SB 55

This bill modifies eligibility criteria under the minority teacher loan program

administered by the Higher Educational Aids Board.

Under current law, a minority student is eligible for the minority teacher loan

program if the student 1) is a Wisconsin resident enrolled at least half-time as a

sophomore, junior, or senior in an institution of higher education located in

Wisconsin; 2) is enrolled in a program of study leading to a teacher's license in a

discipline identified as a teacher shortage area; and 3) has at least a 3.0 grade point

average. A “minority student” is defined as a student who is a Black American; an

American Indian; a Hispanic; or a person admitted to the United States after

December 31, 1975, who is either a former citizen of Laos, Vietnam, or Cambodia or

whose ancestor was or is a citizen of Laos, Vietnam, or Cambodia (Hmong). Under

the program, an eligible minority student may receive up to $10,000 in loans

annually, up to a maximum total of $30,000 in loans. The loans are generally

repayable at an annual interest rate of 5 percent, but HEAB must forgive 25 percent

of loan principal and interest for each school year that the loan recipient 1) is

employed by a public or private elementary or secondary school in the city of

Milwaukee as a full-time teacher in a high-demand area related to the recipient's

discipline; and 2) receives a rating of proficient or distinguished on the educator

effectiveness system or the equivalent in a school that does not use the educator

effectiveness system.

This bill modifies the definition of “minority student” for purposes of the

program to include any student of Asian or Pacific Island origin, not just Hmong

students; Alaskan natives; and any student whose ancestry includes two or more

races.

The bill also modifies the eligibility criteria for loan forgiveness under the

program. Under the bill, a loan recipient is eligible for loan forgiveness if he or she

is employed by a public or private school located in a Wisconsin school district in

which minority students constitute at least 40 percent of the membership.