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GeorgiaSB 852025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Grants for Foster Children; a grant program to provide grants to former foster youth who meet eligibility requirements, subject to specific appropriations; establish

Sponsored By: John Albers (Republican), Jason Anavitarte (Republican), Brandon Beach (Republican), Matt Brass (Republican), Jason Esteves (Democrat), Ed Harbison (Democrat), Randy Robertson (Republican), Blake Tillery (Republican), Kenya Wicks (Democrat)

Signed by Governor

Higher EducationGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New college grants for Georgia foster youth

The law creates undergraduate scholarships for eligible current and former foster youth and certain adopted youth under age 26. Qualifying paths include current state foster custody, state independent-living programs, adoption assistance, or the state's aging foster child definition. Other paths include adoption from permanent state custody after age 14 or at least six months in state custody after 14. Students must attend an eligible college full- or part-time; admitted students can qualify within three years of a diploma or state-approved equivalency. Applicants must complete the Georgia Student Finance Authority's simplified application and FAFSA, remain in good standing, and meet federal academic progress standards. Semester grants cover eligible tuition, housing, meals, and books after federal and other state aid, up to $30,000 yearly. Awards end at the first of a bachelor's degree, 127 attempted semester hours, 190 attempted quarter hours, or 10 years of grants. Attempted coursework at any college counts toward those limits. The program takes effect only when specifically appropriated funds become available.

Scholarship safeguards and penalties for false applications

The Georgia Student Finance Authority runs the program and can hire a qualified Georgia nonprofit grant coordinator. That contract must direct 100% of appropriated program funds to student grants, not administrative costs. Schools must return improper payments for students who do not enroll or were certified as eligible by mistake or knowingly. Non-enrollment refunds follow the program's proportional refund rules. The Authority can check school costs, enrollment, and payments, and suspend payments to schools that fail to make required refunds. Applicants and helpers commit a misdemeanor by knowingly giving false information to help an ineligible student obtain a grant. State budget and education agencies and eligible colleges must provide data needed to run and monitor the program. These rules take effect when specifically appropriated program funds become available.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • John Albers

    Republican • Senate

  • Jason Anavitarte

    Republican • Senate

  • Brandon Beach

    Republican • Senate

  • Matt Brass

    Republican • Senate

  • Jason Esteves

    Democrat • Senate

  • Ed Harbison

    Democrat • Senate

  • Randy Robertson

    Republican • Senate

  • Blake Tillery

    Republican • Senate

  • Kenya Wicks

    Democrat • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Trey Kelley

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 272 • No: 3

Senate vote • 4/4/2025

AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 53 • No: 1

House vote • 3/27/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 166 • No: 2 • Other: 5

Senate vote • 3/3/2025

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 53 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Senate Date Signed by Governor

    5/12/2025Senate

  2. Act 120

    5/12/2025

  3. Senate Sent to Governor

    4/10/2025Senate

  4. Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub

    4/4/2025Senate

  5. House Third Readers

    3/27/2025House

  6. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/27/2025House

  7. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/18/2025House

  8. House Second Readers

    3/6/2025House

  9. House First Readers

    3/4/2025House

  10. Senate Third Read

    3/3/2025Senate

  11. Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/3/2025Senate

  12. Senate Read Second Time

    2/20/2025Senate

  13. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/19/2025Senate

  14. Senate Read and Referred

    2/4/2025Senate

  15. Senate Hopper

    2/3/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • SB 85/AP* (v9)

    PDF

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