Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

Legislative Analysis
                                                                           Phone: (517) 373-8080
TUITION ASSISTANCE ELIGIBILITY                                             http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa
House Bill 5175 as introduced                                              Analysis available at
Sponsor: Rep. Amos O’Neal                                                  http://www.legislature.mi.gov
House Bill 5176 as introduced
Sponsor: Rep. Jimmie Wilson, Jr.
House Bill 5177 as introduced
Sponsor: Rep. Kara Hope
Committee: Higher Education
Complete to 10-24-23
SUMMARY:
           House Bills 5175, 5176, and 5177 would amend different acts that govern college tuition
           assistance programs to allow individuals who have been convicted of felonies or are
           incarcerated to be eligible for those respective programs. All of the programs created by
           the acts these bills would amend were overseen by the Michigan Higher Education
           Assistance Authority, which became the Michigan Finance Authority (MFA) under
           Executive Order 2010-2, 1 and each act would also be amended to also reflect this
           reorganization.
           House Bill 5175 would amend the Children of Veterans Tuition Grant Act to remove a
           prohibition on an individual who was convicted of a felony involving an assault, physical
           injury, or death being eligible for a grant under the program created in the act.
           MCL 390.1342 and 390.1344
           House Bill 5176 would amend 1964 PA 208, which provides for competitive scholarships
           based on academic standards, to remove a prohibition on an incarcerated individual being
           eligible for the award of a first-year scholarship.
           MCL 390.972 and 390.974
           House Bill 5177 would amend 1966 PA 313, which provides for tuition grants for students
           enrolled in Michigan’s independent nonprofit college and universities, to remove a
           prohibition on incarcerated individuals being eligible for aid under the program.
           MCL 390.992 and 390.993
1
    http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-12-194
House Fiscal Agency                                                                         Page 1 of 2
FISCAL IMPACT:
       House Bill 5175 would increase costs by a slight yet indeterminate amount due to
       elimination of the felony restriction on the Children of Veterans Tuition Grant program.
       For FY 2021-22, the most recent year with full data, 404 students were awarded program
       funding. While the number of potential students who would become newly eligible with
       the proposed change is not known, student estimates would be on the lower end of the
       spectrum. As an example, 20 additional students would result in a program cost of
       approximately $56,000, which would be within the program’s current appropriation levels.
       Children of Veterans Tuition Grants have a $2,800 award level for FY 2023-24.
       House Bill 5176 would increase costs for the Michigan Competitive Scholarship by an
       indeterminate amount. With the elimination of the incarceration restriction, more potential
       students would have access to the Michigan Competitive Scholarship program if they met
       all other program requirements and were enrolled in an eligible higher education degree
       program. Due to the nature of the variables involved, it is difficult to estimate the number
       of incarcerated individuals who meet the scholarship requirement and would enroll in a
       higher education program. Competitive Scholarships have a $1,500 award level for FY
       2023-24.
       House Bill 5177 would increase costs for the Tuition Grant program by an indeterminate
       amount. More potential students would be eligible for the Tuition Grant program with the
       elimination of the incarceration restriction. However, those students would also have to
       meet all other program requirements and be enrolled in an eligible independent higher
       education degree program. Due to the nature of the variables involved, it is difficult to
       estimate the number of incarcerated individuals who meet the scholarship requirement and
       would enroll in a higher education program. Tuition Grants have a $3,000 award level for
       FY 2023-24.
                                                         Legislative Analyst: Josh Roesner
                                                              Fiscal Analyst: Perry Zielak
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their
deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
House Fiscal Agency                                   HBs 5175, 5176, and 5177 as introduced   Page 2 of 2
Statutes affected: 
House Introduced Bill: 390.1342, 390.1344