Bill No.: HB0085                  Drafter:  DRN

 

LSO No.:  05LSO-0093              Effective Date:  

 

Enrolled Act No.:  HEA0132

 

Chapter No.:       247

 

Prime Sponsor:     Joint Education Interim Committee

 

Catch Title:       Teacher shortage loan repayment program.

 

Subject:  Provides loans for University of Wyoming students enrolled in teacher education programs leading to certification in special education, math and science.

 

Summary/Major Elements:

·         Establishes the teacher shortage loan repayment program for teacher education students who are residents of Wyoming or Wyoming high school graduates, enrolled as a junior in a program leading to certification in special education, math or science, and have applied for federal financial assistance;

 

·         Limits loan amounts to the cost of attendance of the approved program reduced by the amount of any federal financial assistance;

 

·         Authorizes loan repayment by teaching at least 50% of working hours as a teacher in special education, math or science in Wyoming public schools, subject to time limitations commencing the calendar month following program completion;

 

·         Requires cash repayment if recipient student fails to complete the academic program, to obtain targeted employment after certification or to obtain certification after completion of the academic program;

 

·         Delegates program administration to the Wyoming higher education assistance authority, which was transferred to the Wyoming community college commission by 2005 SF0099 (Chapter 187), and requires the commission to annually review the program and report impact of program on teacher shortage areas;

 

·         Funds the program at $400,000 from school foundation program account, with up to 5% used by the commission for program administration.

 

COMMENTS:

·         Sunsets program effective June 30, 2011;

·         Section 2(b) of the enacted bill transfers program administration if administration of the nursing loan program is transferred by 2005 enacted legislation from the Wyoming higher education assistance authority to another state agency.