1 Higher Education Commission. Amend RSA 21-N:8-a, II(e)(10) to read as follows:

(10) Administer all aspects of the John and Molly Stark workforce opportunity program established in RSA 21-N:8-c.

(11) Assume other responsibilities as may be provided in state or federal law.

2 New Section; John and Molly Stark Workforce Opportunity Program. Amend RSA 21-N by inserting after section 8-b the following new section:

21-N:8-c John and Molly Stark Workforce Opportunity Program Established.

I. There is hereby established the John and Molly Stark workforce opportunity program which shall be administered by the higher education commission. The purpose of this program is to provide support for public postsecondary education opportunities to New Hampshire residents who are graduates of any public or private secondary school authorized to operate in New Hampshire, which shall include chartered public schools, home educated students, and students who have received a high school equivalency certificate, by providing a scholarship equivalent to the unmet financial need for each recipient each year. All funds received pursuant to this section shall be nonlapsing and continually appropriated to the higher education commission for the purposes of this program.

II. A student who is interested in pursuing education at any institution in the community college system of New Hampshire shall be eligible to apply for the program. An eligible student shall submit an application to the higher education commission, on a form developed by the commission.

III. Applicants who are selected to participate in this program shall maintain satisfactory academic progress, as defined by the institution, and meet such other criteria as may be established in this section. An applicant selected shall receive a scholarship equivalent to his or her unmet need each year for a maximum of 2 years. In this section, "unmet need" is the difference between the expected cost of tuition and fees less any grant aid and scholarships received by the student.

IV. All funds in the John and Molly Stark workforce opportunity fund established in this section shall be used annually to provide scholarships under this program.

V. There is hereby established in the office of the state treasurer a fund to be known as the John and Molly Stark workforce opportunity fund. The fund shall include any sums appropriated for such purpose. In addition, the higher education commission may accept public sector and private grants, gifts, or donations of any kind for the purpose of funding this program. All funds received from gifts, grants, or donations from private sources shall be eligible for state matching funds, to the extent of available funds. The moneys in this fund shall be nonlapsing and shall be continually appropriated to the higher education commission. The fund shall be expended by the higher education commission to award scholarships to selected students in accordance with this section. The state treasurer may invest moneys in the fund as provided by law, with interest received on such investment credited to the fund.

VI. The higher education commission shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to the following:

(a) Instituting a scholarship application process, including necessary forms and deadlines.

(b) Establishing academic and other standards by which scholarships shall be awarded.

(c) Establishing priorities in awarding scholarships where the funds available for scholarships are less than the amount needed for eligible applicants.

(d) Establishing procedures for awarding and disbursing scholarships.

3 New Subparagraph; Application of Receipts; John and Molly Stark Workforce Opportunity Fund. Amend RSA 6:12, I(b) by inserting after subparagraph (333) the following new subparagraph:

(334) Moneys deposited in the John and Molly Stark workforce opportunity fund established in RSA 21-N:8-c.

4 Appropriation. The sum of $500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018 and the sum of $500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019 are hereby appropriated to the higher education commission for the purposes of the John and Molly Stark workforce opportunity program established in RSA 21-N:8-c. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sums out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2017.

1 Higher Education Commission. Amend RSA 21-N:8-a, II(e)(10) to read as follows:

(10) Administer all aspects of the John and Molly Stark workforce opportunity program established in RSA 21-N:8-c.

(11) Assume other responsibilities as may be provided in state or federal law.

2 New Section; John and Molly Stark Workforce Opportunity Program. Amend RSA 21-N by inserting after section 8-b the following new section:

21-N:8-c John and Molly Stark Workforce Opportunity Program Established.

I. There is hereby established the John and Molly Stark workforce opportunity program which shall be administered by the higher education commission. The purpose of this program is to provide support for public postsecondary education opportunities to New Hampshire residents who are graduates of any public or private secondary school authorized to operate in New Hampshire, which shall include chartered public schools, home educated students, and students who have received a high school equivalency certificate, by providing a scholarship equivalent to the unmet financial need for each recipient each year. All funds received pursuant to this section shall be nonlapsing and continually appropriated to the higher education commission for the purposes of this program.

II. A student who is interested in pursuing education at any institution in the community college system of New Hampshire shall be eligible to apply for the program. An eligible student shall submit an application to the higher education commission, on a form developed by the commission.

III. Applicants who are selected to participate in this program shall maintain satisfactory academic progress, as defined by the institution, and meet such other criteria as may be established in this section. An applicant selected shall receive a scholarship equivalent to his or her unmet need each year for a maximum of 2 years. In this section, "unmet need" is the difference between the expected cost of tuition and fees less any grant aid and scholarships received by the student.

IV. All funds in the John and Molly Stark workforce opportunity fund established in this section shall be used annually to provide scholarships under this program.

V. There is hereby established in the office of the state treasurer a fund to be known as the John and Molly Stark workforce opportunity fund. The fund shall include any sums appropriated for such purpose. In addition, the higher education commission may accept public sector and private grants, gifts, or donations of any kind for the purpose of funding this program. All funds received from gifts, grants, or donations from private sources shall be eligible for state matching funds, to the extent of available funds. The moneys in this fund shall be nonlapsing and shall be continually appropriated to the higher education commission. The fund shall be expended by the higher education commission to award scholarships to selected students in accordance with this section. The state treasurer may invest moneys in the fund as provided by law, with interest received on such investment credited to the fund.

VI. The higher education commission shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to the following:

(a) Instituting a scholarship application process, including necessary forms and deadlines.

(b) Establishing academic and other standards by which scholarships shall be awarded.

(c) Establishing priorities in awarding scholarships where the funds available for scholarships are less than the amount needed for eligible applicants.

(d) Establishing procedures for awarding and disbursing scholarships.

3 New Subparagraph; Application of Receipts; John and Molly Stark Workforce Opportunity Fund. Amend RSA 6:12, I(b) by inserting after subparagraph (333) the following new subparagraph:

(334) Moneys deposited in the John and Molly Stark workforce opportunity fund established in RSA 21-N:8-c.

4 Appropriation. The sum of $500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018 and the sum of $500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019 are hereby appropriated to the higher education commission for the purposes of the John and Molly Stark workforce opportunity program established in RSA 21-N:8-c. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sums out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.

5 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2017.