The Preparing for the Future Act would create grants for eligible students preparing to become school psychologists. Grants would be $8,000 per year, subject to available funding, and generally would be limited to $16,000 per recipient. Recipients would agree to work full time as school psychologists for at least four academic years at qualifying schools within eight years after completing their studies. Qualifying schools must have fewer than one school psychologist per 500 students and be in a district eligible for certain federal education assistance. If a recipient does not meet the service requirement, the grant would generally be converted into a federal student loan, with exceptions and a process to request reconsideration.
Eligible undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or graduate students could apply for grants if they meet academic and other requirements, attend an eligible institution, and agree to the service requirement. The grant amount would be reduced for part-time students and could not exceed the student’s cost of attendance when combined with other assistance. Schools and institutions would be involved in identifying eligible placements and administering payments.
The bill authorizes sums as necessary for the program, beginning January 1 of the year after enactment, subject to appropriations. It sets grants at $8,000 per year, with a general maximum of $16,000 per recipient. No publicly available information on a total program cost estimate.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.