SB0453: Scholarship for minority students in health care.

Legislative Summary

Scholarship for minority students in health care. Establishes the scholarship for minority students pursuing health care careers (scholarship) and the minority students pursuing health care careers fund (fund) for the purpose of providing scholarships to minority individuals who are working in an entry-level health care position involving direct patient care and wish to pursue a career as a licensed nurse in Indiana. Provides that the commission for higher education (commission) administers the scholarship program and the fund. Prescribes qualifications necessary to: (1) receive an initial scholarship; and (2) qualify for renewal of the scholarship. Requires a scholarship recipient to enter into a written agreement with the commission to: (1) use the scholarship solely to fund a course of study resulting in an associate's degree or certificate that enables the individual to practice as a licensed nurse in Indiana; (2) apply for a position as a licensed nurse in Indiana following the individual's licensure as a nurse; and (3) if hired, practice as a licensed nurse in Indiana for at least three years. Requires a scholarship recipient to repay the scholarship if the scholarship recipient fails to: (1) complete the scholarship recipient's program of study; or (2) complete the terms of the scholarship recipient's agreement with the commission. Provides that the amount of the scholarship awarded for an academic year is the lesser of: (1) the balance of the scholarship recipient's total cost of attendance for the academic year after the application of any other financial assistance for which the scholarship recipient qualifies; or (2) $4,000. Appropriates annually to the fund from the state general fund an amount sufficient to carry out the purposes of the scholarship program. Requires the commission to report to the general assembly not later than December 1, 2027, regarding the effect of the scholarship program.