HB 405 Summary

• Establishes the "Mississippi Career-Tech Scholars Program" as a last-dollar scholarship providing financial assistance to eligible students enrolled in career and technical education certificate and associate degree programs at public community and junior colleges.

• Requires students to be Mississippi residents, enroll in a minimum of 15 credit hours in approved career-tech programs, maintain a 2.0 GPA, and apply for all available federal, state, and institutional aid to participate.

• Program benefits are nontransferable and specific to the initial college of enrollment; student eligibility ends upon earning an associate of applied science degree or completing the program's total credit hours.

• Mandates the Mississippi Development Authority, Community College Board, and Workforce Investment Board to collaborate on identifying eligible occupational sectors, career-tech programs, and providing workforce support services, with sector reviews every two years.

• Directs annual evaluation reports to the Legislature by September 1 and appropriates funding to the State Financial Aid Office; provides enrollment priority to military personnel if programs reach capacity.