award is made.

(c) Repayment or forgiveness will commence following completion of the program of study and a grace period not to exceed 12 months; or, immediately after the student discontinues full-time enrollment or discontinues the specified program of study.

(d) If after 12 months following graduation the recipient is engaged in qualifying employment, no repayment of award principal or interest will be required. The recipient's awards will be forgiven in accordance with the service repayment ratios specified in this Chapter and in the order in which they were made.

(e) If during the period of service repayment, the recipient terminates qualifying employment, the recipient will be required to commence repayment of the awards or portions thereof which have not been forgiven at the time qualifying employment was terminated.

(f) If after 12 months following graduation the recipient is not engaged in qualifying employment, the recipient shall be obligated to make monthly payments until the amount of the award and interest on the award from the date of disbursement is paid in full.

(g) If during the period of cash repayment the recipient begins qualifying employment, payments will be deferred and the service repayment ratio specified in this chapter will be applied. Under no circumstances will payments already made by the recipient be reimbursed as a result of obtaining qualifying employment.

(h) The Commission may, in its discretion, grant deferments from repayment in cases of economic hardship, inability to secure qualifying employment, severe or prolonged illness, or other circumstances that can be documented to the satisfaction of the Commission. Such deferments will be limited to periods not to exceed 1 year and only 1 deferment may be granted. The length and terms of a deferment shall be communicated in writing to the recipient.

(i) The Commission may grant a deferment of repayment obligations of up to 1 year to students who have a compelling reason to interrupt coursework temporarily. Students must submit a written request for deferment and provide such documentation as the Commission deems necessary. Interest on the loan will continue to accrue during deferment periods.

(j) A recipient's repayment obligation may be cancelled if the Secretary of Education, with the concurrence of the State Board of Education, determines that the recipient is unable to meet repayment obligations because of permanent disability or death. The Commission may require such documentation as it deems necessary to verify claims or disability or death, including but not limited to a sworn affidavit from a qualified physician or a death certificate.

§3419. Christa McAuliffe Teacher Scholarship Loans.

(a) Purpose.

It is the intent and purpose of this program to encourage academically talented Delawareans to pursue teaching careers in the Delaware public schools.

(b) Awards.

(1) Except where there are no equivalent programs of study offered in state, awards shall be provided for study at Delaware institutions in undergraduate education or programs leading to teacher certification.

(2) Awards may be prorated for students who will be enrolled less than full-time in a qualifying program.

(3) Awards may be renewed to a maximum of the equivalent of 4 full-time awards.

(c) Repayment and Forgiveness.

(1) For purposes of this program, qualifying employment is employment as a teacher in a Delaware public school.

(2) Awards will be forgiven at a rate of 1 year of qualifying employment for 1 year of loan.

§3420. Critical Need Scholarships.

(a) Purpose.

It is the purpose of this program to reduce the number of Delaware public school teachers who do not hold Standard Certification in their area of instruction by enabling and encouraging those teachers to pursue education that will enable them to become fully certified.

(b) Eligibility.

(1) Eligible applicants are Delaware school districts.

(2) Eligible teachers are:

(A) Full-time employees of a Delaware school district.

(B) Teaching on a Temporary or Limited Standard Certificate.

(C) Teaching in critical need areas as defined by the Department of Education.

(3) Awards will be made on behalf of specific teachers, or if demand exceeds available funding, then allocated among the districts on a prorated share of the applicant pool.

(4) Districts are authorized to reimburse teachers for all or part of tuition and fees paid for coursework that will enable them to achieve Standard Certification upon receipt of evidence that the teacher has successfully completed coursework with a grade equivalent of a 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

(c) Benefit.

Districts will receive funding to reimburse eligible teachers (those not certified in the critical need area in which they teach) only for tuition and fees for up to 3 credits per term during the regular academic year. Recipients may attend any accredited college, but reimbursement is not to exceed the cost of 3 credits and fees at the highest-cost Delaware public college.

(d) Awards.

