The proposed bill, SB1723, establishes the Community College Opportunity Grant Fund to provide financial assistance to eligible students enrolled in Arizona tribal colleges and community colleges. It appropriates $5 million from the state General Fund for fiscal years 2025, 2026, and 2027, totaling $15 million. The bill mandates that starting August 1, 2024, community college district governing boards and tribal colleges must award opportunity grants to eligible students, which can be used for tuition and approved educational fees for up to 18 credit hours per year.

Key changes from current law include the creation of the new grant fund, the specific eligibility criteria for students (such as income limits and GPA requirements), and the stipulation that grants must be funded from this new fund. Additionally, the bill outlines the types of fees that can be covered by the grants and establishes a process for distributing funds based on tuition costs minus other financial aid. The bill also allows for proration of grants if the fund's resources are insufficient in any fiscal year.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-1454