OH HB577

Establishes the Ohio STEM Gateway Program requiring each public secondary school to partner with at least one public college to develop thirty-credit hour pathways in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and health care fields.

Requires colleges to award one-year technical certificates to students who complete gateway pathways.

Establishes the Ohio STEM Retention Program providing eligible students with annual tuition waivers of $2,000 for up to three academic years when enrolling in approved associate's or baccalaureate degree programs at public colleges.

Establishes the Ohio IT Promise Program offering up to $4,000 in student loan forgiveness to individuals who participate in the STEM Retention Program, graduate with an approved certificate or degree in STEM or health care fields, and maintain continuous Ohio residency for five years after graduation.

Appropriates $75,000,000 for the Ohio STEM Retention Program and $100,000,000 for the Ohio IT Promise in fiscal year 2022, with unexpended balances reappropriated for fiscal year 2023.