RI H7458

Establishes the Shortage Teaching Fields Tuition Assistance Fund within the Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner to help pay tuition, room, board, fees, and other attendance costs for students pursuing teaching degrees in shortage areas

Defines shortage teaching fields as subject areas experiencing critical educator shortages, including science and mathematics for grades 7-12, with the list to be updated at least every two years

Requires recipients to complete at least 3 years of full-time teaching in a shortage field at any Rhode Island elementary or secondary school; failure to complete the degree program or service requirement converts assistance to a loan

Applicants are not required to be Rhode Island residents or submit SAT/AP test scores; funds cover costs remaining after all other financial aid is applied

Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner must submit annual reports by August 1 (beginning 2027) to legislative leadership and the governor detailing number of recipients, dollars disbursed, shortage fields covered, and institutions attended