MS SB2581

Creates the Mississippi Works Career-Tech Scholars Program as a "Last-Dollar Scholarship" to cover tuition costs not covered by federal, state, and institutional aid for eligible students in career and technical education programs at public community and junior colleges.

Requires eligible students to be Mississippi residents, enrolled in minimum 15 credit hours in approved career-tech programs, maintain a 2.0 GPA, apply for all available federal and state aid, and participate in work-based learning opportunities when available.

Designates the State Financial Aid Office of the Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board to administer the program, with the Mississippi Development Authority, Community College Board, and Association of Community and Junior Colleges identifying eligible career-tech programs.

Mandates that eligible career-tech programs be reviewed every two years to ensure jobs remain available and must align with workforce development district sectors leading to high-skill, high-wage positions; each community college must have at least one approved program.

Requires annual September 1 reporting to the Legislature on program participation, costs, enrolled programs, and participant progress; program is contingent on legislative appropriations and unfunded tuition remains the student's responsibility.