HB 2603 Summary

• Establishes a pilot program requiring the Department of Education to provide grants covering tuition and fees for high school students enrolled in career academy or career and technical education programs to take college courses through running start or similar early college programs during academic year 2020-2021.

• Expands the Hawaii Educator Loan Program to include students who complete teacher education programs at career academies, with borrowers required to teach for at least three years at a Hawaii public school to qualify for loan forgiveness.

• Appropriates funds to the Department of Education for the pilot program grants and to the Hawaii educator loan program revolving fund for loan disbursement and program administration.

• Requires the Department of Education and University of Hawaii to submit reports to the legislature in 2021 and 2022 evaluating program effectiveness, student participation, and recommendations to expand similar programs for other high-demand fields and improve distance learning access.

• Takes effect July 1, 2050.