Section 5199.4 - New Economy Technology Scholarship Program(a) Establishment of program.--There is hereby established the New Economy Technology Scholarship Program within the agency, to consist of the SciTech Scholarship and the Technology Scholarship.(b) Issuance of grants.--The agency may provide scholarship grants to an eligible student who is a resident of this Commonwealth upon certification from an approved educational institution that the student is enrolled in an approved course of study. Scholarship grants shall only be for the amount set forth in sections 5(a) and 6(a) .(c) The department, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board, shall establish a list of approved courses of study for the program.(d) Other funding.--Prior to making a grant under this act, the agency shall first apply Federal Pell Grant and State grants available to educational costs, as determined by the agency, related to an undergraduate program prior to determining the amount of the scholarship grant.(e) Eligibility.--To receive a scholarship grant under this section, a student must meet all of the following requirements: (1) Graduation from high school or earning a general educational development (GED) diploma or the equivalent thereof.(2) Maintenance of domicile in Pennsylvania during the term of the scholarship grants.(3) Compliance with any conditions placed on the scholarship grant by the agency or by the department in consultation with the Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board.(4) Maintenance of a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, on a scale of 4.0, or its equivalent.(5) Entering into a written agreement with the agency to:(i) Satisfy all degree, diploma or certificate requirements and other requirements under this act.(ii) Commence employment in this Commonwealth within one year after completion of an approved bachelor's or associate's degree or certificate program for a period of one year for each academic year the student received a scholarship grant under this act unless the agency determines that there are extenuating circumstances.(iii) Reimburse the Commonwealth all amounts received under this act and interest thereon, as determined by the agency, if the student fails to comply with subparagraphs (i) and (ii).(f) Application.--A student shall apply to the agency for a scholarship grant as prescribed by the agency, to include the provision of all information and documentation required by the agency. The application of a student under 18 years of age shall include the signature of a parent or guardian. The application shall include a verified statement of grade point average from the appropriate educational institution as required in this act.(g) Work requirement.--The work requirement under subsection (e)(5)(ii) shall begin after the receipt of a bachelor's or an associate's degree or another appropriate certificate from an approved educational institution.(h) Termination.--If a student terminates enrollment in the approved educational institution during the academic year or prior to completion of the approved course of study, the approved education institution shall notify the agency in writing and shall return all unused portions of the scholarship grant. Returned amounts shall be used to fund other scholarship grants under this act.(i) Transfer.--A scholarship under this act is only transferrable to another approved educational institution if approved by the agency.(j) Limitation.--Grants awarded under the program shall be limited to funds appropriated for that purpose. First priority for awarding grants shall be given to renewal applicants. Thereafter, grants shall be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.(k) Exception.--The agency shall postpone the work requirement under subsection (g) for extenuating circumstances or because of the student's enrollment on a full-time basis in a graduate degree program within one year of the receipt of a bachelor's degree from an approved educational institution. The agency shall require documentation of the person's continual status as a full-time student as defined by the agency. The work requirement under subsection (e)(5)(ii) shall begin within one year after termination of enrollment on a full-time basis in a graduate degree program. 1999, June 23, P.L. 159, No. 22, § 4, effective 7/1/1999. Amended 2000, June 22, P.L. 383, No. 51, § 2, eff. July 1, 2000.