6,500 students expected to use Millennium Scholarships

Friday, April 14, 2000 | 10:37 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- An estimated 6,500 high school students, or about 40 percent of this year's graduating class, will use Millennium Scholarships to Nevada's universities or community colleges, state Treasurer Brian Krolicki predicted Thursday.

Krolicki told the Legislative Interim Finance Committee that the money the state receives from the tobacco settlement will cover the costs of the new program for at least the next decade and further.

Seniors graduating after May 1 with a "B" average or better are eligible to apply for up to $2,500 a year. Those seeking careers in health care and education or whose families are financially disadvantaged or who have substantially participated in anti-tobacco or substance abuse programs in high school, will be given special consideration for the scholarships.

Clark County has a preliminary estimate that about 30 percent of its high school seniors will qualify to seek the scholarships. Washoe County has 52.9 percent of its seniors qualified, and 53 percent of the students in Carson City will likely be eligible.

Krolicki's office estimates it will have $49.4 million by June 30 this year. Of the amount received annually, 40 percent is to go to the Millennium Scholarships, an idea developed by Gov. Kenny Guinn. Health programs are to receive 50 percent, while 10 percent will be put into a trust fund.

A committee is taking testimony from groups that are seeking a share of the money for health programs. The panel will make its decisions later this summer on where the funds should be distributed.

Part of the money is already allocated to a program to help senior citizens pay for prescription drugs.

State Human Resources Director Charlotte Crawford told the committee she hopes to get the prescription drug program started in October. The committee authorized her to go forward with plans to hire 2 1/4 positions to get the project off the ground.

Committee members said they want to make sure the money comes out of the 2 percent set aside for administration in the tobacco program and not be taken from the prescription drug money.

Crawford said bids are due next week from private companies that want to be the insurance carrier for the project.

While the state is nearing the start of its program, Democrats and Republicans in Congress are battling over starting a similar federal project.

In other action, the finance committee released $1 million to 12 school districts and three charter schools for remediation programs for students who do poorly in tests. The schools had asked for $1.9 million, but the request had to be pared back.

Clark County requested $437,167 but will receive $351,133, with the money to be spent at 16 high schools, 20 elementary schools and two middle schools.

The committee also allocated close to $37,000 to charter schools for remediation of students. The schools are Gateway to Success, a charter high school in Churchill County; The "I Can Do Anything" High School in Washoe County, the first charter school in the state; and Sierra Nevada Academy, an elementary school in Washoe County.