SPONSOR: Shields
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development by a vote of 13 to 1.
Beginning in the 2025-26 academic year, this bill specifies an increase for eligible recipients of the Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program.
For public two-year institutions the maximum increases by $400 to $1700 and the minimum by $200 to $500.
For public four-year institutions and the State Technical College, and approved private and virtual institutions, the maximum increases by $700 to $3500 and the minimum by $250 to $1750.
The bill replaces the phrase "expected family contribution" with "student aid index" which is the amount of money a student and family should pay to the cost of postsecondary education as calculated by the US Department of Education.
This bill is similar to HB 2326 (2024).
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this financial aid is important for many young people from lower incomes. The amount hasn't been increased for many years and is no longer sufficient to cover the costs for students.
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Shields; Missouri Community College Association; Independent Colleges and Universities of Missouri; and Missouri National Education Association.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition presented in person.
Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: