2016 Utah Code
Title 35A - Utah Workforce Services Code
Chapter 3 - Employment Support Act
Part-2 4 - Intergenerational Poverty School Readiness Scholarship Eligibility
Section 401 - Eligibility determination -- Awarding of scholarship.

Effective 5/10/2016
35A-9-401. Eligibility determination -- Awarding of scholarship.

• (1) As used in this section:
  • (a) "Eligible child" means an individual who:
    • (i) is experiencing intergenerational poverty;
    • (ii) will be four years of age on or before September 2 of the school year in which the individual intends to enroll in a school readiness program; and
    • (iii) has not enrolled in kindergarten, as reported by the individual's parent or legal guardian.
  • (b) "Intergenerational poverty" means the same as that term is defined in Section 35A-9-102.
  • (c) "Intergenerational poverty scholarship" or "IGP scholarship" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53A-1b-202.

• (2) The department shall determine if an applicant for an IGP scholarship is eligible for the Intergenerational Poverty School Readiness Scholarship Program, created in Section 53A-1b-206.

• (3) An individual may apply to the department annually to qualify for a scholarship for an eligible child to attend a high quality school readiness program.

• (4)
  • (a) The department shall create an application form that requires an applicant to provide the information necessary for the department to make the eligibility determination described in Subsection (5).
  • (b) The department may:
    • (i) require an applicant to submit supporting documentation; and
    • (ii) create a deadline for an applicant to apply for an IGP scholarship.

• (5) The department shall determine if:
  • (a) the information contained in an application submitted under Subsection (3) is accurate and complete; and
  • (b) the child for whom the applicant is applying for an IGP scholarship is an eligible child.

• (6)
  • (a) Except as provided in Subsection (6)(b), and subject to legislative appropriations, the department shall:
    • (i) award an IGP scholarship for an individual who is determined to be an eligible child under Subsection (5); and
    • (ii) with input from the State Board of Education, determine the value of an IGP scholarship.
  • (b) If the department receives an appropriation for IGP scholarships that is not sufficient to award a scholarship to each eligible child, the department shall prioritize awarding IGP scholarships to eligible children who are at the highest risk as determined by the department.

• (7) The department shall coordinate with the State Board of Education, as necessary, to enroll a recipient of an IGP scholarship in a high quality school readiness program of the recipient's parent's choice, space permitting, as described in Section 53A-1b-206.

• (8) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the department shall make rules to administer this section.

Enacted by Chapter 336, 2016 General Session