(1) If funding permits, districts will receive funding sufficient to allow each eligible teacher for whom a request is made to receive full tuition and fee reimbursement, pursuant to the provisions of §3420(c) of this Title, for up to three credits in each Fall and Spring semester. Districts must verify course completion with a grade equivalent of a 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale before reimbursing tuition.

(2) If funding requests exceed the program's appropriation, districts will be awarded funds in a prorated share of the applicant pool.

§3421. Delaware Nursing Incentive Program.

(a) Purpose.

It is the intent and purpose of the General Assembly through this subchapter to enable and encourage academically talented Delawareans to pursue nursing careers at State-operated hospitals.

(b) Awards.

(1) Awards shall be provided for undergraduate education at regionally accredited institutions of higher education or accredited hospital schools of nursing, for the following objectives:

(a) A course of study leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, if the award recipient is a registered nurse employed by this State, and also has 5 years or more of state service; or

(b) For all other recipients, a course of study leading to certification as a registered nurse or practical nurse.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter, awards may be made available, on a prorated basis, to employees of the State who are enrolled as part-time nursing students.

(3) The Delaware residence requirement shall not apply to any employee of the State who is enrolled as a part-time nursing student, and who has 5 or more years of state service.

(c) Repayment and Forgiveness.

(1) For the purposes of this program, qualifying employment shall be employment as a licensed practical nurse or a registered nurse at a State-owned hospital or clinic.

(2) Loans will be forgiven at the rate of 1 year of employment for 1 year of loan.

§3422. Speech/Language Pathologist Incentive Loan.

(a) Purpose.

It is the intent and purpose of this program to encourage academically talented Delawareans to pursue careers in speech language pathology in Delaware public schools.

(b) Awards.

(1) Awards shall be provided for graduate education in programs that will satisfy the educational requirements for Delaware state licensure as a speech/language pathologist.

(2) Awards shall be made to applicants who have received a baccalaureate degree and who plan to enroll as full-time students in qualifying programs.

(3) Awards may be made available on a prorated basis to employees of Delaware's public schools who are enrolled as part-time students in qualifying programs.

(c) Repayment and Forgiveness.

(1) For purposes of this program, qualifying employment shall be employment as a licensed speech pathologist in a Delaware public school.

(2) Loans will be forgiven at the rate of 2 years of employment for 1 year of loan.

§3423. Professional Librarian and Archivist Incentive Program.

(a) Purpose.

It is the intent and purpose of this program to enable and encourage academically talented Delawareans to pursue careers as librarians and archivists in the public libraries, public school libraries, state agencies and political subdivisions of Delaware.

(b) Awards.

(1) Awards shall be provided for graduate education in master's degree programs of library and information studies that are accredited by the American Library Association.

(2) Preference shall be given to persons currently employed by a Delaware public library, county department of libraries, public school library or state agency library or archive.

(3) Selection criteria may include consideration of community service, academic achievement and financial need.

(c) Repayment and Forgiveness.

(1) For purposes of this program, qualifying employment shall be employment as a librarian or archivist in a public library, public school library, state agency or political subdivision in Delaware.

(2) Loans will be forgiven at the rate of 2 years of employment for 1 year of loan.

§3424. Optometry Scholarship Loan.

(a) Purpose.

It is the intent of this program to encourage academically talented students to pursue careers as optometrists in Delaware. This program replaces the Optometric Institutional Aid program, but does not change or limit the terms of contracts made to individuals under the provisions of the Optometric Institutional Aid program.

(b) Awards.

(1) Awards shall be made to baccalaureate degree holders who will enroll as full-time students in programs that prepare students for licensure as optometrists in Delaware.

(2) The Commission may limit attendance to one or more designated institutions, or may allow loans to be used at any qualifying college of optometry.

(c) Repayment and Forgiveness.

(1) For purposes of this program, qualifying employment shall be the practice of optometry in the State of Delaware.

(2) Loans will be forgiven at a rate of 1 year of employment for 1 year of loan.

