08
SB480/AP
Senate
Bill 480
By:
Senators Williams of the 19th, Fort of the 39th, Tate of the 38th and Reed of
the 35th
AS
PASSED
AN
ACT
To
amend Article 7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to scholarships, loans, and grants, so as to change certain
definitions; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Article
7 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to scholarships, loans, and grants, is amended by revising subparagraph (A) of
paragraph (2) of Code Section 20-3-411, relating to definitions relative to
tuition equalization grants at private colleges and universities, as
follows:
"(A)
A nonproprietary institution of higher education located in this state which is
not a branch of the university system; which is accredited by the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools; which is not a graduate level school or
college of theology or divinity; and which is not presently receiving state
funds under Article 4 of this chapter; provided, however, that an institution
which otherwise meets the requirements of this definition and of this subpart
except for the lack of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and
Schools shall be deemed to be an 'approved school' during the period that the
institution holds candidate for accreditation status with the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools; provided, further, that an institution
which was previously accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and
Schools within the last seven years and which otherwise meets the requirements
of this definition and of this subpart except for the lack of accreditation by
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools shall be deemed to be an
'approved school';"
SECTION
2.
Said
article is further amended by revising paragraph (6) of Code Section 20-3-519,
relating to definitions relative to HOPE scholarships and grants, as
follows:
"(6)
'Eligible high school', until December 31, 2010, means a public or private
secondary school which is:
(A)
Located in Georgia and is currently or within the last two years has been
accredited by:
(i)
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools;
(ii)
The Georgia Accrediting Commission;
(iii)
The Georgia Association of Christian Schools;
(iv)
The Association of Christian Schools International;
(v)
The Georgia Private School Accreditation Council; or
(vi)
The Southern Association of Independent Schools; or
(B)
Located in another state and accredited by one of the following regional
agencies:
(i)
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools;
(ii)
The New England Association of Schools and Colleges;
(iii)
The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools;
(iv)
The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools;
(v)
The Northwestern Association of Schools and Colleges;
(vi)
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges;
(vii)
The Alabama Independent School Association; or
(viii)
The Southern Association of Independent Schools.
On
and after January 1, 2011, 'eligible high school' means a public or private
secondary school which is:
(A)
Located in Georgia and accredited as such by:
(i)
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools;
(ii)
The Georgia Accrediting Commission;
(iii)
The Georgia Association of Christian Schools;
(iv)
The Association of Christian Schools International;
(v)
The Georgia Private School Accreditation Council;
(vi)
The Accrediting Commission for Independent Study; or
(vii)
The Southern Association of Independent Schools; or
(B)
Located in another state and accredited by one of the following regional
agencies:
(i)
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools;
(ii)
The New England Association of Schools and Colleges;
(iii)
The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools;
(iv)
The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools;
(v)
The Northwestern Association of Schools and Colleges;
(vi)
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges;
(vii)
The Alabama Independent School Association; or
(viii)
The Southern Association of Independent Schools."
SECTION
3.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.