20-26-633. (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 through the commissioner of higher education for the purpose of helping youth who have aged out of the foster care system meet their educational, vocational, and professional goals without accruing debt.

(b) The Montana foster youth higher education assistance program shall allow and encourage each participating institution to develop a unique program to serve its eligible students pursuant to 20-26-634.

(c) The board of regents shall adopt policies for the administration of the program consistent with 20-26-634 and this section. The policies must include a provision that if funds appropriated for the Montana foster youth higher education assistance program are insufficient in any year, then financial assistance to students under 20-26-634(1)(d) is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

(2) An educational or training institution is eligible for a program grant if it is a community or tribal college located in the state of Montana, a 2-year or 4-year institution of the Montana university system, or a publicly funded vocational training program.

(3) The legislature intends that institutions receiving grants pursuant to subsection (2) may reapply to the program for additional grants.

(4) In accordance with 5-11-210, the commissioner shall report annually to the education interim committee and the children, families, health, and human services interim committee on the status and impacts of the grants described in this section. (Terminates June 30, 2031--sec. 4, Ch. 629, L. 2023.)