SB 221 Summary

• Establishes the Alaska Merit Scholarship Program to provide scholarships to Alaska resident high school graduates attending qualified postsecondary institutions in-state, with three award levels ranging from $2,378 to $4,755 annually based on GPA and college entrance exam scores.

• Requires school districts to determine scholarship eligibility for graduating students and record the highest funding level in student permanent records.

• Increases maximum annual grants under the AlaskAdvantage education grant program from $2,000 to $3,000 and total grant cap from $8,000 to $12,000.

• Creates a Joint Legislative Higher Education Scholarship Funding Task Force with 15 members to examine higher education costs and financial aid approaches, with findings due by December 1, 2010, terminating January 1, 2011.

• Establishes a permanent Advisory Task Force on Higher Education and Career Readiness with 20 members to compile data and advise the legislature on college and career readiness, with recommendations due by April 1, 2011.