Title 20, Title 20

The Montana work-study program is hereby established to be administered by the board of regents of higher education as provided by this part.

At least 70% of the funds allocated to the program must be used to provide job opportunities for students with demonstrated financial need. The remainder of the funds allocated to this program may be used to provide job opportunities on a basis other than financial need. The othe…

All funds allocated through this program are supplemental in nature and are not meant to replace existing federal and state student financial assistance funds or any other funds that would otherwise be appropriated for student assistance.

The board of regents of higher education shall promulgate rules for the allocation of program funds among the institutions.

Any local governing body; state or local administrative agency, department, board, commission; judicial, legislative, or other governmental unit; or nonprofit private organization is eligible to employ Montana students under the program as determined by the board of regents of hi…

An employer is not eligible to employ any person under this program if the employer practices discrimination in employment against any individual because of race, creed, religion, color, political ideas, sex, as defined in 1-1-209, age, marital status, physical or mental disabili…

The salaries paid to students employed under this program and the number of hours each student works shall be approved by institution officers administering the program, subject to guidelines promulgated by the board of regents of higher education; provided that in no case will a…

Each employer must contribute toward the salary of each student employed under the program at a level determined by the board of regents of higher education but at a level no less than 30% of the student's hourly wage.

The legislature of the state of Montana approves, ratifies, and adopts the Western Regional Higher Education Compact approved by the western governors conference meeting at Denver, Colorado, on November 10, 1950, which compact is as follows: WESTERN REGIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION COMP…

Said compact shall become operative and binding at the time provided and in accordance with Article X of said compact. The governor of Montana shall give notice of the approval, ratification, and adoption of said compact by the 32nd legislative assembly of the state of Montana to…

The western interstate commission for higher education is authorized to act on behalf of this state in making arrangements for the placement of students in institutions and programs of higher learning outside the states which are parties to the compact for establishing the commis…

The authority conferred by 20-25-803 shall be exercised only pursuant to written agreement between an agency of this state having responsibility for or duties with respect to programs for assisting residents of this state to obtain higher education. Any such agreements shall incl…

Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to alter any of the obligations or restrict or impair any rights which this state may have under the compact establishing the commission.

(1) In making the appointments of commissioners provided for in 20-25-801, the governor shall appoint three members as follows: (a) one member who is an educator engaged in the field of higher education in Montana; (b) one member who is engaged in a professional occupation; and (…

(1) (a) An individual accepted into the cooperative medical education program with the university of Washington school of medicine shall, before confirming enrollment in the program, enter into a contract specifying whether the individual will commit to entering active full-time …

(1) There is a family education savings program oversight committee under the authority of the board. (2) The committee consists of seven members appointed by the governor to staggered 4-year terms. The members must include: (a) the commissioner of insurance or the commissioner's…

(1) The board shall: (a) administer, manage, promote, and market the program; (b) seek rulings and other guidance relating to the program from the United States department of the treasury and the internal revenue service; (c) administer the program in compliance with section 529 …

Parts 1 and 2 may be cited as "The Montana Resident Student Financial Aid Program Act".

(1) The purpose of parts 1 and 2 is to establish a program to provide financial aid to resident Montana postsecondary undergraduate and graduate students. (2) In establishing the Montana resident student financial aid program, the legislature intends to collaborate with the board…

As used in parts 1 and 2, the following definitions apply: (1) "Postsecondary institution" means: (a) a unit of the Montana university system as defined in 20-25-201; (b) a Montana community college, defined and organized as provided in 20-15-101; or (c) an accredited tribal coll…

There is a Montana resident student financial aid program administered by the commissioner of higher education.

The commissioner of higher education shall submit an annual report to the education interim committee in accordance with 5-11-210 regarding the Montana resident student financial aid program. The report must provide information about the previous year and must include the progres…

As used in this part, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following definitions apply: (1) "Agency" means the entity designated by the board to administer student loans. (2) "Board" means the board of regents of higher education. (3) "Eligible educational institut…

(1) The board may establish and contract for the operation of a student loan program to make available to students improved opportunities for education by guaranteeing loans in accordance with applicable federal law to persons attending or accepted for enrollment at an eligible e…

In discharging its duties in relation to the student loan program, the board shall: (1) act as guarantor and administrator on loans of money, upon terms and conditions that the board may prescribe, to assist persons attending or accepted for enrollment at an eligible educational …

(1) There is a student loan account within the federal special revenue fund provided for in 17-2-102. (2) The board shall credit to the account established in subsection (1) all money designated for the student loan program by the United States or by any other public or private s…

The legislature is not obligated to appropriate any money to pay for student loan defaults. For the purpose of the student loan program, neither the board nor the agency may obligate the credit of the state.

