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MississippiSB 30602026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Appropriation; IHL - Student Financial Aid.

Sponsored By: Hopson

Signed by Governor

Appropriations EAppropriations AAppropriations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.

No new applicants for certain forgivable loans

Starting July 1, 2026, the state stops funding first‑time applicants to seven named programs. The list includes medical and dental education loans, health care professions forgivable loans, the social worker forgivable loan, the Southeast Asia POW/MIA Grant, and the Public Management Graduate Internship. This applies only to people who first apply after July 1, 2026.

No official transcript if you owe

Colleges that get this funding cannot issue an official transcript if you have any repayment in arrears that day. This applies to public and private schools that receive money under this law. Effective July 1, 2026.

FY2027 funding for Mississippi student aid

For July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027, the state funds student aid with about $56.9 million. It provides $47.26 million from the state and $9.64 million from federal and other sources. $5.1 million goes to HELP, Eminent Scholars, and Resident Tuition Assistance grants. $3.0 million supports FAITH scholarships and the Winter/Reed teacher loan repayment, plus up to $500,000 reappropriated if unspent from June 30, 2026. Up to $70,000 funds the Speech‑Language Pathologists Loan Forgiveness Program.

Funding cap for new optometry students

The state may fund up to ten new entering optometry students, if qualified applicants exist. It also continues support for returning optometry students who got funding last year. Funding is limited to the amount needed for these students.

New rules for state college aid

The HELP grant uses an income test: under $42,500 for a family with one child under 21; add $5,000 for each extra child under 21. You can get only one state undergraduate grant per term; if eligible for more than one, you get the larger one. You must show you still qualify at the end of each regular term to keep state aid. When money is divided, students who meet the Section 37‑106‑39 eligibility get priority. These rules apply starting July 1, 2026.

Reporting and purchasing rules for aid office

The aid office must report each year to lawmakers within 10 days of the next session, listing recipients, award totals and averages, students by school, and loan repayment status and receipts. Its FY2028 budget request must use the same detailed format as FY2027. Funds paid as fees or deposited in banks must follow Mississippi Constitution Section 109 and Code 25‑4‑105. When bids are tied, or when buying without bids, the agency prefers Mississippi Industries for the Blind.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Hopson

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Nicole Boyd

    Republican • Senate

  • Albert Butler

    Democratic • Senate

  • DeBar

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Scott DeLano

    Republican • Senate

  • Rita Potts Parks

    Republican • Senate

  • Benjamin Suber

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 342 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 121 • No: 0

House vote • 3/12/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 120 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/19/2026

Passed

Yes: 51 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    4/8/2026legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/2/2026House

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/2/2026Senate

  4. Conference Report Adopted

    3/29/2026Senate

  5. Conference Report Adopted

    3/29/2026House

  6. Conference Report Filed

    3/27/2026Senate

  7. Conference Report Filed

    3/27/2026House

  8. Conferees Named Oliver,Cockerham,Scoggin

    3/19/2026House

  9. Conferees Named Hopson,Parks,Boyd

    3/19/2026Senate

  10. Decline to Concur/Invite Conf

    3/17/2026Senate

  11. Returned For Concurrence

    3/13/2026House

  12. Passed As Amended

    3/12/2026House

  13. Amended

    3/12/2026House

  14. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    3/11/2026House

  15. DR - TSDPAA: AP To A4

    3/11/2026House

  16. DR - TSDPAA: A4 To AP

    3/11/2026House

  17. Referred To Appropriations E;Appropriations A

    2/24/2026House

  18. Transmitted To House

    2/23/2026Senate

  19. Passed

    2/19/2026Senate

  20. Committee Substitute Adopted

    2/19/2026Senate

  21. Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

    2/18/2026Senate

  22. Referred To Appropriations

    2/17/2026Senate

Bill Text

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