MS HB127

Waives tuition and mandatory student fees at Mississippi state institutions of higher learning for foster children, adopted children, and state wards who maintain a 2.25 GPA and meet entrance requirements.

Eligibility applies to students currently in Department of Human Services custody in foster or residential care, adopted children, or those for whom the department was legal custodian at age 21.

Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and can receive the waiver for up to four years after high school graduation and five years after first admission, with a maximum of 120 semester credit hours.

Requires the Department of Human Services to confirm student eligibility upon request and prohibits waiver amounts from exceeding total cost of attendance when combined with other financial aid (excluding loans and work-study).

Mandates annual reporting by the Department on participating student numbers and by the Board of Trustees on graduation rates; effective July 1, 2017.