The bill proposes to amend Chapter 16-70 of the General Laws, changing the name of "The College Crusade Scholarship" to "The Onward We Learn Scholarship Act." It includes the deletion of the previous title and the insertion of the new title throughout the chapter. The bill also redefines the program's support structure, with the council on postsecondary education being responsible for preparing and presenting a line-item budget specifically designated for the Onward We Learn scholarship program. Additionally, the bill outlines the powers and duties of the council, including the designation of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to administer the program and manage scholarship resources associated with the federal GEAR UP program.

The bill further stipulates that the General Assembly will annually appropriate funds for the program, including operational and scholarship support. It mandates that the Onward We Learn scholarship program complete an annual audit, with audit reports furnished to the auditor general and the director of administration. New sections are added to ensure that scholarships received from the Onward We Learn program are not considered federal or financial aid in conjunction with other Rhode Island scholarship programs. The bill also requires Local Education Agencies to provide the program with individual-level access to student information systems and data related to college readiness metrics. The act would take effect upon passage.