Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB234

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/28/23
• Refer: 4/28/23
• Report Pass: 1/18/24
• Refer: 1/18/24
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

A school psychologist loan program, and making an appropriation. (FE)

Impact

The bill's structure includes conditions for loan forgiveness, where recipients can have 25% of their loan forgiven for each year they work as a school psychologist in either an urbanized area or a rural county. This aspect of the legislation aims to encourage graduates to serve in areas where access to psychological services may be limited. The implementation of this loan program is centralized under the administration of the Higher Educational Aids Board, which will oversee the distribution and management of these loans.

Summary

Assembly Bill 234 is a legislative proposal aimed at establishing a loan program for school psychologists in Wisconsin. Introduced on April 28, 2023, by a group of representatives and senators, the bill intends to provide financial support to students pursuing careers as school psychologists. Eligible students who meet specific criteria, such as maintaining a minimum GPA and being enrolled in the relevant programs, can receive loans up to $10,000 annually for a maximum of three years, with a total cap of $30,000. The loan would feature a 5% annual interest rate.

Contention

The discussions surrounding AB234 may raise various points of contention, particularly regarding the focus on urbanized versus rural settings. Proponents might argue that the bill addresses a critical shortage of school psychologists in underserved areas, thereby improving student mental health services. Conversely, concerns could emerge regarding the sustainability and fiscal implications of the loan forgiveness aspect of the program, particularly how it may affect state's educational funding and allocation of resources to various districts.