Roller can’t get scholarships changed

A measure that would have provided college funding from lottery money for non-traditional students has failed in committee, leaving state Sen. Steve Roller to wonder why 23- and 24-year-old students are being left in the cold.

‘For some reason, when they passed the funding, they carved out people who are 23 and 24,’ said Roller, noting scholarship funding for traditional students 18 to 22 is available, as is scholarship money for persons 25 and older. ‘You have many students who have been either in the military or went into the work force right after high school and now they’re wanting to better their education, but the state isn’t offering any help to them.’

The bill proposed by Roller and sponsored on the House side by state Rep. Judd Matheny was shot down by the Senate’s Education Committee 5-4, meaning it never came to the Senate floor for consideration.

‘The measure had a $1 million a year cost, but when you consider all the people it would help, it’s really not that much,’ said Roller, noting he wants to try one more time to get the bill passed. ‘I’d like to get another vote on it. I’m talking to the folks on the committee and hopefully we can swing that vote.’

Roller said despite budget issues this year, which could lead to a cut in state government jobs, the fact the funding would come from lottery money ‘ not tax money ‘ means it should not be affected by the budget cuts.

‘I think I could sell it to the full Senate if we can just get it before them,’ said Roller.