CT HB05135

Expands the Roberta B. Willis Scholarship program to include students at private occupational schools beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023.

Adds definition of "private occupational school" to the scholarship program and includes these schools in the need and merit-based grant and need-based grant components.

Allocates amounts to private occupational schools as determined by the Office of Higher Education, with each school making awards to eligible students pursuant to guidelines developed by the office.

Requires private occupational schools to submit annual data and reports to the Office of Higher Education on Connecticut students who applied for financial aid, with penalties for non-compliance including program ineligibility.

Mandates that private occupational schools participating in the program submit audit results from independent certified public accountants biennially beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.