MS SB2706

Establishes the Mississippi Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (MHOPE) scholarship program to provide tuition assistance grants to eligible first-time students at public community and junior colleges, administered by the Mississippi Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board.

Limits MHOPE grants to $3,000 per academic year for students whose family income exceeds Pell Grant eligibility thresholds, with a minimum 2.0 high school GPA and ACT score of 15 (for academic programs).

Requires renewal students to maintain steady academic progress, continuous enrollment of at least 2 semesters annually, and a cumulative 2.0 GPA; limits total semester hours to 60 and completion within 3 years.

Phases out state general fund support for community college athletic programs through 10-30% reductions from 2019-2022, with funds redirected to the MHOPE scholarship program; prohibits all state appropriations for athletic programs effective July 1, 2022.

Amends Section 37-29-429 to remove "athletic fields" from eligible uses of Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College District bonds.