(1) The student loan program may not be dissolved until all contractual obligations have been satisfied and all loans have been paid by the borrower or, if in default, by the board or have been otherwise accounted for under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended…

The board may request from any state or local government agency or officer information that would aid in the collection of delinquent student loans. All state and local government officials and employees shall cooperate with the board in supplying the information and shall on req…

There is an incentive for physicians practicing in rural areas or medically underserved areas or for underserved populations state special revenue account. Money is payable into the account as provided in 17-1-511, 20-25-810, and 20-26-1502. Income and earnings on the account mus…

(1) The board of regents may assess a fee to students preparing to be physicians in the fields of medicine or osteopathic medicine who are supported by the state pursuant to an interstate compact for a professional education program in those fields, as those fields are defined by…

(1) The state special revenue account established in 20-26-1501 is statutorily appropriated, as provided in 17-7-502, to the board of regents to be used to pay: (a) the educational debts of physicians who practice in rural areas or medically underserved areas or for medically und…

(1) There is a loan reimbursement program for an individual who is licensed to practice as a registered professional nurse pursuant to 37-8-406 and who works at the Montana state prison or the Montana state hospital. (2) (a) The board of regents shall, subject to available approp…

The commissioner of higher education shall: (1) adopt policies to administer the Montana resident student financial aid program, including the establishment of criteria for student eligibility that must consider financial need; (2) determine the amount of individual financial aid…

Administration costs not provided by the federal grant that are attributable to parts 1 and 2 must be negotiated and charged to the individual participants.

Funds received by the commissioner of higher education for the Montana resident student financial aid program, including funds for the administration of parts 1 and 2, must be deposited in the state treasury.

As used in this part, the following definitions apply: (1) "Accredited" means a school that is accredited by the board of public education pursuant to 20-7-102. (2) "Board" means the board of regents of higher education created by Article X, section 9(2), of the Montana constitut…

(1) The board may accept donations from public or private sources for the Montana STEM scholarship program and shall distribute those funds in accordance with this part. (2) Scholarship awards are determined solely by the board or an entity designated by the board pursuant to boa…

(1) There is a Montana STEM scholarship program. The program is administered by the board through the office of the commissioner of higher education. (2) The purpose of the Montana STEM scholarship program is to provide an incentive for Montana high school students to prepare for…

(1) To be eligible for the Montana STEM scholarship, a student must: (a) be a Montana resident who graduated from a Montana high school with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25; (b) be eligible for in-state tuition pursuant to the board's policies; (c) have complete…

(1) A student who meets the requirements of 20-26-615 will receive a $1,000 scholarship for the first academic year the student is enrolled at a postsecondary institution. (2) A student who meets the requirements of this subsection will receive an additional scholarship for up to…

(1) There is a Montana STEM scholarship program account within the state special revenue fund established in 17-2-102. The purpose of the account is to fund the Montana STEM scholarship program. The account is administered by the board through the office of the commissioner of hi…

Sections 20-26-621 through 20-26-623 may be cited as the "Montana Promise Act".

The purpose of 20-26-621 through 20-26-623 is to increase college affordability and attainment for and decrease the amount of college debt incurred by Montana residents who utilize community and tribal colleges and 2-year institutions of the Montana university system.

(1) There is a Montana promise grant program for the purpose of providing grants to students who meet the criteria for certain postsecondary programs pursuant to subsection (2). The program is administered by the board of regents through the office of the commissioner of higher e…

(Temporary) Montana foster youth higher education assistance program -- administration -- eligible institutions. (1) (a) Contingent on appropriation from the legislature, there is a Montana foster youth higher education assistance program administered by the board of regents thro…