MS HB409

Establishes a scholarship program administered by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning for law students at University of Mississippi School of Law or Mississippi College School of Law who commit to working as attorneys for a Mississippi branch of the Legal Services Corporation after graduation.

Annual scholarship awards equal the total cost of tuition and fees at the University of Mississippi School of Law and may be used to pay all or part of law school education costs.

Recipients must maintain a "C" average or higher in law school coursework to continue receiving the scholarship, and must render at least four continuous years of service as an attorney for a Mississippi Legal Services Corporation branch after graduation.

Scholarship recipients who fail to complete law school or fail to complete the required four-year service obligation become immediately liable to repay all scholarship awards received plus interest at the current Stafford Loan rate, and may be charged reasonable attorney's fees if the claim is placed in collection.

Takes effect July 1, 2011.