Nevada Legislature: Senators propose need-based college scholarship

Nevada could soon have a need-based grant program in addition to the Millennium Scholarship to help its graduates pay for college.

SB227 was introduced in the Senate on Monday. The bill would create the Silver State Opportunity Grant Program and provide it with $5 million in funding each of the next two years.

Applicants would need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and the size of each grant would vary based on a student’s ability to pay.

Students could use their grant to attend a community college or Nevada State College.

Nevada’s only state-run scholarship is the Millennium Scholarship, which is based on a student’s grades. Bill sponsors say a need-based program is necessary to keep college within reach of Nevada’s lowest-income families.