ID H0185

Establishes the Quality Educator Loan Assistance Program administered by the State Board of Education to provide direct repayment of federal educational loans for eligible teachers and pupil service employees.

Defines eligible educators as full-time, certificated instructional or pupil service employees working in Idaho school districts or public charter schools that face critical shortages due to rural isolation or economic disadvantage.

Requires educators to have a signed contract, a loan with minimum $1,000 unpaid balance not in default, and must submit official verification of loan debt to qualify for assistance.

Provides graduated annual loan repayment assistance up to 4 years: $1,500 (year 1), $2,500 (year 2), $3,500 (year 3), and $4,500 (year 4), conditional on remaining employed at the same school or district.

Grants State Board of Education rulemaking authority to establish award protocols, determine number of annual awards based on available appropriations, and define criteria for schools most impacted by educator shortages.