Subchapter IV. Merit based scholarship Programs.

It is the purpose of this program to award merit-based scholarships to Delaware students who have demonstrated academic excellence. The program is intended to serve as both an incentive and a reward for serious academic achievement.

(1) High school seniors who plan to enroll as full-time students at a degree-granting college during the academic year immediately following high school graduation and who meet application requirements established by the Commission are eligible to apply.

(2) Application requirements shall be established by the Commission and may include grades, standardized test scores, participation in extra-curricular activities, essay questions, and other indicators of achievement.

(3) Awards may be renewed for a total of 4 years of undergraduate study, provided the recipient meets renewal requirements established by the Commission and communicated in writing at the time of the original award.

(4) If a student fails to meet the renewal requirements, eligibility for the Scholarship is terminated. Attainment of qualifying grades in subsequent years will not qualify the student for reinstatement to the program.

(5) Scholarships are provided for the purpose of meeting direct and indirect costs of higher education. Where such education costs are non-existent or reduced, as in the case of U.S. military academies, the Commission may designate a particular student as a Diamond State Scholar without monetary award or may reduce the value of the scholarship.

Subchapter V. Memorial Scholarships.

§3440. Purpose.

It is the intent and purpose of the General Assembly through this subchapter to provide scholarships to deserving Delawareans in memory of elected officials and other distinguished citizens who served the State with distinction and for whom recognition through an education endowment is a fitting memorial. To this end, the General Assembly hereby establishes the Memorial Scholarship Fund.

§3441. Awards.

(a) Scholarships shall be awarded to students who will enroll as first-time full-time students in the academic year following award of the scholarship.

(b) Scholarships shall be awarded in an amount sufficient to meet the costs of tuition, required fees, room, board and books at the institution specified.

(c) Selection of scholarship recipients shall be based on criteria established by the Commission that shall include the qualities of academic achievement, community service, participation in extracurricular activities and promise of academic success in college.

(d) Where several students are judged to be equally qualified for the scholarships, financial need may be considered in making scholarship awards.

(e) Awards shall be renewable within the limits of appropriations for the program, to a maximum of 4 awards, provided the student meets the academic progress standards set by the Commission and communicated in writing to the recipient at the time the initial award is granted.

§3442. B. Bradford Barnes Memorial Scholarship.

(a) Awards.

(1) One scholarship shall be awarded each year to a graduating high school senior who will enter the University of Delaware.

(2) The Commission shall award scholarships only to students who have accepted an admissions offer from the University of Delaware by a deadline date established by agreement between the University of Delaware and the Commission.

§3443. Herman M. Holloway, Sr. Memorial Scholarship.

(a) Awards.

(1) One scholarship shall be awarded each year to a student who will enter Delaware State University.

(2) The Commission shall award scholarships only to students who have accepted an admissions offer from Delaware State University by a deadline date established by agreement between Delaware State University and the Commission.

§3444. Charles L. "Chuck" Hebner Memorial Scholarship.

(a) Awards.

(1) Each year, one scholarship shall be awarded to a qualifying student at the University of Delaware, and one scholarship shall be awarded to a qualifying student at Delaware State University.

(2) Scholarships will be awarded to students who will major in humanities or social sciences.

(3) Priority will be given to students who will major in political science.

(4) The Commission shall award scholarships only to students who have accepted an admissions offer from the University of Delaware or Delaware State University by a deadline date established by agreement between the Commission and each University respectively.

§3445. Ivyane D.F. Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund.

(a) Purpose.

It is the intent and purpose of the General Assembly through this section to provide scholarships in memory of Ivyane D.F. Davis, who died February 7, 1989, to deserving Delaware residents who have been placed under foster care in Delaware, and to this end there hereby is established the Ivyane D.F. Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund.

(b) Administration.

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, this scholarship fund shall be administered by the Child Placement Review Board.

(2) The Board shall adopt such rules and regulations as it deems necessary and proper to administer the provisions of this scholarship fund.

