Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

Mississippi Senate Bill SB2694

Introduced
1/17/22  
Refer
1/17/22  

Caption

Community/Junior College Grant Program; establish to provide financial aid to community/junior college students.

Impact

Under the bill, the Mississippi Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board will oversee the grant program, including setting eligibility requirements and administering grants, which can be awarded up to $3,000 per academic year. These grants are designed as last-dollar scholarships, meaning they will supplement any other federal or state financial aid the student receives. The availability of grants is contingent on appropriations, and the program is set to begin in the 2023-2024 academic year.

Summary

Senate Bill 2694 establishes the Mississippi Grant Program for Community and Junior College Students. This legislation aims to provide financial assistance in the form of grants to eligible students attending public community and junior colleges in Mississippi. The primary objective of the program is to help students cover tuition and fees not already funded by federal grants, thereby reducing the financial burden of pursuing higher education in the state.

Contention

One notable aspect of SB2694 is the focus on maintaining grant funding through allocations from community and junior college athletic programs, which may raise debates about the prioritization of athletic versus academic funding. Additionally, there are strict eligibility criteria and conditions that students must meet, including academic performance standards and residency requirements. This could lead to concerns about the accessibility of these funds for lower-income students and the implications for student equity within the state's education system.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

MS SB3012

Appropriation; Community and Junior Colleges Board - Support for community and junior colleges.

MS SB3010

Appropriation; Community and Junior Colleges Board - Support for community and junior colleges.

MS SB3016

Appropriation; Community and Junior Colleges Board - Support for community and junior colleges.

MS SB2527

Mississippi Resident Promise Grant Program; create to provide financial assistance to community college students.

MS SB3012

Appropriation; Community and Junior Colleges Board - Support for community and junior colleges.

MS SB2011

Appropriation; Community and Junior Colleges Board - Support for community and junior colleges.

MS HB845

Tuition waiver; provide for certain foster and adopted children and wards of the state to attend community or junior colleges.

MS HB147

"Mississippi Promise Scholarship Act of 2022"; establish to provide tuition assistance for tuition-free community and junior college attendance.

MS HB1311

Community and junior colleges; authorize board of trustees to reduce or waive out-of-state tuition for certain students.

MS HB81

Community and junior colleges; authorize boards of trustees to reduce or waive out-of-state tuition for certain students.

Similar Bills

MS HB557

"Mississippi Promise Scholarship Act of 2024"; establish to provide tuition assistance for tuition-free community college attendance.

MS HB201

"Mississippi Promise Scholarship Act of 2023"; establish to provide tuition assistance for tuition-free community college attendance.

MS HB147

"Mississippi Promise Scholarship Act of 2022"; establish to provide tuition assistance for tuition-free community and junior college attendance.

MS HB341

"Mississippi Promise Scholarship Act of 2025"; establish to provide tuition assistance for community college attendance.

MS SB2528

Reconnect Grant Program; create.

MS SB2488

Mississippi Promise Scholarship Act; enact and provide certain provisions of.

MS SB2373

Skilled Nursing Home and Hospital Nurses Retention Loan Repayment Program; establish.

MS HB1277

Mississippi Dual Credit Scholarship Program; create.