H1105 - Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0. (SL 2020-97)

Overview: Sec. 3.3 of S.L. 2020-97 makes several changes to the Opportunity Scholarship Grant Program (Program).

Remove Cap on K-1 Grade Funds – This section removes the cap on the amount of funds that can be used to award scholarship grants to eligible students entering kindergarten or first grade. For the 2020-2021 school year, from the funds that are made available by the removal of the restriction, the State Education Assistance Authority must award scholarship grants for the 2020 fall semester to provide alternative educational options during the COVID-19 pandemic, to eligible students who had applied for the scholarship grants for the 2020-2021 school year but had not been awarded scholarship grants as of September 4, 2020.

Change to Income Eligibility Threshold – This section also requires that a student eligible for the Program must reside in a household with an income level not in excess of 150% of the amount required for the student to qualify for the federal free or reduced-price lunch program.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This section became effective September 4, 2020. The removal of the cap on K-1 grade funds applies beginning with applications for scholarship grants for the 2020-2021 school year. The income eligibility change applies beginning with applications for scholarship grants for the spring semester of the 2020-2021 school year.