MN HF4157

Modifies the Student Teacher Candidate Grants program to prioritize students who are student teaching in one of the ten most severe licensure shortage areas in their economic development region or belong to a racial or ethnic group underrepresented in the teacher workforce.

Establishes a student teacher grant program reserve account to hold unused funds from the dedicated $750,000 annual appropriation for underrepresented racial or ethnic groups when there are insufficient qualifying candidates.

Increases the maximum annual teacher shortage loan forgiveness amount from $1,000 to $2,000 per year, and allows teachers meeting both eligibility criteria (teaching in a severe licensure shortage area and belonging to an underrepresented racial or ethnic group) to receive up to $3,000 annually.

Raises the maximum lifetime limit for teacher shortage loan forgiveness awards from five to ten annual awards per teacher.

Repeals Minnesota Rules part 4830.9130, subparts 2 and 3, and increases the administration cost limit for the student teacher grant program from 3 to 5 percent of the appropriation.