HB 1429 Summary

• Transfers administration of the teacher loan forgiveness program from the State Board of Higher Education to the Superintendent of Public Instruction effective July 1, 2023.

• Superintendent may approve loan forgiveness for no more than two teachers per year per school district, with forgiveness amounts ranging from $3,000 to $6,500 per year for up to four consecutive years depending on school district type and critical need designation.

• Eligible applicants must have graduated from an accredited teacher preparation program, signed a contract to teach in a grade level or content area with identified teacher shortage or critical need, and have an existing student loan.

• Funds are distributed directly to lending institutions to repay outstanding loan principal balances after individuals complete one full year of teaching in North Dakota.

• Program provisions in Section 3 expire June 30, 2022, while administrator duties in Section 2 become effective July 1, 2023; prior teacher loan forgiveness program administered by higher education is repealed and funding is transferred.