Student financial aid program: California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program.

Existing law establishes various student financial aid programs under the administration of the Student Aid Commission, and establishes eligibility requirements for the receipt of awards under those programs for participating students attending qualifying institutions. Existing law establishes the Military Department, which includes the California National Guard, the State Military Reserve, and the Naval Militia, to perform various duties regarding the state militia. This bill would establish the California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program on behalf of qualifying members of the California National Guard, the State Military Reserve, and the Naval Militia under the administration of the commission. The bill would require the Student Aid Commission, in consultation with the Military Department, to adopt emergency rules and regulations for the purpose of implementing the program. The bill would require the Student Aid Commission to report annually to the Legislature regarding program participation. The bill would require the Legislative Analyst, on or before January 1, 2016, to prepare and submit to the Legislature a report on the program. The bill would provide that the program would become operative only if funds are appropriated for the purposes of the program. The bill would also provide that implementation of the program would be contingent upon the receipt of federal funds. The program would become inoperative on July 1, 2019, and would be repealed on January 1, 2020.