CHARLESTON — The House Education Committee continued its work on the so-called “free community college bill,” on Thursday, approving one amendment and knocking down several others. Work will resume Friday morning,
Thursday’s focus was on the second part of the bill, which is the free community college or last-dollar-in part. It establishes the WV Invests Grants Program.
Eligible students can apply for grants to supplement their other financial aid to pursue an associate degree or certificate at a community or technical college or a four-year school that offers appropriate associate degree programs. The grant money goes to the school, not to the student.
Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents and have been a West Virginia resident for a year. They must have completed secondary education in a public, private or home school but have no post-secondary degree.
An applicant must be enrolled for at least six credit hours, participate in a community service program, and must remain in the state for two years following obtainment of the degree or certificate. A student who moves away within that window must repay all or part of the grant.
The Education version specifies that a grant may not exceed the average cost of tuition and fees at community and technical colleges: $4,040.
The Education version also requires the Department of Commerce to develop a hierarchy of high demand skilled professions and workforce needs with shortages. Eligible programs are those that offer courses to satisfy those workforce needs.
The successful amendment came from Delegate John Doyle, D-Jefferson, who proposed to include eligible course offerings at every four year institution, including private nonprofit schools.
Speaking for a number of the regional four-years, Concord University President Kendra Boggess told the members, “We believe in workforce preparation.” But the regionals gave up their two-year associate programs to the community colleges and this bill will drain off their student populations.
Concord could even lose students to nearby Bluefield State, she said, which offers bachelor’s and associate degrees.
Delegate Steve Westfall, R-Jackson, pointed out that adding four year schools with associate programs to the original bill, which included only community and technical colleges, increased the fiscal note from $7.5 million to about $9.9 million. “This will blow the bill clear out of the water.”
Also, he said, the bill is aimed at people who leave high school and take jobs at Walmart and McDonald’s, not those seeking bachelor’s degrees.
Other opponents feared that the amendment might kill the bill on the House floor or back in the Senate.
Supporters said Doyle’s amendment may increase the state’s cost some unknown amount, but it will get more people educated and staying here. “We are sitting here worrying about sending too many people to college,” said Delegate Ed Evans, D-McDowell.
The amendment passed in a show of hands, 13-10.
Delegate Jim Butler, R-Mason, has offered a series of amendments. Members took up and shot down three of them on Thursday. Among them was one to offer grants only to those who receive federal aid, so that the state doesn’t have to pay the entire $4,040 for too many students.
Another would have eliminated the pro-rated payback for those who leave the state before two years. Butler felt it should be all or nothing.
The meeting had to adjourn at that point for the Thursday afternoon House floor session.
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