MS HB154

Increases financial assistance for assistant teacher forgivable loans to cover the actual cost of six three-hour courses per year, up from three courses previously.

Removes the requirement that loans be limited to critical teacher shortage areas, making loans available to all teacher assistant applicants.

Raises the minimum required cumulative GPA for recipients from 2.7 to 2.75 on a 4.0 scale for all program-funded courses.

Eliminates the 15-course maximum limit that previously capped total financial assistance available to individual assistant teachers.

Effective date: July 1, 2018.