Rep. Joe Smith Supports Equalization of Access Missouri Scholarships

Jefferson City – The Missouri House of Represetatives gave final approval Wednesday to a bill that would change higher education scholarships for Missouri students. SB 733, handled in the House by Rep. Gayle Kingery R-Poplar Bluff, was passed by a vote of 149-5. Rep. Joe Smith, R-St. Charles, spoke in favor of the bill on the House floor.

“It’s been a really tough road to come up with some kind of compromise between all of the universities,” Rep. Smith said. “I think we did an outstanding job here.”

The bill would affect both the Access Missouri and Bright Flight scholarship programs. First, the bill deals with the discrepancy between scholarship money available to private and public school students through the Access Missouri program. Under current law, students who choose to attend private schools are eligible to receive $4,600 in Access Missouri scholarships, while those who attend public schools can only receive $2,150. SB 733 would provide any student attending a four-year higher education institution with a maximum of $2,850. These changes would go into effect during the 2014-2015 academic year.

SB 733 would also modify the Bright Flight scholarship program. Most significantly, SB 733 would ensure that the top three percent of Missouri ACT or SAT test-takers will receive $1,000 awards prior to any student in the top fourth or fifth percent receiving an award. If funding is sufficient after these scholarships are awarded, students ranking in the top fourth or fifth percent may receive $1,000 awards as well. In addition, the bill addresses students who elect to join the armed forces. These students who qualify for a Bright Flight scholarship may defer their award and receive it at a later date, as long as they return to full-time student status within six months of the end of their military service.