Mississippi Senate Bill SB2055

Mississippi 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/23
• Refer: 1/9/23
• Failed: 1/31/23

Caption

Higher Education Legislative Plan; revise eligibility and repeal MTAG and Eminent Scholars Grant Program.

Impact

The bill revises the income thresholds for receiving state-funded tuition assistance. Under the new provisions, students from families with an annual adjusted gross income (AGI) of $30,000 or less are eligible for full tuition coverage, while those from families earning between $30,000 and $45,000 receive half tuition coverage. Students from families earning between $45,000 and $55,000 will get 25% of their tuition covered. This structure aims to be more accommodating to lower-income families, thereby increasing access to higher education for those who may struggle to afford it.

Summary

Senate Bill 2055 aims to amend and restructure the state's tuition assistance programs for students pursuing higher education. The bill seeks to repeal the Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant Program and the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant Program. Instead, it establishes the Higher Education Legislative Plan Grant Program, which outlines specific eligibility requirements and financial assistance for qualifying students based on their family income levels. The repealed programs were seen as somewhat outdated and were replaced with a framework intended to better serve the needs of students in the current economic climate.

Contention

A notable point of contention arises from the amendment requiring a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 for students to be eligible for participation in the program. Critics may argue that this raises the bar too high, potentially excluding deserving students who may not meet this GPA threshold due to varying circumstances. Supporters, on the other hand, argue that this requirement encourages academic excellence and responsibility among students. Overall, the bill represents a significant shift in how Mississippi intends to support its college and university students, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.