Senate Bill 2766

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-143-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING SHALL WAIVE ANY REIMBURSEMENT OR IN-STATE SERVICE REQUIREMENTS FOR TUITION PAID UNDER A REGIONAL COMPACT AGREEMENT FOR THE EDUCATION OF MISSISSIPPI RESIDENTS AT HEALTH-RELATED PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS NOT LOCATED IN MISSISSIPPI; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 37-143-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-143-15. The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning is authorized and empowered to establish loan or scholarship programs of like character, operation and purpose to the foregoing enumerated programs to encourage the participation of eligible worthy persons in courses of instruction in its institutions, and in furtherance of such power and authority is authorized: to adopt and implement rules and regulations declaring and describing the goals and objectives of such loan or scholarship programs; to establish the eligibility requirements for entry into such program and required for continuing participation for succeeding years; to determine the maximum amount to be made available to recipients; to delineate the terms and conditions of contracts with recipients and establish the service requirements for such contracts, if any; to enter into contracts pertaining to such programs with recipients; to enter into loan agreements and other contracts with financial institutions or other providers of loan monies for scholarship or loan participants; and to allocate and utilize such funds as may be necessary for the operation of such loan or scholarship programs from the annual appropriation for student financial aid.

In issuing rules and regulations governing the administration of the Graduate Teacher Summer Scholarship (GTS) Program, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall provide that certified teachers at the Columbia or Oakley Training Schools under the jurisdiction of the Department of Human Services shall be fully eligible to participate in said program. Provided, however, that the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall waive any reimbursement or service requirements for Mississippi residents who are recipients of tuition assistance awarded under an interstate regional compact at health-related professional schools located outside of the State of Mississippi, where there is no such school or curriculum offered in the State of Mississippi.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2005.