SB 844 Summary

• Establishes the Office of Higher Education to administer student financial assistance and higher education programs, removing it from administrative oversight of the Board of Regents for Higher Education.

• Creates the Governor's Scholarship program effective July 1, 2013, consolidating multiple existing scholarship programs (Capitol Scholarship, Connecticut Aid to Public College Students, and Independent College Student Grant) into a single need and merit-based grant system for undergraduate students at public and independent institutions.

• Transfers authority over student financial aid policy from the Board of Regents to the Office of Higher Education, while the Board retains responsibility for tuition, fee policies, and institutional oversight.

• Repeals multiple sections of statute related to previous scholarship programs (sections 10a-36 through 10a-42a, 10a-169, 10a-170 through 10a-170m, and others) effective July 1, 2013.

• Removes state-wide student financial aid policy establishment as a Board of Regents responsibility and eliminates the advisory committee on student financial assistance matters.