Bill > S3951

Introduced Session

This bill establishes the Loan Redemption Program for Teachers of Agriculture within the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA). The purpose of the program is to provide an incentive for individuals to begin a career in agricultural education. The program will provide for the redemption of a portion of the eligible student loan expenses of program participants for each year of full-time employment in a school district as a certified teacher in a career and technical education program in agriculture approved by the Department of Education. Under the bill, HESAA will offer loan redemption for up to a total of ten participants in each program year. Loan redemption for each participant is capped at $10,000 a year, with a maximum five year loan redemption value of $50,000. To be eligible to participate in the program, an applicant must: be a resident of the State and maintain domicile in the State during participation in the program; have successfully completed an approved course of study within a five-year period prior to applying for the program; have an outstanding balance with a State or federal student loan program and not be in default on any student loan; and be a certified teacher who holds an endorsement issued by the State Board of Examiners that authorizes the holder to teach agriculture. A program participant will enter into a written contract with HESAA to participate in the program. The contract will specify the duration of the applicant's required employment by a school district as a teacher of agriculture, which will be no less than five years, and the total amount of eligible student loan expenses to be redeemed by the State in return for service.

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Vin Gopal (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Higher Education Committee (on 06/12/2023)

Official Document