Alaska lawmakers recently approved House Bill 148, which aims to increase eligibility and the maximum award amount for the Alaska Performance Scholarship program. The bill comes as the percentage of eligible high school graduates has decreased in recent years, prompting the need for reform.
Under the new legislation, students will only need a high GPA or test score to qualify, not both. This change is expected to make the scholarship more accessible for students like Joe Pavia-Jones, who was able to attend the University of Alaska Anchorage thanks to the scholarship.
The bill also seeks to increase awareness about the program among high schoolers and expand the scholarship to include career and technical schools. Additionally, changes to the funding for the Head Start program, which provides child care and education for low-income families, are included in the bill.
The Senate and House both voted overwhelmingly in favor of the bill, with only one nay vote. Now, the bill awaits action from Governor Mike Dunleavy.
Overall, the bill is seen as crucial for the future of Alaska, as it aims to keep high-achieving students in the state and address population decline. With these changes, the hope is that more students will choose to pursue higher education or technical training within Alaska, ultimately benefiting the state in the long run.
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Photo credit alaskabeacon.com