Education (Student Financial Aid)

in committee · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 315: Tax Credit Modifications

SB 315 modifies Utah's tax credit rules for donations to the Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship Program, directly affecting individuals and businesses that donate to this scholarship initiative. The bill allows donors to claim any portion of their tax credit amount (instead of requiring full use) and permits carrying forward or back unused credit amounts for up to three years. This change makes the tax credit more flexible for donors who cannot fully utilize it in a single tax year. The bill takes effect retroactively for taxable years beginning January 1, 2026, and applies to existing tax credit certificates issued under the program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesModifies tax credit rules to increase donor flexibility and utilization, promoting broader tax credit adoption under fiscal responsibility.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationModifies tax credits to increase flexibility for donations to education scholarship program, expanding access to private school funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Student Financial Aid

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signed · Utah · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 502: School Attendance Modifications

HB 502 establishes standardized citizenship grading for Utah students, requiring schools to use consistent state-defined criteria for skills like attendance, participation, and meeting deadlines. Parents can opt their children out of citizenship grades, in which case students receive academic grades only and are ineligible for a related higher education scholarship program funded by voluntary tax contributions. The bill also creates statewide test-out options for core classes (English, math, science, social studies) allowing students to earn credit without taking the course, beginning in 2027. Attendance-based grading is permitted, but individualized attendance plans are repealed. These changes affect all Utah public school students, parents, and school districts, with key provisions taking effect in the 2027-2028 school year.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRequires citizenship grades for scholarship eligibility, restricting access to higher education funding for opt-out students per bill's scholarship ineligibility clause.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

in committee · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 515: Graduate Student Supplemental Loans

HB 515 creates the Graduate Student Supplemental Revolving Loan Fund to provide low-interest loans covering the gap between federal financial aid limits and actual program costs for eligible graduate students. It directly affects students enrolled in specific non-professional graduate programs (like nursing, social work, education, or counseling) at Utah degree-granting institutions. The Utah Board of Higher Education will administer the fund, make rules for loan applications and repayment, and use repaid funds to sustain the program - requiring no new state appropriations. The fund becomes operational on July 1, 2026, with annual reports to the governor and legislature.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates new loan fund to cover cost gaps for education-focused graduate students, directly expanding financial aid access for higher education programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds graduate education in nursing/social work, increasing future healthcare workforce capacity through targeted financial aid for healthcare-related programs.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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signed · Utah · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 467: Utah Fits All Scholarship Program Modifications

HB 467 modifies Utah's Fits All Scholarship Program to clarify eligibility and strengthen oversight. It requires students to be under 19 as of September 1 of the scholarship year and establishes consumer protection standards for how scholarship funds are spent. The bill also enhances program oversight, improves customer service standards for participants, and makes technical updates to program administration rules. These changes directly affect Utah students in kindergarten through 12th grade applying for the scholarship, ensuring clearer eligibility and better safeguards for scholarship funds. The bill does not appropriate new funds but adjusts existing program operations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationModifies scholarship program to clarify eligibility, strengthen oversight, and ensure proper fund usage, enhancing access and program integrity for K-12 students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

signed · Utah · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 163: Grow Your Own Educator Pipeline Program Amendments

HB 163 amends Utah's Grow Your Own Educator Pipeline Program to expand scholarship eligibility. It specifically allows currently licensed teachers pursuing special education endorsements to receive program scholarships, which previously covered only paraprofessionals and students in training. The bill updates the program's eligibility rules to include these teachers while maintaining existing requirements for school districts, such as requiring candidates to be state residents and employed by the same district. The program uses existing funds to support scholarships covering tuition, fees, and certification costs, with no new money appropriated.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands scholarship access for licensed teachers seeking special education endorsements, increasing funding opportunities for educator development and program inclusivity within K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Teachers

