CONCORD, NH – Today, the New Hampshire Senate passed SB 217-FN on a voice vote, to create a student loan forgiveness program for educators who work in rural and underserved areas. This initiative would help rural school districts recruit and retain educators by providing up to $12,000 for public school educators to pay off their college loans. The bill next goes to Senate Finance for further consideration.
Student debt assistance is one recommendation contained in a recently released legislative report that identified contributing factors to New Hampshire’s teacher shortage and outlined findings to address the crisis.
Megan Tuttle, President of NEA-New Hampshire, provided this statement following the vote:
“It’s no secret that New Hampshire is grappling with an educator shortage; the headlines are popping up across the state. Local school districts alone cannot solve this issue. SB 217 is an important state investment to help address this shortage by alleviating some of the burden of student loan debt, which can be a barrier to entry into the profession.
NEA-New Hampshire is encouraged to see strong bipartisan support for the rural and underserved area educator incentive program and we look forward to continuing to work with lawmakers to increase the pipeline of Granite State educators.”
Background:
- SB 217 was first introduced in 2023, but was retained in committee for further consideration.
- Under this bill, any educator who has qualifying outstanding student loan debt would be eligible, regardless of years of service.
- Educators at eligible K-12 public schools would include those in rural areas and/or those who work in high-poverty schools as determined by the NH Department of Education.
- The bill sets aside $3 million over two years to fund the program. Loan forgiveness awards would be offered based on the availability of funding for the program. Educators could receive a maximum of $12,000 over four years:
- First year: $1,500
- Second year: $2,500
- Third year: $3,500
- Fourth year: $4,500
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About NEA-New Hampshire
NEA-New Hampshire is the largest union of public employees in the state. Founded in 1854, the New Hampshire State Teachers Association became one of the “founding ten” state education associations that formed the National Education Association in 1857. Known today as NEA-NH, and comprised of more than 17,000 members, our mission to advocate for the children of New Hampshire and public-school employees, and to promote lifelong learning, remains true after more than 165 years. Our members are public school employees in all stages of their careers, including classroom teachers and other certified professionals, staff and instructors at public higher education institutions, students preparing for a teaching career, education support personnel and those retired from the profession.