Education (Student Financial Aid)

This bill (LC 3571) proposed revisions to an existing scholarship program supporting tribal students pursuing computer programming education. It aimed to update eligibility criteria or funding mechanisms for the "tribal computer programming boost scholarship," directly affecting enrolled tribal students and potentially tribal educational institutions. However, the bill never advanced beyond the drafting stage, as it was placed on hold and ultimately died in process on May 23, 2025. No policy changes were enacted, as the proposed revision did not become law.

This bill aimed to establish a scholarship program for students enrolled in trades training programs (e.g., plumbing, electrical work, welding). It would have provided financial support to help cover tuition and materials for eligible students. However, the bill was withdrawn from consideration in May 2025 and did not advance to become law. The proposal never moved beyond the drafting stage.

SB 159 would create an "Educational Opportunity Fund" within Montana's coal severance tax trust. It increases the annual cap on educational tax credits from $2 million to $5 million starting in 2024, with automatic annual increases of 20% plus 50% of fund earnings. This bill directly affects taxpayers who donate to school districts for innovative programs or to scholarship organizations, allowing them to claim larger tax credits. It also removes the previous sunset provision, making the credit program permanent. The bill amends existing tax code sections to implement these changes to educational funding.

HB 509 expands Montana's educator loan forgiveness program to cover all newly hired public school teachers in the state, with priority given to those hired in schools designated as "impacted" (where critical teacher shortages exist). It allows eligible teachers to receive up to $5,000 annually in loan repayment assistance over four years ($3,000-$5,000 per year for state-funded aid, plus an additional $5,000 from schools/districts). If funding falls short, the program prioritizes teachers in impacted schools and prorates payments proportionally among them. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to applications submitted on or after that date.

SB 253 revises the administrative and certification processes for student scholarship organizations (SSOs) in Montana. The bill requires SSOs to apply for certification from the Department of Revenue and outlines specific requirements they must meet to be certified and accept tax-credit eligible donations. It mandates that SSOs allocate at least 90% of their annual revenue from eligible donations for scholarships and ensures a parent's right to select an education provider. The legislation aims to increase transparency and accountability for these organizations.