Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that would award in-state students who meet certain criteria educational grants at any North Dakota school, eventually covering all tuition costs by 2018.

Highlights:

-Establishes qualifications for receiving a state-funded educational grant, which include in-state high school enrollment for all four years, completion of four units of science and upper-level math, and an ACT composite or math score of 23 (Sec. 1). -Beginning in the 2012-13 school year, the grant will cover 65% of the tuition costs at any North Dakota college or university. The percent covered will increase by 5% every school year until the 2017-18 school year, in which the entire tuition will be covered (Sec. 2). -Provides that the amount of the scholarship rewarded will be raised with Consumer Price Index over the next three years, in order to ensure that the percentage of tuition covered will remain the same (Sec. 2). -Requires the state board of higher education to present an annual report regarding student demographics and achievement (Sec. 4). -Appropriates $25 million to the merit trust fund, including $10 million from the state fire and tornado fund (Sec. 6-7). -Intends to provide future appropriations of $40 million by the 2009-11 biennium (Sec. 8). -Requires students to execute a promissory note in order to receive their funds. (Sec. 10).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that would award in-state students who meet certain criteria educational grants at any North Dakota school, eventually covering all tuition costs by 2018.

Highlights:

-Establishes qualifications for receiving a state-funded educational grant, which include in-state high school enrollment for all four years, completion of four units of science and upper-level math, and an ACT composite or math score of 23 (Sec. 1). -Beginning in the 2012-2013 school year, the grant will cover 65 percent of the tuition costs at any North Dakota college or university (sec. 2). -The percent covered will increase to 70 percent in 2013-2014 and increase by five percent every school year until the 2017-2018 school year when the entire cost tuition will be covered (Sec. 2). -Provides that the amount of the scholarship rewarded will be raised with Consumer Price Index over the next three years, in order to ensure that the percentage of tuition covered will remain the same (Sec. 2). -Appropriates $25 million to the merit trust fund, including $10 million from the state fire and tornado fund (Sec. 6-7). -Intends to provide future appropriations of $40 million by the 2009-11 biennium (Sec. 8).

Full Bill Text