New Century Scholarship wins long-term backing

Students who make the cut for a New Century Scholarship would be guaranteed one, for years to come, under legislation unveiled Wednesday.

But the value of the scholarship could vary, based on the availability of funding.

Attempts this year by the cash-strapped State Board of Regents to reduce scholarships provoked outrage among parents and students who were banking on the money. After an outpouring of angry phone calls and e-mails, lawmakers restored funding for this school year.

But with no relief in sight from budget cuts, Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper, said "tough" choices must be made in order to preserve the popular state scholarship program.

Students and parents objected to "changing the rules" mid-game, said Hughes. "But now we're defining the rules in advance, so people can plan."

Under his bill, funding for New Century would hinge on "future budget constraints." And if there's not enough money to go around, the State Board of Regents would be free to cut the scholarship amount.

To earn New Century Scholarships, students have to earn associate's degrees while still in high school and maintain a 3.0 grade point average. Their reward: a two-year scholarship at a four-year university.

Lawmakers already limited awards to no more than $5,000 a year starting in 2011.

Other changes under the new bill would go into effect starting 2012. It would require students to enroll in college immediately after

high school. And the measure dictates that a student must complete the associate's degree on graduation day.

"Right now it's mushy. Some are completing the courses a week before they start college," said the bill's co-sponsor, Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem.

To better gauge demand for scholarships, Regents already have set an earlier deadline for applications.

No vote was taken at Wednesday's Education Interim Committee, though the bill appears to have widespread support.

One controversial provision, though, would remove private schools, such as Brigham Young University and Westminster College, from the list of four-year institutions that New Century students can attend.

"Why limit it to state institutions? With that philosophy we're basically saying we'll give the scholarships to those students who already get a tax-related benefit by going to tax-subsidized higher education institutions," said Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper. If the intent of the scholarship is to save taxpayer dollars by moving students through college more quickly, "maybe we should give preference to [private universities] and low-priced leaders in the state, like community colleges," he argued.

Valentine said he looked at that, but "everyone would suspect the political motivations of driving it that way if it came from this particular sponsor since Utah Valley University is the low-priced leader and BYU is the largest private institution that presently uses these scholarships." Both universities are within Valentine's district.

Anne Bird, a South Jordan mother of two New Century students, wants private schools retained as an option.

"Our kids only want to go to BYU," she said. And while she understands the need to pare expenses, she said lawmakers need to commit to funding the scholarships, even if it means smaller amounts.

"Either that or make it competitive and award scholarships only to those students with the highest GPAs," said Bird. "Something that the kids can control."