introduced · Utah · House Mar 7, 2026

HB 198: Educator Salary Adjustment

HB 198 repeals a provision tying educator salary adjustments to the funding status of Utah's Fits All Scholarship Program. The bill removes the condition that would have reduced salary adjustments from $10,350 to $5,175 if the scholarship program was not funded, ensuring all eligible educators receive the full $10,350 adjustment for fiscal year 2026 regardless of the scholarship program's status. It affects school districts, charter schools, regional education service agencies, and Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind that employ educators covered under the bill (including teachers, counselors, librarians, and specialists). The change takes effect July 1, 2026, with no new funding added - only a technical adjustment to the existing salary calculation mechanism.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill ensures full $10,350 educator salary adjustment by removing contingent defunding clause, protecting school budget allocation for personnel costs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnsures full educator salary adjustment ($10,350) by removing funding-dependent reduction, directly supporting teacher compensation and school finance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Teachers

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in committee · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 106: Educator Compensation Amendments

SB 106 preserves current educator salary adjustments by removing a legal dependency on the Utah Fits All Scholarship Program's status. It ensures educators (including teachers, counselors, librarians, and specialists) receive a fixed $10,350 salary adjustment for fiscal year 2026, regardless of litigation affecting the scholarship program. The bill makes this change to prevent potential pay reductions if the scholarship program faces legal challenges. No new funding is appropriated, and the amendment applies to all school districts, charter schools, and Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPreserves educator salary funding without new appropriations, preventing potential budget cuts by removing dependency on scholarship program litigation.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationPreserves educator salary adjustments to prevent pay cuts, ensuring fixed compensation regardless of scholarship program litigation, directly supporting teacher compensation.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPreserves fixed $10,350 educator salary adjustment for FY2026, preventing potential pay reductions from scholarship program litigation, directly protecting compensation for school personnel.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Teachers

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signed · Utah · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 195: Workforce Development

SB 195 establishes a Statewide Youth Apprenticeship Governance Council to coordinate youth apprenticeship programs across Utah state agencies and education providers. It authorizes the state to participate in the federal Workforce Pell Grant program and allows the Department of Workforce Services to share wage data with the Utah Board of Higher Education. Key provisions include modifying definitions, enabling interstate agreements for education programs, classifying certain student data as protected, and creating mechanisms for approving industry-recognized credentials. The bill directly affects state agencies, educational institutions, and apprenticeship programs by improving coordination and data sharing for workforce development. No new funding is appropriated.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes Youth Apprenticeship Council, authorizes Workforce Pell Grants, and enables data sharing with higher education to strengthen education-workforce alignment and expand student opportunities.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes Youth Apprenticeship Governance Council and enables Workforce Pell Grants to strengthen job training pathways and workforce development programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Student Financial Aid Apprenticeships Workforce Development

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 220: Veteran Scholarship Amendments

SB 220 modifies Utah's tuition waiver program for Purple Heart recipients pursuing graduate studies. It removes a previous requirement that veterans apply for graduate waivers within 10 years of completing an undergraduate degree and increases the maximum total waiver amount from $10,000 to $15,000. The bill also clarifies that waivers apply for up to five years after program acceptance or until degree completion, whichever comes first. This change directly affects Utah residents who are Purple Heart recipients enrolled in graduate programs at state institutions. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases graduate scholarship funding from $10k to $15k and removes time restrictions, expanding access to higher education for veterans.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases Purple Heart recipients' tuition waiver amount from $10k to $15k and removes 10-year application deadline, expanding educational benefits for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Veteran Education

in committee · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 159: Dyslexia Screening Amendments

SB 159 requires public schools in Utah to screen all kindergarten through second-grade students for dyslexia. Large school districts (over 3,000 students) must administer screenings annually, while regional education agencies handle screenings for small districts and charter schools upon request. Parents can also request screenings for their children in grades K-2, including students in home schools or scholarship programs. The bill mandates state funding distribution for implementation but does not appropriate funds in this bill. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates dyslexia screenings for K-2 with state funding, expanding early intervention access in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

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