19.0294.02000
Sixty-sixth
Legislative Assembly SENATE BILL NO. 2039
of North Dakota
Introduced by
Legislative Management
(Taxation Committee)
1 A BILL for an Act to create and enact two new sections to chapter 6-09 of the North Dakota
2 Century Code, relating to the development and implementation of a skilled workforce
3 scholarship program; to provide a continuing appropriation; and to provide for a transfer.
4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
5 SECTION 1. A new section to chapter 6-09 of the North Dakota Century Code is created
6 and enacted as follows:
7 Skilled workforce scholarship program - Development and implementation.
8 1. The Bank of North Dakota shall adopt rules to develop, implement, promote, and
9 administer a skilled workforce scholarship program in conjunction with the North
10 Dakota university system and the workforce education advisory council with the intent
11 of attracting and retaining students for professional or technical skills in high demand
12 in this state.
13 2. The North Dakota university system and the workforce education advisory council
14 shall compile a list of qualifying educational programs by August first of each year.
15 Qualifying educational programs must be able to be completed within four semesters
16 or eight quarters and pertain to the technical skills in high demand in this state.
17 3. Individuals enrolled in a qualifying educational program in this state may apply for a
18 scholarship under this section.
19 4. Scholarships must be provided in the form of a grant administered by the Bank of
20 North Dakota. Each quarter or semester the Bank of North Dakota shall forward the
21 amount of the scholarships payable under this section directly to the institution in
22 which the student is enrolled. The amount of the scholarship is equal to the amount
23 charged each quarter or semester by the educational institution at which the student is
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1 enrolled for the tuition, fees, books, and supplies required for the qualifying
2 educational program.
3 5. The scholarships provided under this section are conditioned on the student
4 maintaining a 2.5 cumulative grade point average, based on a 4.0 grading system. A
5 student is not entitled to receive scholarships under this section for more than the
6 equivalent of four semesters of full-time enrollment or eight quarters of full-time
7 enrollment. A graduate who received a scholarship under this section shall remain and
8 work in this state for a minimum of three years following degree or certificate
9 completion.
10 6. An individual is subject to the repayment provisions provided in the individual's
11 scholarship award agreement if the individual fails to maintain a 2.5 cumulative grade
12 point average while enrolled, discontinues attendance before the completion of any
13 semester or quarter for which a scholarship has been received, or fails to remain and
14 work in this state for at least three years following degree or certificate completion.
15 7. The skilled workforce scholarship program must be a joint public and private effort.
16 The Bank of North Dakota shall provide one dollar of funding for each one dollar of
17 funding raised from the private sector. The Bank of North Dakota shall provide no
18 more than ten million dollars per biennium for the purpose of funding the skilled
19 workforce scholarship program fund.
20 8. The scholarship, which is intended to assist the student in meeting attendance costs,
21 must be designed to supplement any other financial aid received by a student.
22 SECTION 2. A new section to chapter 6-09 of the North Dakota Century Code is created
23 and enacted as follows:
24 Skilled workforce scholarship program fund established - Continuing appropriation.
25 The skilled workforce scholarship program fund is established and is a revolving fund, and
26 all moneys transferred into the fund, interest upon fund moneys, and payments to the fund are
27 appropriated for the purposes of section 1 of this Act. This fund is not subject to section
28 54-44.1-11.
29 SECTION 3. TRANSFER - BANK OF NORTH DAKOTA - SKILLED WORKFORCE
30 SCHOLARSHIP FUND. The Bank of North Dakota shall transfer the sum of $10,000,000, or so
31 much of the sum as may be necessary, from the Bank's current earnings and undivided profits
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1 to the skilled workforce scholarship fund during the biennium beginning July 1, 2019, and
2 ending June 30, 2021.
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