HOUSE BILL NO. 3020 Offered January 10, 2007 Prefiled January 10, 2007 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 23 a chapter numbered 4.02, consisting of sections numbered 23-38.10:8 through 23-38.10:10, relating to the Foster Care Scholarship Program. ---------- Patron-- Ward ---------- Committee Referral Pending ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Title 23 a chapter numbered 4.02, consisting of sections numbered 23-38.10:8 through 23-38.10:10 as follows:

CHAPTER 4.02.

FOSTER CARE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

§ 23-38.10:8. Foster Care Scholarship Program created; State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to promulgate regulations.

There is hereby created the Foster Care Scholarship Program to provide scholarships for eligible students who are aging out of the foster care system. Funds may be paid to any public or private Virginia community college, college, or university on behalf of students who have been awarded such scholarships pursuant to § 23-38.10:10. The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia shall promulgate regulations for the implementation of the provisions of this chapter and the disbursement of funds consistent therewith and appropriate to the administration of the program.

§ 23-38.10:9. Foster Care Scholarship Fund created.

From such funds as may be appropriated for this purpose and from such gifts, grants, donations, bequests, and other funds as may be received on its behalf, there is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Foster Care Scholarship Fund, hereafter referred to as "the Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Funds may be paid to any public or private Virginia community college, college, or university on behalf of students who have been awarded such scholarships pursuant to § 23-38.10:10. The first such scholarships shall be awarded after July 1, 2007.

Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

§ 23-38.10:10. Eligible students; criteria for award of scholarships.

A. Only students who (i) are domiciled residents of Virginia as defined in § 23-7.4, (ii) were recipients of foster care services pursuant to Chapter 9 (§ 63.2-900 et seq.) of Title 63.2 at the time of their graduation from high school, (iii) graduated from a public or private high school with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a scale of 4.0, and (iv) exhibit good citizenship, as defined by regulation, shall be eligible to receive such scholarships.

B. The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia shall determine the amount of such scholarships, based upon funds available.

C. Scholarships shall be for one year and may be renewed.