The 2022 General Assembly adjourned just after midnight on Monday and the budget is now being dissected to review specific funding elements. Here are a few important and often-overlooked items in the education sector. Consider that the Legislature now will be:
· Providing professional development and student support for a computer silence pilot program in rural Georgia – $600,000.
· Expanding capacity for nursing students – $1.2 million.
· Creating Middle Georgia Aviation Career Pathways program – $1.9 million.
Before adjournment, a HOPE Career Grant was adjusted to include Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement programs. With regard to the entire (and popular) HOPE Grant and Scholarship program, funding was increased to provide 90 percent payment of tuition. Legislators also voted to provide service cancelable loans to active local or state law enforcement officers to pursue degrees in criminal justice or a relevant social science field. Furthermore, provision was also made for service cancelable loans to Georgia residents enrolled in degree programs in qualified behavior health professions.
Significant monies in key technical education sectors were also provided:
· Funds for the Dual Achievement Pilot Program – $4,793,500.
· High-cost instruction programs – $2,693,957.
· Aviation technician programs at colleges statewide to meet increasing aviation workforce demands – $2,194,020.
Finally, the General Assembly voted to provide $6 million in 20-year bonds to fund construction of college and career academies, statewide.
