ND SB2037

Amends the technology occupations student loan program to provide up to $1,500 per year and $6,000 total in loan grants to graduates working in approved technology fields earning $60,000 or less annually in North Dakota.

Expands the teacher shortage loan forgiveness program to include geographical locations identified as having critical need and establishes tiered forgiveness amounts: up to $3,000 annually for four years in nonrural districts, up to $4,500 annually for four years in rural districts, and up to $6,500 annually for four years in rural/remote districts with critical need positions.

Limits teacher loan forgiveness to no more than two teachers per school district per year and prohibits individuals from receiving forgiveness under multiple programs in the same application year.

Allocates $2,863,393 in general fund appropriations for the 2017-19 biennium: $260,000 for doctorate programs, $500,000 for technology occupations loans, and $2,103,393 for teacher shortage loan forgiveness.

Requires the superintendent of public instruction to provide annual reports to legislative management on teacher loan forgiveness program usage, including distribution amounts, eligible recipients, recruitment and retention outcomes, and program effectiveness.