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MississippiSB 30602026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Appropriation; IHL - Student Financial Aid.

Sponsored By: W. Briggs Hopson III (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Appropriations EAppropriations AAppropriations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

More funding for Mississippi student aid

For fiscal year 2027, Mississippi provides $47.3 million in state funds and authorizes $9.6 million from federal and other sources for student aid and office operations. The law sets aside $5.1 million for three grant programs and $3 million for the FAITH Scholarship and teacher loan repayment programs. It also reuses up to $500,000 for those two programs, limited to the unspent balance on June 30, 2026, and the money must keep its original purpose. The law does not set individual award amounts.

Income limit for a college grant

For the Higher Education Legislative Plan Grant’s financial-need test, a family with one child under 21 must have annual adjusted gross income below $42,500. The limit rises by $5,000 for each additional child under 21. Applicants must also meet the program’s other requirements and be found to have financial need.

New limits on student aid access

State funds cannot benefit first-time applicants after July 1, 2026, in seven named grant, internship, medical, dental, and professional loan programs. Students who applied earlier are not barred by this rule. The student aid office must fund students eligible under Section 37-106-39 first. Students can receive a state-supported undergraduate grant from only one program per term, choosing the larger award, and must show they remain eligible at the end of each regular academic-year term.

Loan forgiveness for speech pathologists

Mississippi provides up to $70,000 for the Speech-Language Pathologists Loan Forgiveness Program in fiscal year 2027. The law does not say how many people will receive help or how much any one participant will get.

Optometry funding capped at 10 new students

For fiscal year 2027, the out-of-state graduate and professional studies program can fund no more than 10 new entering optometry students, if qualified applicants are available. Returning students qualify under this rule only if they received program funding in the prior school year.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • W. Briggs Hopson III

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Nicole Boyd

    Republican • Senate

  • Albert Butler

    Democratic • Senate

  • Dennis DeBar, Jr.

    Republican • Senate

  • Scott DeLano

    Republican • Senate

  • Rita Potts Parks

    Republican • Senate

  • Benjamin Suber

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 342 • No: 0

House vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 121 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 50 • 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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