UNG scholarship proposal would expand state nominations, adding roughly 210 scholarship slots with modest additional funding

Representative Wade and University of North Georgia officials told the committee the proposed changes would broaden the state's Military Scholarship Program at UNG by increasing the number of nomination slots per congressional district and aligning scholarship capacity with a planned 300-cadet force.

Dr. Michael Shannon and Captain Trevor Holbrooks described the program as a key commissioning pipeline for the Georgia Army National Guard. Wade said the program currently has about 149 participants, the budget is roughly $3.7 million, and expansion to 210 recipients would move the program toward the university's 300-cadet target.

On fiscal questions, presenters said a formal fiscal note had been requested. In rough arithmetic presented to the committee, increasing capacity to 210 recipients was estimated to require about $900,000 more in FY27, moving total program outlays toward $4.748 million from a current spending level described as approximately $3.4 million in active cadet support.

Captain Trevor Holbrooks, a program alumnus and UNG National Guard Attachment Commander, testified about his experience: he received the scholarship, attended UNG, commissioned into the Georgia Army National Guard and performed domestic and overseas deployments. He argued the scholarship produces a high return on investment by returning trained officers into state service.

Committee members asked about nomination criteria, alternates, and the minimum/maximum per district; presenters explained an ordered, merit-based committee selection and that alternates would be drawn from a statewide ranked list if a district slot is not filled.

What happens next: The committee accepted the presentation and will resume consideration on Wednesday with additional questions and the pending fiscal note.