MS HB1461

Establishes the "Former Collegiate Athlete Scholarship Program" to provide full scholarships to former collegiate athletes who did not complete a baccalaureate degree and enroll in teacher education programs or alternative teaching licensure routes.

Eligibility requires completion of at least two semesters as a student athlete and written commitment to teach in Mississippi public schools upon graduation; scholarship covers tuition, room, meals, books, materials, and fees up to the highest cost assessed by state institutions of higher learning.

Full-time students may receive up to three annual scholarship awards; part-time awards and completion timelines to be determined by joint rules from the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and State Board of Education.

Scholarship recipients must serve as licensed teachers in Mississippi public schools for periods ranging from one to five years depending on number of awards received, or become liable to repay all funds plus interest accrued at Stafford Loan rates plus attorney fees if applicable.

Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning serves as administering agency; if funds are insufficient, awards are allocated first-come, first-served with priority given to prior recipients.