MS HB1484

Waives tuition and mandatory student fees at Mississippi public community or junior colleges for foster children, adopted children, and wards of the state under age 21 who meet entrance requirements and maintain a 2.25 minimum cumulative GPA.

Eligible students must be currently in Department of Human Services custody in foster or residential care, or be adopted children, or have had DHS as legal custodian on their 21st birthday.

Limits waiver eligibility to 4 years after high school graduation or GED receipt, 3 years after first college admission, and a maximum of 60 semester credit hours.

Requires students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid; reduces waiver amount if total financial assistance exceeds cost of attendance (excluding loans and work-study).

Mandates Department of Human Services to report annual participation numbers to the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges and Legislature; Board must report annual graduation rates; effective July 1, 2012.