§ 38–274.02. HEI scholarship program.

(a)(1) As part of the HEI Program, the University of the District of Columbia may establish and administer a scholarship-award program for qualified individuals who have an interest in the early childhood development field or pre-k education field.

(2) In exchange for a commitment to teach in the early childhood development or the pre-k education system in the District for 3 years, the University of the District of Columbia may provide to a qualified applicant a scholarship, stipend, tuition assistance, or other financial assistance, including financial assistance for mentoring, tutoring, transportation, and child care expenses, to remove barriers to attaining or seeking to attain a higher education credential in the field of early childhood development or early childhood education.

(b)(1) A qualified applicant shall be a high school graduate enrolled in a post-secondary institution receiving funding pursuant to this subchapter in an effort to pursue an associate degree in education or early childhood education or a bachelor of arts degree in education, human development, or early childhood education.

(2) A preference shall be given to individuals who:

(A) Are domiciled in the District;

(B)(i) Work in a bilingual childhood development facility in the District that is licensed by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education; and

(ii) Are required to obtain an associate degree or bachelor's degree pursuant to sections 164 to 171 of Title 5-A of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (5-A DCMR §§ 164-171);

(D) Commit to be domiciled in the District within 180 days of accepting a scholarship.

(c) An individual who accepts the scholarship and fails to fulfill the 3-year commitment shall be required to repay the scholarship.

(July 18, 2008, D.C. Law 17-202, § 402, 55 DCR 6297; Mar. 8, 2011, D.C. Law 18-285, § 2(h), 57 DCR 11005; Oct. 30, 2018, D.C. Law 22-168, § 4022(d), 65 DCR 9388; Nov. 13, 2021, D.C. Law 24-45, § 4082, 68 DCR 010163.)

Section References

This section is referenced in § 38-271.01.

Effect of Amendments

D.C. Law 18-285, in subsec. (a), substituted “grants” for “grants to pre-k teachers and assistant teachers” and “the University of the District of Columbia” for “OSSE”.

Emergency Legislation

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 4082 of Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2021 (D.C. Act 24-159, Aug. 23, 2021, 68 DCR 008602).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 4022(d) of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Congressional Review Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-458, Oct. 3, 2018, 65 DCR 11212).

For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 4022(d) of Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2018 (D.C. Act 22-434, July 30, 2018, 65 DCR 8200).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 2(i) of Pre-K Acceleration and Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2009 (D.C. Act 18-304, January 28, 2010, 57 DCR 1475).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 2(h) of Pre-k Acceleration and Clarification Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2010 (D.C. Act 18-602, December 1, 2010, 57 DCR 11039).

For temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 2(h) of Pre-k Acceleration and Clarification Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2010 (D.C. Act 19-4, February 11, 2011, 58 DCR 1399).

Temporary Legislation

Section 2(i) of D.C. Law 18-142 deleted “to pre-k teachers and assistant teachers”; and substituted “the University of the District of Columbia” for “OSSE” both times it appears.

Section 5(a) of D.C. Law 18-142 provided that the act shall expire after 225 days of its having taken effect.