Bill > S00484

This bill establishes the Rural Teacher Education Loan Repayment Program within the New York State Education Department to address teacher shortages in rural areas. The program will provide loan repayment awards of up to $20,000 per year to teachers who commit to teaching for at least five years in rural school districts, which are defined as districts in counties with populations of 200,000 or less, or towns with population densities of 150 or fewer people per square mile. Eligible teachers must be licensed in New York and working in an identified underserved rural area. The awards can be used to repay student loans for undergraduate and graduate education related to teaching certification. If a teacher fails to complete the full five-year commitment, they may be required to repay a prorated amount of the loan assistance based on a specific formula. The program will be developed in cooperation with the New York State Center for Rural Schools, which will help identify districts struggling to attract and retain teachers. The bill includes provisions for waiving repayment obligations in cases of extreme hardship or death, and requires the commissioner to create regulations to implement the program starting January 1, 2026.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S484