HR 8673 — NEST Act

Summary

Native Educator Support and Training Act or the NEST Act This bill establishes scholarships, loan forgiveness plans, and training programs for students and educators who commit to teaching in Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools or other specified schools serving Indian students. The bill establishes three scholarship programs: (1) the Indian Student Educator Scholarship Program for students seeking degrees, (2) the Indian Educator Scholarship Program for Indian students seeking degrees, and (3) the Indian Educator Graduate Fellowship Program for Indian students seeking graduate degrees. Recipients of the scholarships must commit to working for a BIE school, a tribal early childhood education program, or other specified schools or agencies for the greater of three years or the number of school years that the scholarship funded. The bill also establishes loan forgiveness programs for educators and Indians who have taught for at least five consecutive years at BIE schools or local educational agencies with high percentages of Indian students. The bill extends the federal Perkins Loan Cancellation Program to educators teaching in BIE schools or in Native American language immersion programs. The bill authorizes professional development grants for Native-serving elementary and secondary schools. It also establishes the Native American Language Teacher Training Program to provide grants for institutions of higher education to develop training programs for Native American immersion and language teachers.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in House Current html August 05, 2022

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes a new Indian Educator Scholarship Program to support educators working with Indian students.

• Part B of title II of the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1031 et seq.)

  Subpart 6--Indian Educator Scholarship Program SEC. 259A. PURPOSE; DEFINITIONS. (a) Purpose.--The purposes of this subpart are-- (1) to carry out the United States trust responsibility for the education of Indian children; and (2) to provide a more stable base of education professionals with an understanding of the needs of Indian students to serve in early childhood education programs, public elementary schools and secondary schools, schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Education, the Department of Education, State educational agencies, tribal education agencies, and local educational agencies.

  The bill adds a new subpart to provide scholarships for educators serving Indian students.

• Part B of title II of the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1031 et seq.)

  SEC. 259B. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SCHOLARSHIP CONTRACTS. (a) In General.--Unless otherwise specified, a scholarship grant under this subpart shall have the terms and conditions described in this section.

  The bill establishes specific terms and conditions for scholarship grants provided under the new Indian Educator Scholarship Program.

• Part B of title II of the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1031 et seq.)

  SEC. 259C. SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNTS. In general.--A scholarship provided to a student under this subpart for a school year shall equal the amount of-- (A) the tuition of the student; (B) all other reasonable educational expenses incurred by the student in such school year, including fees, books, laboratory expenses, and other expenses as determined by the Secretary; and (C) a stipend of $800 per month.

  The bill defines the amount and structure of scholarships available under the program.

• Part B of title II of the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1031 et seq.)

  SEC. 259D. LIABILITY; FAILURE TO COMPLETE THE PERIOD OF OBLIGATED SERVICE; REPAYMENT.

  The bill establishes liability provisions for scholarship recipients who fail to fulfill their contractual obligations.

• Part B of title II of the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1031 et seq.)

  SEC. 259E. DEFERMENT OF SERVICE OBLIGATION.

  The bill allows for deferment of the service obligation under certain conditions for scholarship recipients.

Action History

1. August 05, 2022

   Introduced in House

2. August 05, 2022

   Introduced in House

3. August 05, 2022

   Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Sponsors

• Raul Ruiz · Primary

Subjects