Bill Text: NH HB623 | 2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishing a teacher candidate loan forgiveness program.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-09-05 - Subcommittee Work Session: 09/26/2023 10:30 am Legislative Office Building 205-207 House Calendar 36 [HB623 Detail]
Download: New_Hampshire-2023-HB623-Introduced.html
HB 623-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2023 SESSION
23-0745
10/04
HOUSE BILL 623-FN
AN ACT establishing a teacher candidate loan forgiveness program.
SPONSORS: Rep. Myler, Merr. 9; Rep. Ellison, Merr. 28; Rep. Cornell, Hills. 22; Rep. Woodcock, Carr. 1
COMMITTEE: Education
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ANALYSIS
This bill establishes a teacher candidate loan forgiveness program administered by the university system for new teachers in critical teacher shortage areas of the state.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
23-0745
10/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Three
AN ACT establishing a teacher candidate loan forgiveness program.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; Teacher Candidate Loan Forgiveness Program. Amend RSA 187-A by inserting after section 24 the following new section:
187-A:24-a Teacher Candidate Loan Forgiveness Program.
I. There is established a teacher candidate loan forgiveness program to be administered by the university system of New Hampshire.
(a) An individual is eligible for a loan under this section to be used for financing the individual's cost of attendance at an institution in the university system if the individual:
(1) Is a lawful resident of the state of New Hampshire;
(2) Has successfully completed his or her sophomore year at an institution of the university system;
(3) Is enrolled in good standing at an institution of the university system as a full-time junior or senior, as determined by the institution;
(4) Is majoring in a degree program that will lead to the individual's becoming eligible for licensure as a teacher in a high needs subject area as identified by the department of education; and
(5) Has entered into a written agreement with the university system to:
(A) Teach for at least 5 consecutive years in a school or school district located in a geographic area identified by the department of education as a critical teacher shortage area beginning immediately upon obtaining licensure; and
(B) Repay each loan at an interest rate and on a schedule as determined by the university system if the individual fails to meet the requirements under this section.
(b) If the amount of funds available for the teacher candidate loan forgiveness program is insufficient to award loans to all qualified applicants under this section, the university system shall award the loans on a competitive basis.
II. Amount of Loan.
(a) The loan amounts under this section shall be $5,000 per academic year. The total amount of loans awarded to an individual under this section shall not exceed $10,000.
(b) A loan made to an individual under this section shall be for one academic year, and renewable annually until the individual graduates from the institution of the university system and receives a degree, if the individual:
(1) Continues to meet the eligibility requirements under this section, and
(2) Meets the satisfactory academic progress standards required to receive other financial aid at the institution where the individual is enrolled, as determined by the institution of the university system.
III. Loan Contract and Forgiveness.
(a) An individual who receives a loan under this section shall execute a written loan contract with the university system for the repayment of the loan as provided in this section.
(b) A loan contract executed under subparagraph (a) shall provide that the total amount of the loans awarded to the individual under this section, plus accrued interest, shall be forgiven at the rate of 20 percent per year for each year that the individual teaches in a school or school district located in a geographic area identified by the department of education as a critical teacher shortage area.
IV. Repayment and Deferment.
(a) An individual who receives a loan under this section shall immediately begin repayment of each loan the individual received, together with interest as determined by the university system, if the individual:
(1) Ceases to be enrolled in good standing at an institution of higher education in this state, unless the individual has graduated and received a degree;
(2) Does not obtain certification as a teacher from the state board of education within one year of graduating and receiving a degree;
(3) Does not begin work as a certified teacher in the academic year immediately following becoming certified;
(4) Does not teach in a school or school district located in a geographic area identified by the department of education as a critical teacher shortage area in the individual's first year as a licensed teacher; or
(5)(A) Does not teach in a school or school district located in a geographic area identified by the department of education as a critical teacher shortage area for 5 consecutive years beginning immediately upon obtaining certification.
(B) The total amount of the loans awarded to an individual that are subject to repayment under subparagraph (5)(A) shall be reduced on a pro rata basis.
(b)(1) The university system may defer the requirements under subparagraphs (a)(3)-(5) if the university system, in consultation with the department of education, determines that there was no employment position available that would reasonably enable the individual to meet the requirements.
(2) After the period of deferral, the individual shall begin or resume teaching in a school or school district located in a geographic area identified by the department of education as a critical teacher shortage area or become subject to repayment under subparagraph (a).
V. The university system of New Hampshire shall adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541A to implement this section. The department of education shall adopt rules pursuant to RSA 541-A which identify schools or school districts located in a geographic area as a critical teacher shortage area.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023.
23-0745
1/10/23
HB 623-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT establishing a teacher candidate loan forgiveness program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Due to time constraints, the Office of Legislative Budget Assistant is unable to provide a fiscal note for this bill, as introduced, at this time. When completed, the fiscal note will be forwarded to the House Clerk's Office.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
University System of New Hampshire
