MS HB886

Waives tuition and mandatory student fees at state institutions of higher learning for foster children, adopted children, and wards of the state who maintain a minimum 2.25 cumulative grade point average.

Eligible students must meet entrance requirements and fall into one of three categories: currently in Department of Human Services custody in foster or residential care, adopted and living outside Mississippi, or had the department as legal custodian on their twenty-first birthday.

Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid; waiver amount is reduced if combined financial assistance exceeds total cost of attendance.

Waiver eligibility limited to four years after high school graduation or GED receipt, five years maximum after first college enrollment with satisfactory progress, and 120 university semester credit hours maximum.

Department of Human Services must report annual participation numbers by January 1; Board of Trustees must report annual graduation rates of participating students; Board must promulgate rules for program administration.