(3) The Board shall annually report to the General Assembly of the State the number of recipients of scholarships, the institutions attended by said recipients, the total of expenditures made under this scholarship fund, and such other information as it deems useful for members of the General Assembly.

(c) Eligibility.

Scholarships awarded under this scholarship fund shall be available to applicants who have been residents of Delaware for at least 1 year immediately preceding the application and who were at any time under foster care in Delaware, and who have been accepted at or who are attending an institution of higher learning or trade school.

(d) Scholarship awards.

(1) The Board shall award up to 50 Ivyane D.F. Davis Memorial Scholarships annually, subject to General Assembly appropriations and private donations to, and interest earned on proceeds of the scholarship fund created herein.

(2) Scholarship awards shall not exceed the amount set by the Board.

(3) Scholarships may be renewed upon application by recipients on an annual basis if the Board is satisfied that the recipient is making satisfactory academic or vocational progress.

(4) Selection of scholarship recipients shall be based on such criteria, established by the Board, as academic achievement, community service, participation in extracurricular activities and promise of success in the institution of higher learning or vocational courses selected by applicants.

(5) In cases where more than 1 applicant are judged to be equally qualified for scholarships, financial need shall be considered in establishing priorities for the award of available scholarships.

Funds disbursed under this scholarship fund shall be disbursed on an annual or semiannual basis and shall be disbursed to the institution or school which a recipient attends, not directly to the student.

(e) Creation of Ivyane D.F. Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund.

(1) The Ivyane D.F. Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund is hereby created.

(2) The Board is authorized to accept donations from private individuals and organizations for deposit in the Fund.

(3) All appropriations from the General Assembly to the Fund, donations to the Fund, and interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the award of scholarships as provided under this Section.

§3446. Michael C. Ferguson Achievement Awards.

Michael C. Ferguson Achievement Awards shall be administered pursuant to rules and regulations adopted by the Department of Education as set forth in the provisions of § 153 (c), Title 14 of the Delaware Code.

Subchapter VI. Educational Benefits for Children of Deceased Veterans and Others.

§3451. Statement of purpose.

It is the purpose of this subchapter to provide educational benefits for the children of deceased veterans of the military services of the United States, military service personnel held prisoner of war, military service personnel officially declared to be missing in action and state police officers killed in the line of duty.

§3452. Requirements to receive benefits.

(a) In order to qualify for the benefits of this subchapter, an applicant shall be:

(1) The child of:

(A) A member of the armed forces who was killed while on active duty or who died from disease, wounds, injuries or disabilities arising or resulting from performance of duty; or

(B) A member of the armed forces who is being held, or who was held as a prisoner of war; or

(C) A member of the armed forces officially declared missing in action; or

(D) A state police officer who was killed in the line of duty or who died from disease, wounds or disabilities arising or resulting from pursuit of the officer's official duties;

(2) A person who at the time of application for benefits is at least 16 years of age, but not more than 24 years of age, and who shall have been a resident of the State for at least 3 years prior to the date of application; and

(3) Attending or admitted for attendance at an educational institution beyond the high school level in a program not to exceed 4 years in duration.

(b) No child of a member of the armed forces shall receive educational benefits in accordance with this subchapter unless such child qualifies under subsection (a) of this section, and;

(1) A parent of such child is a resident of the State and is or was missing in action or held as a prisoner of war; or

(2) A parent of such child was a resident of the State at the time such parent was killed or later died from disease, wounds, injuries or disabilities arising or resulting from performance of duty.

§3453. Vested rights.

Any person found to be qualified for the benefits of this subchapter as the child of a deceased or missing veteran shall not be divested of the benefits upon the return of the veteran who was a prisoner of war, missing in action or mistakenly listed as deceased.

§3454. Eligible institutions.

Benefits authorized in this subchapter may be utilized for attendance at:

(1) An institution financially supported by the State; or

(2) If the desired major or training is not available in such an institution, then at a private institution in Delaware; or

(3) If there is no institution in Delaware offering such major or training, at a public or private institution in another state; or

(4) If an eligible student chooses to attend an institution out of the sequence described herein, the value of the benefit will be reduced as described in this Subchapter.

