In a speech to the National Council of La Raza Annual Conference, Gov. Jay Nixon announced his veto of Senate Bill 224, which would take away the A+ scholarship eligibility of Missouri high school students who have earned those scholarships through their work in the classroom and the community.

The A+ scholarship program, which under Gov. Nixon has expanded to include nearly every public high school in Missouri, enables qualified students to attend one of the state’s public community colleges by covering the costs of tuition and books for two years.

The bill would impact students with federal DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival) status. Such students came into the United States before they turned 16 and meet certain guidelines established in 2012. DACA status requires eligible individuals to be in school currently, or to have graduated from high school, or to be honorably discharged from the United States Military. It also requires that they have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more misdemeanors.

“At a time when we are working to make higher education in Missouri more accessible and affordable, this bill would have the exact opposite effect by taking away the scholarships these students have earned through their hard work and achievement,” Gov. Nixon said. “These students have worked hard, played by the rules and given back to their communities. Rather than punishing them, we should be encouraging students who are willing to work hard both in and out of the classroom to achieve their goals and strengthen their communities.”

In his veto message, the Governor wrote that “Senate Bill 224 is a harsh measure imposed unfairly on children who have done nothing wrong. Quite the contrary, they have done much to be admired, in their studies, for their schools, and on behalf of their communities. Rather than rewarding them for their achievements, Senate Bill 224 singles them out for exclusion.”

(News Release)