STEM SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

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View NCGA Bill Details2015-2016 Session
House Bill 936 (Public) Filed Thursday, April 16, 2015
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A FORGIVABLE LOAN PROGRAM FOR PROSPECTIVE STEM TEACHERS.
Intro. by Pierce, Hanes, Richardson, C. Graham.

Status: Ref To Com On Appropriations (House Action) (Apr 20 2015)

Bill History:

H 936

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Apr 20 2015 - View Summary

    Adds new Part 3 to Article 23 of GS Chapter 116. Establishes the 11-member North Carolina STEM Scholars Advisory Commission (Commission) to administer the North Carolina STEM Scholars Program (Program). Sets out provisions governing the functioning of the Commission. Establishes the Commission's powers and duties, including reviewing applications and making recommendations to the State Education Assistance Authority (Authority) for the award of loans. Creates the Program to provide a four-year forgivable scholarship loan in the amount of $6,500 per year to high school seniors committed to working as teachers of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Establishes the North Carolina STEM Scholars Fund (Fund) to be administered by the Authority. Limits Fund use to (1) loans made under the act's provisions, (2) the Authority's administrative costs, and (3) costs incurred by the Board of Governors in providing extracurricular activities to loan recipients. Sets out provisions concerning eligibility for the loans and establishes the loan terms and conditions, including forgiving the loan if the recipient teaches in a STEM subject area for three consecutive years (within seven years after graduation) at a state public school that is low-performing, or after four years of STEM teaching at a state public school or school operated by the US government in the state. Requires the UNC Board of Governors to administer extracurricular activities for participating students. Requires the Authority to report, by December 1, 2016, and annually thereafter, to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on the Fund and loans awarded from the Fund. 

    Appropriates $754,000 for 2015-16 from the General Fund to the UNC Board of Governors and $1,404,000 for 2016-17 to implement the act. Requires specified amounts of those funds to be used to provide loans, administer the Program, and for extracurricular activities.