(a) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Office of Higher Education, in collaboration with the Minority Teacher Recruitment Policy Oversight Council, established pursuant to section 10-156bb, and the minority teacher recruitment task force, established pursuant to section 10-156aa, shall, within available appropriations, administer a minority educator loan reimbursement grant program for persons who meet the eligibility requirements described in subsection (b) of this section.
(b) The program shall provide student loan reimbursement grants to any person who (1) is defined as a minority pursuant to section 10-155l, (2) holds professional certification pursuant to chapter 166, and (3) is employed as an administrator or a teacher by a local or regional board of education.
(c) Any person who satisfies the eligibility requirements prescribed in subsection (b) of this section may receive an annual grant for reimbursement of federal or state educational loans (1) in an amount up to ten per cent of such person's federal or state educational loans but that does not exceed five thousand dollars in any year, and (2) for a period not to exceed ten years. Such person shall only be reimbursed for loan payments made while such person is employed by a local or regional board of education.
(d) Persons may apply to the Office of Higher Education for grants under this section at such time and in such manner as the executive director of the Office of Higher Education prescribes.
(e) Any unexpended funds appropriated for purposes of this section shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year but shall be available for expenditure during the next fiscal year.
(f) The Office of Higher Education may accept gifts, grants and donations, from any source, public or private, for the minority educator loan reimbursement grant program.
(P.A. 19-117, S. 262.)
History: P.A. 19-117 effective July 1, 2019.