MS HB950

Establishes the 2015 Mississippi Works Scholarship Pilot Program to provide scholarships to Career and Technical Education (CTE) students enrolling at Mississippi public community or junior colleges to complete CTE certificates or degrees.

Administered by the State Financial Aid Office of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning; participants must be Mississippi residents, high school graduates with minimum 2.0 GPA, enrolled within 12 months of completing a secondary CTE program, and maintain a 2.5 college GPA in eligible programs (Energy, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture Business, Hospitality/Tourism, Information Technology, Construction, and Transportation/Logistics).

Requires students to apply for and accept all available federal, state, and institutional aid before receiving program funds; program is non-transferable between institutions and students who change programs lose eligibility.

Provides for business/industry mentors to assist students with college admissions, transition to postsecondary education, and timely graduation; mentors selected and matched by individual colleges.

Program operates for fall 2015, spring 2016, fall 2016, and spring 2017 semesters only; Mississippi Community College Board must evaluate and report to the Legislature by July 1, 2016; section automatically repeals July 1, 2017.