20-26-602. Governor's postsecondary scholarship program -- duties of council -- duties of board. (1) There is a governor's postsecondary scholarship program administered by the board through the office of the commissioner of higher education with assistance from the council.

(2) The purpose of the governor's postsecondary scholarship program is to provide scholarships on the basis of need and merit to Montana residents toward the cost of attendance at 2-year and 4-year postsecondary institutions and to allocate some of the scholarships to specific areas of study that promote economic development or address critical workforce shortage areas in Montana.

(3) The council shall gather information and make recommendations for the board to consider in the board's adoption of policies and procedures under 20-26-601 through 20-26-605. The recommendations must attempt to promote efficient administration of the governor's postsecondary scholarship program.

(4) After consideration of the council's recommendations pursuant to subsection (3), the board shall adopt policies and procedures for administration of the governor's postsecondary scholarship program consistent with 20-26-601 through 20-26-605.

(5) Subject to available funding, scholarships must be awarded on an annual basis to qualified recipients pursuant to policies adopted by the board. The board may delegate to Montana high schools and postsecondary institutions the authority to review scholarship applications and select scholarship recipients.