Sec. 251.

(1) Payments of the amounts included in section 236 for the state competitive scholarship program shall be distributed pursuant to 1964 PA 208, MCL 390.971 to 390.981.

(2) Pursuant to section 6 of 1964 PA 208, MCL 390.976, the department of treasury shall determine an actual maximum state competitive scholarship award per student, which shall be not less than $1,000.00, that ensures that the aggregate payments for the state competitive scholarship program do not exceed the appropriation contained in section 236 for the state competitive scholarship program. If the department determines that insufficient funds are available to establish a maximum award amount equal to at least $1,000.00, the department shall immediately report to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on higher education, the house and senate fiscal agencies, and the state budget director regarding the estimated amount of additional funds necessary to establish a $1,000.00 maximum award amount.

(3) The department of treasury shall implement a proportional competitive scholarship maximum award level for recipients enrolled less than full-time in a given semester or term.

(4) If a student who receives an award under this section has his or her tuition and fees paid under the Michigan educational trust program, pursuant to the Michigan education trust act, 1986 PA 316, MCL 390.1421 to 390.1442, and still has financial need, the funds awarded under this section may be used for educational expenses other than tuition and fees.

(5) If the department of treasury increases the maximum award per eligible student from that provided in the previous fiscal year, it shall not have the effect of reducing the number of eligible students receiving awards in relation to the total number of eligible applicants. Any increase in the maximum grant shall be proportional for all eligible students receiving awards.

(6) Veterans Administration benefits shall not be considered in determining eligibility for the award of scholarships under 1964 PA 208, MCL 390.971 to 390.981.

(7) Any unexpended and unencumbered funds remaining on September 30, 2020 from the amounts appropriated in section 236 for the state competitive scholarship program for fiscal year 2019-2020 do not lapse on September 30, 2020, but continue to be available for the expenditure for state competitive scholarships under a work project account.

History: Add. 2011, Act 62, Eff. Oct. 1, 2011 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 201, Eff. Oct. 1, 2012 ;-- Am. 2016, Act 249, Eff. Oct. 1, 2016 ;-- Am. 2017, Act 108, Eff. Oct. 1, 2017 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 265, Eff. Oct. 1, 2018 ;-- Am. 2019, Act 62, Eff. Oct. 1, 2019