JUNEAU -- The divided Alaska Senate has passed a bill that creates a long-term funding source for student scholarships.

The bill, as rewritten in the Senate Finance Committee, also changes the terms for achieving a scholarship, drawing the opposition of Gov. Sean Parnell.

The vote was 12-8.

The bill would allow for students who take a high school equivalency exam to qualify for scholarships. It also would provide for a waiver of course requirements for graduates who couldn't complete classes for reasons beyond their control, including lack of "reasonable access" to the classes at "small or remote" schools they attend.