MO HB1279

Expands A+ Schools Program scholarships to graduates of both public and private secondary schools that meet program requirements, previously limited to public schools only.

Establishes specific student eligibility criteria including minimum 2.5 GPA, 50 hours of tutoring/mentoring, 95% attendance record for grades 9-12, and good citizenship with avoidance of unlawful drug and alcohol use.

Makes scholarships available for four years after high school graduation to cover tuition, fees, and up to 50% of book costs at Missouri public community colleges, vocational/technical schools, and accredited two-year private vocational/technical schools.

Requires students to maintain 2.5 GPA and good citizenship during college enrollment and exhaust all other available financial aid before receiving scholarship funds.

Changes program language from "grant awards" to "scholarships" and eliminates the prohibition on schools offering a general track diploma program.