§3455. Extent of benefit.

(a) The per student benefits granted under this subchapter may not exceed the amount of tuition and fees per academic year.

(b) Benefits shall be limited to 4 years of training or education.

(c) If the student attends an institution according to the priority sequence outlined above, the benefit shall be equal to the amount of tuition and fees. If the student chooses to attend a Delaware private institution when his/her major is offered at a Delaware public institution, or if the student chooses to attend an out-of-state institution when his/her major is offered at a Delaware public institution and/or a Delaware private institution, the amount of the benefit shall be equal to the tuition and fees of:

(1) The average tuition and fees of the Delaware public institutions which offer the major; or

(2) The average tuition and fees of the Delaware private institutions which offer the major, if it is not offered at a Delaware public institution.

Subchapter VII. Engineering and Applied Science Recruitment Fund.

(a) "Fund" means the Engineering and Applied Science Recruitment Fund.

(b) "Director" means the Executive Director of the Delaware Higher Education Commission.

(c) "Underrepresented group" means women and racial or ethnic minorities who are underrepresented in engineering and applied science programs at institutions of higher education.

(a) The Fund consists of State funds appropriated to further the purpose of this Subchapter.

(b) The Commission may apply for and receive funds from federal or local governments, and grants and gifts from private corporations, trusts and other sources.

(c) For any fiscal year the General Assembly may not appropriate to the Fund an amount that exceeds the amount of donations to eligible organizations from private sources during the preceding fiscal year.

The Commission shall allocate the Fund to eligible nonprofit organizations for the purpose of:

(a) Establishing or operating educational programs to assist women and racial or ethnic minority group members in preparing for or participating in programs leading to an undergraduate degree in engineering or applied science from an institution of higher education; and

(b) Disseminating information concerning:

(1) Educational and career opportunities in engineering and applied science; and

(2) The Fund and programs funded under this Subchapter.

(a) The Fund shall be allocated in accordance with guidelines adopted by the Commission, unless otherwise designated by the General Assembly through the Budget Act.

(b) Programs approved for funding must:

(1) Use professional volunteers or qualified staff at each level of instruction;

(2) Encourage parental involvement;

(3) Coordinate with public school preparation for engineering and applied science careers;

(4) Coordinate with postsecondary educational institutions;

(5) Involve organizations of women and minority group members;

(6) Involve participants beginning in 7^th grade or earlier;

(7) Provide demonstrated professional leadership in educational activities for women and racial and ethnic minority group members; and

(8) Be compatible with state and federal laws governing education.

(c) Preference shall be given to programs that stress the development of mathematical and scientific competence.

(d) In making allocations, the Commission may solicit advice from groups or individuals that work for the recruitment of women and racial and ethnic minority group members into engineering and applied science careers.

(e) The Commission shall adopt rules establishing procedures by which an agency or organization must apply for funding and account for any funds received.

(a) To be eligible to receive funds under this subchapter, an agency or organization must:

(1) Qualify for exemption from federal income tax under § 501, Internal Revenue Code [26 U.S.C. § 501];

(2) Not distribute net earnings to any private shareholder or other individual; and

(3) Serve women and racial or ethnic minority group members.

(b) The Director shall determine annually which groups meet the requirements of this subchapter.

Subchapter VIII. Legislative Essay Scholarship

(a) Essays must be original and between 500 and 2,000 words in length.

(b) The topic shall be chosen each year by a committee that consists of one member of the Higher Education Commission designated by the Executive Director, one member designated by the president of the Delaware Society Sons of the American Revolution, and one member designated by the regent of the Delaware State Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

(c) The topic of the essay must relate to:

(1) Events, persons, philosophies, technologies, governments, or ideals in American history;

(2) The approximate 90-year period from 1770 to 1860, including events leading up to the American Revolutionary War, but excluding the Civil War; and

(3) A positive approach to the overall theme of 'Building the Foundations of the Modern United States of America.'

