AB 554

This bill changes certain race-based programs or requirements in higher

education. In general, the bill modifies these programs and requirements so they

apply to disadvantaged students rather than minority students.

Higher Educational Aids Board

Minority teacher loan program

Under current law, the Higher Educational Aids Board administers a minority

teacher loan program for minority students who meet certain criteria, including

being enrolled in a teaching program in a discipline with teacher shortages. A

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

Indian or Alaskan native; a Hispanic; a person of Asian or Pacific Island origin; or

a person whose ancestry includes two or more races. Under the program, HEAB may

award to an eligible student a loan of up to $10,000 per year for not more than three

years. The loan is generally repayable, but HEAB must forgive 25 percent of the loan

for each school year the loan recipient 1) is employed as a full-time teacher in a

high-demand area related to the recipient's discipline; 2) is employed by a public or

private school located in a school district in which minority students constitute at

least 40 percent of pupil enrollment; and 3) receives an educator effectiveness rating

of proficient or distinguished.

The bill changes the program so that it is available to disadvantaged students

rather than minority students. In determining whether a student is disadvantaged,

the student's race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or religion

may not be considered, either directly or indirectly. This prohibition applies to HEAB

for all purposes for which it determines whether a student is disadvantaged. The bill

also changes the criteria for loan forgiveness described in 2, above, so the recipient

must be employed by a public or private school located in a school district in which

“economically disadvantaged pupils,” defined as pupils eligible for a free or

reduced-price lunch, constitute at least 80 percent of pupil enrollment.

Minority undergraduate grants

Under current law, HEAB administers a minority undergraduate retention

grant program for minority undergraduates enrolled in private, nonprofit colleges

and technical colleges. A “minority undergraduate” is defined as an undergraduate

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). HEAB must evenly distribute program funds to private,

nonprofit colleges and technical colleges, and these receiving colleges must award

grants to eligible students on the basis of financial need.

The bill changes the program so that it is available to disadvantaged

undergraduate students rather than minority undergraduate students.

Minority student enrollment at Medical College of Wisconsin and Marquette