House Bill 729: STRIDE Scholarship Program

February 2, 2023March 1, 2023 Bill Tracker

Latest Action

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The Senate Education Committee failed to take action on HB 729 by the February 28 deadline, causing this bill to die in committee.

Explanation of the Bill

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House Bill 729 would establish the STRIDE Scholarship Program, which would provide funding for high school students to complete dual-credit courses, overload courses, challenge courses, alternative learning opportunities (e.g., internships), and college and career-related examinations. 

HB 729 would also amend the Learn to Earn Act (Section 31-71-7) to require school districts to adopt a policy regarding alternative learning opportunities. 

STRIDE Scholarship Program

The STRIDE Scholarship Program would include three components: the College Scholarship Program, the Opportunity Scholarship Program, and the Graduation Scholarship Program.

The College Scholarship Program and Opportunity Scholarship Program

The College Scholarship Program and Opportunity Scholarship Program would award funding for high school students to complete dual-credit courses at public community or junior colleges. The former would provide funding for academic courses, while the latter would provide funding for career and technical education (CTE) courses. Scholarships would amount to $150 per semester credit hour for academic courses, and $250 per semester credit hour for CTE courses. Scholarships would be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The funds would be credited directly to the college providing instruction. Both programs would be administered by the Mississippi Community College Board.

There are numerous high schools around the state that partner with local community and junior colleges to offer dual-credit programs. However, most (if not all) of these programs require students to pay the cost of tuition for their college courses. HB 729 would remove this cost barrier, potentially increasing enrollment in dual-credit courses. 

The Graduation Scholarship Program

The Graduation Scholarship Program would award funding for students in grades 7-12 to complete “overload” courses, “challenge” courses, alternative learning opportunities (e.g., internships), college entrance exams, career and technical certification/licensure exams, or postsecondary credit-bearing exams (e.g., AP exams). HB 729 offers a vague definition for overload courses, only stating that the course must “be offered by an accredited provider” and “be taught by an individual certified to teach…in Mississippi.” It does not provide a definition for challenge courses.

Scholarships under the Graduation Scholarship Program would amount to $225 per overload course; HB 729 does not specify a maximum scholarship amount for the other types of courses or examinations. Scholarships would be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The funds would be credited directly to the participating education providers. The program would be administered by the Mississippi Department of Education. 

Funding for all three scholarship programs would be subject to appropriation. If the program is not funded through the budget, it will not have an effect. 

Changes to the Learn to Earn Act 

The Learn to Earn Act, established in 2020, authorized local school boards to adopt a policy to create alternative learning opportunities, such as internships and apprenticeships. HB 729 would require the adoption of such a policy.  

School districts currently have the ability to establish alternative learning opportunities but may have little incentive to do so. Amending the Learn to Earn Act to require school districts to implement these opportunities, and providing funding for these opportunities through the Graduation Scholarship Program, could result in a higher rate of participation.