There is hereby created in the state treasury the choose Ohio first scholarship reserve fund to consist of such amounts designated for the purposes of the fund by the general assembly or the federal government. As soon as possible following the end of each fiscal year, the chancellor of higher education shall certify to the director of budget and management the unencumbered balance of the general revenue fund appropriations made in the immediately preceding fiscal year for purposes of the choose Ohio first scholarship program created in section 3333.61 of the Revised Code. Upon receipt of the certification, the director of budget and management may transfer an amount not exceeding the certified amount from the general revenue fund to the choose Ohio first scholarship reserve fund. Moneys in the choose Ohio first scholarship reserve fund shall be used to pay scholarship obligations in excess of the general revenue fund appropriations made for that purpose.

The director of budget and management may transfer any unencumbered balance from the choose Ohio first scholarship reserve fund to the general revenue fund.

If it is determined that general revenue fund appropriations are insufficient to meet the obligations for the choose Ohio first scholarship in a fiscal year, the director of budget and management may transfer funds from the choose Ohio first scholarship reserve fund to the general revenue fund in order to meet those obligations. The amount transferred is hereby appropriated. If the funds transferred from the choose Ohio first scholarship reserve fund are not needed, the director of budget and management may transfer the unexpended balance from the general revenue fund back to the choose Ohio first scholarship reserve fund.