HCS SB 980 -- NURSING AND TEACHING SCHOLARSHIPS

This bill changes the laws regarding the Nursing Student Loan
Repayment Program.  "Eligible student" is defined as a person who
has been accepted as a full-time nursing student, rather than a
person who has applied for admission.  Currently, 25% of the loan
is forgiven for each year of employment.  The bill revises the
repayment provision to allow forgiveness through employment
without a specific schedule.

The bill also establishes the Urban Flight and Rural Needs
Scholarship Program for up to 100 college education students who
meet the grade point requirement and agree to teach in certain
school districts.  The scholarship may also be granted to certain
community college students or individuals who have completed a
bachelor's degree and make a commitment to pursue a career in
teaching.  The scholarship covers up to four years of tuition and
fees at a Missouri college or university and is forgiven at a
rate of one year of scholarship for every two years of teaching;
otherwise, the scholarship is converted to a loan which is to be
repaid at 9.5% interest a year.  The Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education will administer the program and provide 75%
of the scholarship amount, subject to appropriations.  The school
district with which the recipient contracts will provide the
remaining 25%.  The department may defer interest under certain
conditions and may sell the loan to the Missouri Higher Education
Loan Authority (MOHELA).

The Urban Flight and Rural Needs Scholarship Program Fund is
created and will consist of all moneys appropriated, gifts,
contributions, grants, or bequests which are to be used solely
for awarding scholarships under this program.

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:47 am