Senate Bill 2786

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-106-14, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR PRIORITY FUNDING FOR THE HIGHER EDUCATION LEGISLATIVE GRANT PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-106-14, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-106-14. (1) The Legislature may appropriate funds annually to implement, administer and make awards under the programs provided for in this chapter. The board may seek, accept and expend funds from any source, including private business, industry, foundations and other groups as well as any federal or other governmental funding available for this purpose.

(2) Subject to the availability of funds, it is the intent of the Legislature to first fund grant awards to eligible students through the Higher Education Legislative Grant Program as established in Section 37-106-75. If funds are insufficient to fully fund grant awards to eligible students for all programs, grant awards for the Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant Program under Section 37-106-29 and the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant Program under Section 37-106-31 shall be * * * ~~prorated~~ reduced in equal amounts per student among all eligible students. No student shall receive any combination of student financial aid in excess of the cost of attendance. After grant awards are made, it is the intent of the Legislature to fund forgivable loan awards to eligible renewal students and then to eligible new students on a first-come, first-served basis.

(3) At the end of the fiscal year, any unexpended balances appropriated by the Legislature for the implementation or administration of programs provided for in this chapter shall not lapse into the State General Fund, but shall carry over and be available for expenditure in the succeeding fiscal year, subject to appropriation therefor by the Legislature.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2018.