HCS HB 26 -- LOAN REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE FOR TEACHERS (Wilson, 42)

This substitute creates a program to provide loan repayment
assistance for teachers who teach full-time in a provisionally
accredited or unaccredited school district.  The teachers must
have graduated from a nationally accredited teacher education
program with at least a 2.80 grade point average on a 4.00 scale
and must agree to teach in the district for at least the number
of years they receive assistance on any loan.  Candidates for
assistance under this program cannot participate in any other
loan repayment assistance program.  The repayment of the loans
must have begun within the last 5 years.  The principal loan
repayment amount cannot exceed $4,000 plus applicable accrued
interest.  Teachers who lose their certification, are fired, or
quit will lose the assistance on a pro-rated basis.  A teacher
whose certification is restored may have the assistance
reinstated.  The substitute has a contingent effective date,
based on the funding of the Critical Teacher Shortage Forgivable
Loan Program reaching $1 million.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Cost to General Revenue Fund of
$400,000 in FY 2002, FY 2003, and FY 2004.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:41 am