(a) One $500 nonrenewable scholarship shall be awarded to a 12^th grade student-resident from each senatorial and representative district in the State whose essay meets the standards established by the Commission.

(b) Three statewide awards shall be made to the writers of the top 3 senatorial or representative district scholarship winners. These nonrenewable scholarships will be in the amounts of $5,000, $2,500, and $1,500.

Subchapter IX. Education Endowment Fund.

(a) To qualify as tax deductible donations, contributions to the Fund must be made without restriction or precondition.

(b) The Commission shall ensure that contributors of qualifying donations receive such documentation as may be necessary to support tax deduction of gifts to the Fund.

(c) The Commission may establish such rules and regulations as it deems necessary for administration of this Subchapter.

(d) The Commission shall hold the Fund in an interest-bearing account, or may invest and reinvest funds to advance the purposes of this Subchapter.

(e) Awards from the Fund must be based on student financial need, but may include other criteria as may be established by the Commission.

Subchapter X. Higher Education for Senior Citizens.

Subchapter XI. Delaware National Guard Educational Benefits

(a) Any active member of a federally recognized unit of the Delaware National Guard, who meets the requirements for satisfactory membership as defined by the Adjutant General of the Delaware National Guard, shall be eligible for funding support by the Delaware National Guard for certain post-secondary education tuition and fees under the following conditions:

(1) The member must first apply for and utilize all other reasonably available tuition assistance programs, including scholarships, grants and civilian employer education benefit programs.

(2) The member must make application to the Adjutant General for tuition and fee assistance in advance of a class or course of instruction according to a schedule announced by the Adjutant General.

(3) Education benefits authorized by this section may be used only for attendance at a post-secondary educational institution either financially supported by the State or, if private, located in the State. If a member chooses to attend a State-supported institution, tuition and fees shall be reimbursed for the full amount expended, not to exceed the in-state resident rate. If a member chooses to attend a Delaware private institution, the amount of the benefit shall be equal to the average tuition and fees of the Delaware post-secondary institutions which offer the class or course of instruction, based on the in-state resident rate.

(4) Each class or course of instruction taken by a member must be one that is required by the institution for the award of a specific certificate or of a specific associate's degree or bachelor's degree.

(5) The per-member benefits granted under this section shall be limited to only 1 certificate or degree program at each level of study, namely, a certificate program, an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree.

(6) A member may be enrolled in a certificate or degree program full-time or part-time.

(7) A member may not receive education benefits pursuant to this section more than 10 years after the date on which the member begins the first course for which funds are granted. However, in the event that a member is called to active duty or to an activation that requires the member to discontinue his or her education benefits the 10-year limit may be extended by the amount of time the member serves on that active duty or activation.

(8) This tuition and fee assistance program will be subject to the limits of the total funding appropriated by the legislature and approved by the Governor for that purpose.

(b) In order to receive funds for tuition and fees for a post-secondary class or course of instruction authorized by this section, a member must:

(1) Agree to serve in a satisfactory manner for a period of not less than 6 years in the Delaware National Guard. The 6-year requirement may include service time before, during, and after the member receives funding for education benefits pursuant to this section;

(2) Earn a grade no lower than a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent, for each individual course for which tuition and fee assistance is granted. In any course for which a specific grade is not issued, the member must show documentation to verify satisfactory completion. Failure to maintain a cumulative grade-point-average of 2.0 or higher will be cause for forfeit of funding for all courses taken for the semester or period in which the grade point average remains below the 2.0 level; and

(3) Submit to the Adjutant General within 45 days after completing a course proof of:

a. The course title and grade received;

b. The amount of tuition and fees paid for the course;

c. The name of the post-secondary institution where the course was taken; and

d. Evidence of the member's cumulative grade point average for courses taken to date.

(c) The Adjutant General shall appoint a board to adopt rules and regulations and to provide forms as deemed necessary and proper for the efficient administration of this section.

