What's happening
This bill creates a loan forgiveness program for licensed school social workers in New York to encourage more to serve in schools.
Why it matters
Targets school social worker shortages. By offering loan forgiveness, the bill aims to make school-based social work careers more attractive and accessible, potentially addressing gaps in mental health and support services for students.
Prioritizes retention and continued service. The program gives first priority to social workers who have already received awards and are continuing in school settings, which encourages professionals to stay in these critical roles year after year.
Considers economic disadvantage. Third priority is given to applicants who are economically disadvantaged, helping ensure that support is directed to those who may face greater financial barriers to entering or remaining in the field.
Establishes clear limits and funding dependence. Awards are capped at $10,000 per year and $50,000 total per recipient, and are subject to available appropriations, meaning the program’s reach will depend on future funding levels and may not meet all demand.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Forgive School Social Worker Loans
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Referred to higher education
- Referred to higher education
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8897
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
December 30, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ORTIZ -- read once and referred to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to establishing the New York state licensed school social worker loan forgiveness program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 679-k to read as follows:
§ 679-k. New York state licensed school social worker loan forgiveness program. 1. Purpose. The president shall grant student loan forgiveness awards for the purpose of increasing the number of school social workers serving in the state.
2. Eligibility. To be eligible for an award pursuant to this subdivision, applicants shall (a) be licensed as a social worker pursuant to article one hundred fifty-four of this chapter or certified pursuant to rules and regulations established by the department; (b) comply with subdivision five of section six hundred sixty-one of this part; and (c) have an outstanding student loan debt.
3. Priority. Such awards shall be made annually to applicants in the following priority:
(a) First priority shall be given to applicants who have received payment of an award pursuant to this section in a prior year and who have provided social work services in elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high or senior high schools in the year prior to such application;
(b) Second priority shall be given to applicants who have not received payment of an award pursuant to this section in a prior year and who have provided social work services in elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high or senior high schools in the year prior to such application; and
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14178-01-9
A. 8897 2
(c) Third priority shall be given to applicants who are economically disadvantaged as defined by the corporation.
4. Awards. The corporation shall grant awards in the value of ten thousand dollars to individuals who have provided full-time social work services in elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high or senior high schools in the year prior to such application, provided that no recipient shall receive an award that exceeds the total remaining balance of the student loan debt and that no recipient shall receive cumulative awards, pursuant to this section, in excess of fifty thousand dollars. Awards shall be within the amounts appropriated for such purpose and based on availability of funds.
5. Rules and regulations. The corporation is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of the provisions of this section. In the event that there are more applicants who have the same priority, as provided in subdivision three of this section, than there are remaining awards, the corporation shall provide in regulation the method of distributing the remaining number of such awards, which may include a lottery or other form of random selection.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.