The bill seeks to establish the High School Dual Enrollment Accessibility Act by amending sections of the Code of West Virginia to modify eligibility requirements for several grant programs, including the West Virginia Invests Grant Program, the Higher Education Grant Program, and the HEAPS grant program. It allows high school students in the 11th or 12th grade to qualify for grants without needing a high school diploma or equivalent, provided they meet specific criteria such as being in good academic standing and accepted into an approved institution for dual enrollment. The bill also requires the Higher Education Policy Commission to propose rules for implementing these changes in coordination with the State Board of Education and county boards.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the eligibility criteria for the WV Invests Grant by removing the age requirement for applicants under 18 who have completed a secondary education program and allowing dual-enrollment students to have a lower credit load per term. It mandates that recipients of the WV Invests Grant enter into an agreement with the vice chancellor for administration, which includes a repayment obligation if they reside outside the state within two years of obtaining their degree or certificate. The bill outlines the terms of this agreement, including conditions for proration of repayment for those who maintain employment in the state and exceptions for individuals unable to comply due to specific circumstances.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18C-5-5, 18C-5-7, 18C-9-5