Aid for students in teaching, health care programs proposed

A bill heard by the Education Committee Jan. 25 is intended to help young Nebraskans become teachers and health care providers.

LB691, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Adam Morfeld, would provide grants to Nebraska residents with financial need who are enrolled in teaching or health care undergraduate programs at Nebraska’s public or private nonprofit colleges and universities.

The Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education would administer the grants, which would be funded by an appropriation from the Legislature. The amount has not been determined, but Morfeld said a “meaningful” grant would be $2,000 to $3,000 per student per year.

The grants, to be used for tuition, room, board, books and fees, would be allocated to the schools based on the number of bachelor’s and master’s degrees awarded in teacher education and health care profession programs the previous year. The school then would distribute the grants to students based on financial need.

Although the state’s public university system has worked to stay affordable, Morfeld said, the cost of higher education still puts it out of reach for many middle-income families. Morfeld said LB691 would reduce student loan debt for Nebraskans who seek four-year degrees in health care and education, fields that do not have high starting salaries but provide important services to society.

“We need talented teachers and health care workers if our state is to continue to prosper,” he said.

Scott Seevers, the senior vice president of enrollment management and marketing at Concordia University, spoke in support of the bill. He said the cost of a four-year degree presents a financial barrier to students in health care and education programs, leading to a statewide shortage of workers.

“I think LB691 directs the right aid at the right Nebraskans and helps the right problem and does it in the right manner,” he said. “I can attest that there are students who have a passion, a gift for teaching who ultimately steer clear of it because they are concerned about the initial compensation and debt load.”

Paula Kohles, director of financial aid at Creighton University, also spoke in favor of the bill. The state soon will face a critical shortage of nurses with advanced degrees, she said. Alleviating a student’s undergraduate debt would provide an incentive to continue his or her education in graduate school, she said.

“If we can keep their debt down, maybe they will stay on as faculty members,” Kohles said.

No one testified in opposition to the bill and the committee took no immediate action on it.