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HB 562

Upskill Mississippi Grant Program; establish to provide last-dollar tuition assistance at community colleges for certain programs.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rodney Hall and 1 co-sponsor

Mississippi establishes MissCATEE program providing tuition-free community college for career and technical education to increase workforce access and economic opportunity.

Approved by Governor
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Bill Summary · HB 562

Legislative bill overview

HB 562 establishes the Mississippi Career and Technical Education Employability (MissCATEE) program, which provides tuition-free community college education to eligible Mississippi students. The bill aims to increase access to career and technical education by removing financial barriers to community college attendance.

Why is this important

Community college tuition costs are a significant barrier to workforce development and economic mobility for many students. By removing tuition costs, the program could increase enrollment in high-demand technical fields and help address Mississippi's skilled labor shortage while potentially boosting economic competitiveness in the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding mechanism: The bill's funding source and whether it relies on general appropriations, dedicated revenue streams, or redirected education dollars remains unclear and could face budget concerns
  • Eligibility criteria: Questions about which students qualify (income-based, academic performance, field of study requirements) and whether restrictions are appropriate or too limiting
  • Program sustainability: Whether the state can maintain long-term funding commitments and how the program scales if demand exceeds projections
  • Employer involvement: Unclear expectations for community partnerships and whether employers share responsibility for training needs versus public funding burden

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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