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SCS/SB 733 – This act makes changes to the Bright Flight Scholarship Program. It specifies that a student must be a Missouri resident in order to be eligible for a scholarship. In addition, it expands scholarship eligibility to individuals who have received a General Education Development diploma (GED) or who have completed a homeschooling program of study. The qualifying score necessary for a student to receive a scholarship will be determined at the beginning of an eligible student's final year of secondary coursework. Current law provides that in fiscal year 2011 and beyond, a student scoring in the top fourth and fifth percent of Missouri ACT or SAT test-takers will receive a $1000 scholarship. This act provides that all students in the top three percent of Missouri ACT or SAT test-takers will receive awards prior to any student in the top fourth or fifth percent receiving an award. If sufficient funds are appropriated, each eligible student with a qualifying score in the top fourth or fifth percentile will be offered a $1000 scholarship award. Current law allows a student to receive a renewal scholarship for the second, third, and fourth academic years. This act allows a student to renew the scholarship for as long as the student is in compliance with the renewal requirements described in the act. If a scholarship recipient cannot attend an approved institution because of military service with the United States Armed Forces, the student will receive the scholarship if he or she returns to full-time status within six months after ending military service. The student must verify to the Coordinating Board for Higher Education that the military service was satisfactorily completed. This act is substantially similar to SB 40 (2009), and is similar to provisions contained in SS/SCS/SB 558 (2009) and SB 984 (2008). MICHAEL RUFF
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