MS HB1179

Creates the "William F. Winter and Jack Reed, Sr., Teacher Loan Repayment Program" administered by the State Financial Aid Board to provide loan repayment assistance to new teachers in Mississippi public schools.

Limits initial awards to 150 eligible first-year teachers annually, with priority given to those teaching in designated critical teacher shortage areas; renewal applicants receive priority in subsequent years.

Provides annual loan repayment awards of $1,500-$3,500 for teachers in non-shortage areas and $4,000-$6,000 for teachers in critical shortage areas, with higher amounts for continued service in shortage areas.

Requires applicants to have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, a standard five-year teaching license, and outstanding undergraduate educational loans; excludes those with prior forgivable loan program funds or delinquent loans.

Repeals five existing teacher loan and scholarship programs (Assistant Teacher Forgivable Loan Program, Teacher Education Scholars Forgivable Loan Program, William F. Winter Teacher Forgivable Loan Program, Mississippi Teaching Fellows Forgivable Loan Program, and Teacher Education Alternate Route Certification Scholars Program) and establishes a dedicated special fund for the new program, effective July 1, 2021, with the program set to expire July 1, 2024.