(d) Upon approval by the Adjutant General, and subject to the availability of appropriated funds, tuition and fee assistance shall be provided by the Delaware National Guard to the member from funds appropriated to the National Guard in the annual Budget Appropriations Act or in amendments thereto for that purpose.

(e) A member who has received funding pursuant to this section but who does not fulfill the service commitment required by subsection (b)(1) of this section, or who is terminated from the National Guard for cause, or who otherwise fails to comply with any requirement of this section shall immediately become ineligible to receive education benefits pursuant to this section and shall repay the Delaware National Guard for all tuition and fee funding previously extended to the member, including interest, on a pro rata basis from the time of termination or noncompliance. The Adjutant General shall determine the amount of repayment due by the member pursuant to this subsection.

(f) If membership in the National Guard is terminated for other than cause, the member will not be required to repay previously funded tuition and fees.

(g) A member shall not receive funding for any tuition or fees not applied for prior to termination for any reason of membership in the National Guard.

(h) The Adjutant General shall report annually to the General Assembly:

(1) The number of members who participated at each Delaware post-secondary school during the year;

(2) The total amount of tuition and fee expenditures made pursuant to this section during the year;

(3) The total amount required to be repaid to the National Guard by defaulting members during the year; and

(4) The total amount of moneys actually repaid by defaulting members during the year.

Subchapter V. Delaware Higher Education Commission.

(1) Ensure that State resources for higher education are targeted on State priorities serving Delawareans;

(2) Ensure that higher education is accessible and affordable to all Delaware students who qualify for admission by providing financial assistance and guidance services;

(3) Strengthen the role and impact of higher education in elementary and secondary education reform, achievement of student performance expectations, and teacher professional development;

(4) Ensure that higher education curricula and student achievement standards are aligned with Delaware's workforce development needs;

(5) Ensure that higher education and elementary and secondary education curricula and student achievement standards are aligned to facilitate student readiness to enter college;

(6) Enhance the capacity for quality data collection and reporting to meet federal mandates, regional and interstate contractual agreements, and national data sharing requirements;

(7) In cooperation with the Department of Education, identify and implement methods to ensure a seamless transition for Delaware residents from elementary and secondary education to post secondary education;

(8) Ensure that higher education services reflect changing needs and capabilities by exploring regional and national trends, and recommending implementation as appropriate;

(9) Promote student academic preparation for higher education and facilitate families saving for college;

(10) Expand education opportunities available through interstate agreements such as the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), and the State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College, and publicize and promote their use;

(11) Expand and promote use of quality technology opportunities in higher education, including distance learning and internet-based options;

(12) Monitor and assist in resolution of consumer complaints related to student financial assistance, academic credit, and credit transfer; coordinate efforts as appropriate with Department of Justice and private consumer protection agencies;

(13) Promote and help focus private sector giving for student financial assistance;

(14) Provide administrative support to the Delaware College Investment Plan Board of Trustees and coordinate marketing and promotion of the Delaware College Investment Plan;

(15) Administer specific programs relating to higher education and others as may be established or assigned by the General Assembly, State Board of Education and the Department of Education;

(16) Approve out of state colleges to operate in Delaware;

(17) Approve proprietary trade and technical schools; and

(18) Approve Delaware colleges for Veteran's Administration programs.

The membership of the Higher Education Commission shall consist of the following: Presidents of Public Colleges in Delaware (3), Chairman of one public college board of trustees, appointed by the Governor (1), President of an independent college, appointed by the Governor (1), President of the Board of Trustees of an independent college, appointed by the Governor (1), Secretary of Education (1), Representative of the Governor's Office (1), Governor's appointees (5), for a total membership of 13 persons. The Governor shall appoint the Chair of the commission.

"(12) The State Board of Education shall approve all regulations of the Higher Education Commission."

Section 8. Amend Subchapter III, Chapter 55, of Title 14 of the Delaware Code by striking Subsection III in its entirety.

Approved July 17, 2001