MS SB3009

Appropriates $51,650,325.00 from the State General Fund to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning for financial aid scholarship, loan and grant programs for fiscal year 2026.

Authorizes an additional $4,301,647.00 from federal funds, grants, donations, and other special source funds for the same programs.

Prohibits funding for students applying after July 1, 2025, for six specific loan and grant programs: Southeast Asia POW/MIA Grant, Public Management Graduate Internship, State Medical Education Loan, State Dental Education Loan, Graduate and Professional Degree Forgivable Loan, Health Care Professions Forgivable Loan, and Family Protection Specialist Social Worker Forgivable Loan.

Allocates $3,000,000.00 from the Education Enhancement Fund for the FAITH Scholarship Program and William F. Winter and Jack Reed, Sr., Teacher Loan Repayment Program.

Provides not more than $70,000.00 for the Speech-Language Pathologists Loan Forgiveness Program and reappropriates $250,000.00 in Education Enhancement Funds for program administration.