The Arizona Students Association plans to seek tobacco tax revenue to fund Project ASPIRE, a proposal designed to sway at-risk school children away from drugs and alcohol in favor of an education.

Coupled with that new tax money, ASA would explore the possibility of adding tobacco to the list of prohibited substances, said Julie Rice, an ASA director.

The proposal, which passed the Arizona Legislature two years ago without funding, was relegated to the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education. The commission has yet to provide the Arizona Student Program Investing Resources for Education with the approximately $100,000 needed to pilot the program in one school.

ASPIRE offers a tuition scholarship to Arizona universities if participating students avoid substance abuse and maintain above a 3.0 grade point average throughout elementary, middle and high school, according to a report by the postsecondary education co mmission.

"I think it's a wonderful program that addresses an area - financial aid - that is definitely relevant," Rice said.

Based on the "I Have A Dream" scholarship programs in New York and Louisiana, the proposal targets public school third-graders to sign up and agree to attend an Arizona post-secondary institution after graduating from high school.

Eligible "at-risk" elementary schools will be selected by a Project ASPIRE selection committee.

After meeting with Gov. Fife Symington, Associated Students President Benjamin Driggs was optimistic that the proposal would eventually find funding.

"He and top education aides really liked the idea," Driggs said. "If there's anything I've learned in the legislative process, it is that these things take a while."

Rice said that ASA is also considering other plans, like matching funds from private sector industries in order to speed up the process.