MS HB424

Creates the 2014 "Mississippi Promise" Community College Tuition Gap Pilot Program to cover tuition costs not covered by federal, state, institutional, and private aid for eligible students at Mississippi's 15 public community and junior colleges.

Eligible students must be Mississippi residents, first-time full-time enrollees within 12 months of high school graduation (or military service completion), enrolled in a minimum of 15 credit hours per semester, and maintain a 2.5 grade point average.

Program covers eligible semesters of fall 2014, spring 2015, fall 2015, and spring 2016; operates as a two-year pilot for students enrolling fall 2014 and one-year pilot for students enrolling fall 2015.

Requires Mississippi Community College Board to evaluate the program by July 1, 2015, reporting on participant numbers, costs, academic programs, and progress toward degrees or certificates.

Program is nontransferable between institutions, contingent on legislative appropriations, and automatically repeals July 1, 2016, with any remaining funds reverting to the State General Fund.