Education (Student Financial Aid)

died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 902: Revise laws to expand education savings accounts to all students

This bill (LC 902) proposed expanding education savings accounts to cover all students in the state, rather than limiting them to specific groups like low-income or special needs students. It would have allowed families to use public funds through these accounts for private school tuition, tutoring, or educational materials. The key mechanism involved revising existing laws to remove eligibility restrictions and broaden access statewide. However, the bill died in the legislative process in May 2025 and never became law, so no policy changes were implemented.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill redirects state funds to private education via expanded savings accounts, directly impacting budget allocation and spending patterns.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands education savings accounts to all students, removing eligibility restrictions and broadening public funding access for private education options.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Funding Student Financial Aid

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died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 3571: Revise the tribal computer programming boost scholarship program

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill revises scholarship program for tribal students pursuing computer programming education, directly funding and expanding access to higher education opportunities in tech fields.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill funds computer programming education for tribal students, promoting tech skills development and digital equity in technology.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 1986: Create a trades program scholarship

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly proposes state funding for vocational scholarships, directly allocating budget resources to support education programs per its summary.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly creates scholarship funding for vocational education programs, directly advancing educational access and support for trades training students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Student Financial Aid

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 663: Revise education laws related to diversity, equity, and inclusion

HB 663 prohibits Montana public universities and eligible educational institutions from considering race, color, ethnicity, or national origin in admissions, hiring, scholarships, financial aid, or program participation. The bill bans using applicant or student demographic data for decisions and requires institutions to withhold such information from admissions officers until decisions are final. It creates a private right to sue for violations, including a fixed $4,000 statutory penalty per violation, plus compensatory or punitive damages, and waives state immunity for such cases. The bill, which stalled in committee in May 2025, would have taken effect October 1, 2026, if enacted.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits DEI considerations in admissions/hiring, restricting diversity programs in higher education, directly opposing equity-focused educational policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 159: Establish subtrust within the coal trust to increase educational tax credits

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases educational tax credit cap to $5M+ annually, providing tax relief for donors supporting schools and scholarships, directly advancing state education funding through tax incentives.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases tax credit cap for school donations/scholarships from $2M to $5M with automatic annual growth, directly expanding funding for educational programs and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 509: Revise the quality educator loan forgiveness program to expand eligibility

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands loan forgiveness for teachers, providing up to $5,000/year in aid to attract educators, especially in shortage areas, directly funding teacher retention.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Teachers

signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 253: Revise administrative and certification processes for student scholarship organizations

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enables tax-credit donations for SSOs, directing private funds toward education scholarships via tax incentives, aligning with fiscal policy for program funding.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates scholarship funding mechanism via tax-credit donations, mandates 90% allocation to scholarships, and ensures parental education provider choice - expanding access and funding pathways for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Student Financial Aid