00                  SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 19                                                                   
01 Relating to a Joint Legislative Higher Education Scholarship Funding Task Force.                                        
02 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                               
03       WHEREAS there is a growing problem of students entering degree programs at                                      
04 postsecondary institutions in Alaska but not completing the degree programs; and                                        
05       WHEREAS, at 22.4 percent, Alaska ranks last in the nation for first-time full-time                            
06 bachelor degree-seeking students who complete their degrees within six years; and                                       
07       WHEREAS it is estimated that, by 2025, 50 percent of all jobs in the United States                              
08 will require a college-level degree; and                                                                                
09       WHEREAS having an educated population is integral to economic development and                                   
10 promotion of lifetime success; and                                                                                      
11       WHEREAS the cost of attending postsecondary institutions continues to rise while                                
12 financial aid for students fails to alleviate their unmet financial need so that they may attend                        
13 college; and                                                                                                            
14       WHEREAS improving financial aid opportunities for Alaska students would likely                                  
15 improve postsecondary graduation rates in the state; and                                                                
16       WHEREAS establishing a state scholarship program to improve access to student                                   

01 financial aid requires a more thorough examination by the legislature;                                                  
02       BE IT RESOLVED by the Alaska State Legislature that the Joint Legislative Higher                                
03 Education Scholarship Funding Task Force is established for the purpose of examining higher                             
04 education costs and identifying the best approach in providing financial aid to assist students                         
05 in the state; and be it                                                                                                 
06       FURTHER RESOLVED that the duties of the task force include                                                      
07            (1)  evaluating proposals that are based on available facts and conclusions                                  
08 pertaining to financial aid opportunities at postsecondary institutions in the state;                                   
09            (2)  recommending improvements or additions to the laws providing for                                        
10 financial aid at postsecondary institutions; and                                                                        
11            (3)  taking public comments on financial aid opportunities in the state; and be                              
12 it                                                                                                                      
13       FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force consists of 11 members as follows:                                         
14            (1)  five members of the senate appointed by the president of the senate;                                    
15            (2)  five members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of                                
16 the house of representatives; and                                                                                       
17            (3)  one member appointed by the governor; and be it                                                         
18       FURTHER RESOLVED that the president of the senate and the speaker of the house                                  
19 of representatives shall jointly appoint the chair and vice-chair of the task force; and be it                          
20       FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall meet during the interim between                                      
21 legislative sessions; and be it                                                                                         
22       FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall submit a report of its findings and                                  
23 proposed legislative changes to the governor and the legislature by December 1, 2010, and                               
24 may make any additional reports it considers advisable; and be it                                                       
25       FURTHER RESOLVED that the Joint Legislative Higher Education Scholarship                                        
26 Task Force is terminated on January 1, 2011.