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The Nevada State Senate is getting ready to gavel in for the 3rd day of the 2020 special legislative session. This is now the 18th longest special session (out of 31) in state history. (There's been a lot of 1 or 2 day special sessions) #nvleg
We're starting off with a presentation on SB2, which would allow the NSHE Board of Regents to change eligibility requirements of the Millennium Scholarship (merit-based college scholarships for NV high school students going to school in-state) #nvleg
The bill does not get into what changes would actually be made to scholarship eligibility, just that it would apply during the COVID-19 pandemic and would authorize Board of Regents to make changes. Bill text here: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/31st2020Special/Bill/7121/Overview
NSHE administrator Crystal Abbot is giving some more details as why bill is being requested:
- Would affect about 2,200 students who lost scholarship eligibility in Spring 2020 semester.
- Details finalized at Regents meeting on Aug. 7
- Would affect about 2,200 students who lost scholarship eligibility in Spring 2020 semester.
- Details finalized at Regents meeting on Aug. 7
Crystal Abba*
If all 2,200 students who lost Millennium Scholarship eligibility apply for COVID-waiver to continue getting scholarship, high-end cost estimate is between $2.1 - $2.6 million, assuming all students attend university/state college.
Cost won't all come at once -- essential, it just ensure Millennium eligibility for 6 year period (Set in state law). Abba says current plan is to allow students to fill out waiver through calendar year
. @Pickard4Nevada asks a series of questions if NSHE is collecting data/can show that Millennium Scholarship recipients were disproportionately affected by shutdowns/COVID. Suggests issuing blanket waiver/not requiring students to fill out form to continue eligibility
Abba: I'm hearing very clearly a preference to eliminate the form, which we can easily do.
Treasurer @ZConine answers question from @rattijulia regarding impact on Millennium Scholarship Trust Fund.
A: Between this/fund sweep to fill budget, Millennium Scholarship fund will be empty at end of fiscal year. Funding for program is "insolvent" long term #nvleg
A: Between this/fund sweep to fill budget, Millennium Scholarship fund will be empty at end of fiscal year. Funding for program is "insolvent" long term #nvleg
(The governor's proposed budget takes $2 million out of the fund's reserve budget account, so this assumes the remaining reserves would be taken up through this waiver program).
