summary
Introduced
01/20/2025
01/20/2025
In Committee
01/20/2025
01/20/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/04/2025
02/04/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act To Enact The "mississippi Reconnect Act"; To Define Terms; To Establish Requirements To Be Considered Eligible For A Grant; To Establish Requirements To Remain Eligible For A Grant; To Establish Events That End A Student's Eligibility For A Grant Under This Act; To Provide Exceptions For Instances Involving Major Medical Leave; To Require The State Auditor To Review And Study The Program Every Four Years To Evaluate Effectiveness; To Provide Awards For Nontraditional Students; To Provide For Distribution Of Funds; And For Related Purposes.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Mississippi Reconnect Grant Program, which provides financial assistance to nontraditional students seeking to complete an associate degree or certificate at public community or junior colleges. The program is designed to support independent students who are at least 25 years old and have not previously earned an associate or bachelor's degree. To be eligible, students must be Mississippi residents, complete the FAFSA, maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA, and enroll at least part-time in an eligible program of study. The grant covers tuition and mandatory fees, minus other gift aid, with a maximum award of $1,500 per semester for full-time students. Eligibility is limited to five years from initial enrollment or until the student completes their program, whichever comes first. The bill includes provisions for medical or personal leaves of absence and allows students to transfer between eligible institutions without losing the grant. The State Auditor is required to review the program's effectiveness every four years and report findings to legislative leadership. The program is set to begin in the fall semester of 2025, with the Board of Trustees of Mississippi State Institutions of Higher Learning and Mississippi Community College Board authorized to create rules for implementation.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Died In Committee (on 02/04/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
Document Type | Source Location |
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State Bill Page | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/SB/SB2528.xml |
BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2025/html/SB/2500-2599/SB2528IN.htm |
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