Report Title:

UH; Hawaii Educator Loans Program; Appropriation

Description:

Authorizes the expansion of the Hawaii educator loans program to include applicants from state-approved teacher education programs outside of the University of Hawaii and the State.  Appropriates funds for the loans.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2698
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to teachers.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 304A-701, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  There is created the Hawaii educator loan program to be administered by the University of Hawaii, in partnership with a financial institution whose operations are principally conducted in Hawaii, to provide financial support to students and teachers who complete a state-approved teacher education program, which may include teacher education programs outside of the University of Hawaii and the State, and who agree to teach as a full-time teacher for a period of time to be determined by the university prior to the award of a loan, in:

     (1)  The Hawaii public school system in a hard-to-fill position including special education, regular education shortage categories, or Title 1 schools, and in one of the following capacities:

         (A)  As an elementary school teacher teaching in the field of elementary education who has met standards as set forth by the Hawaii teacher standards board; or

         (B)  As a secondary school teacher teaching in the subject area that is relevant to the loan recipient's academic major as certified by the department of education who has met standards as set forth by the Hawaii teacher standards board; or

     (2)  At a school located in a rural area in the State, as determined by the superintendent of education.

Eligibility shall be determined by the university on a competitive basis.  The amount to be loaned to a student shall be determined by the board of regents based on need for financial aid and proof of acceptance into a state-approved teacher education program [at the university].  The maximum amount of loans that a student may receive under this program shall be an aggregate amount equivalent to tuition payments and costs of textbooks and other instructional materials necessary to complete a state-approved teacher education program."

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the Hawaii educator loan program.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 2 shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:

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