GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1991

H	1 

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1164

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Sponsors: Representative Gamble.

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Referred to:  Rules, Appointments and Calendar.

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May 6, 1991

A JOINT RESOLUTION URGING THAT A TOLL-FREE STATE NUMBER BE ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION STUDENTS, THAT A SINGLE APPLICATION BE DEVELOPED FOR ALL STATE-ADMINISTERED OR FINANCED STUDENT FINANCIAL AID, AND THAT THE STATE EDUCATION ASSISTANCE AUTHORITY TAKE THE LEAD IN ACHIEVING THESE OBJECTIVES.
Whereas, the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965 is being considered by the 102nd Congress of the United States; and
Whereas, this act will contain important provisions related to student financial aid, including funds that will subsequently be available to students in North Carolina; and
Whereas, the State of North Carolina also provides substantial financial aid to students attending postsecondary education institutions; and
Whereas, there are eight major statewide entities administering State funds for students who plan to attend or who are attending postsecondary education institutions; and
Whereas, making applications for student financial aid is a time-consuming and involved process as various State agencies and nonprofit organizations manage the various State funds that are available to students who plan to attend postsecondary education institutions in this State;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
Section 1. The General Assembly urges the State Education Assistance Authority to convene all of the State-administered program officers, be they governmental or nongovernmental, provided the nongovernmental entity must be administering State or federal funds to be included, to:
(1)	Establish or utilize a toll-free telephone number for prospective postsecondary education students to call for information about student financial aid;
(2)	Develop a single application form for all State-administered student financial aid with the expectation that all entities that administer State funds will review each student's application before an application is finally acted upon; and
(3)	Establish a "clearing house”for information about student financial aid that is funded by the State of North Carolina.
Sec. 2.  The General Assembly urges the State Education Assistance Authority to report its progress to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Education every 60 days until subsections (a), (b), and (c) of Section 2 are achieved or until the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Education is satisfied with the results of these objectives.
Sec. 3.  The Secretary of State shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the State Education Assistance Authority and to each member of the North Carolina Congressional Delegation.
Sec. 4.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.