FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2004
Contact:  Erin K. Kelly
(717) 846-2828
ekelly@pasen.gov
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Legislature Passes Waugh's Agriculture Education Loan Forgiveness Bill

Bill now goes to Governor for Signature

HARRISBURG – Sen. Mike Waugh's Senate Bill 673, which expands the Agriculture Education Loan Forgiveness Act of 1992 to include loan forgiveness for teachers of agricultural education, received final approval by the legislature Friday night.

"Teachers are a vital resource for those who are interested in an agricultural career," Sen. Waugh said.

"With agriculture being the state's top industry, an ever-changing and technologically advancing industry, we need to ensure that Pennsylvania has the best teachers to train the agriculture producers of tomorrow."

Currently, the Act provides for loan forgiveness in the amount of up to $2000 per year, a maximum award of $10,000, for agriculture and veterinary medicine graduates who return to the farm or practice large animal veterinary medicine in Pennsylvania.

To be eligible for loan forgiveness, a teacher of agricultural education must:

• hold a current Agriculture Certificate, as defined by the Department of Education,
• be engaged in the first year of full-time employment teaching an agricultural curriculum at a public or private school (grades K-12),
• and have borrowed through the PHEAA-administered Guaranteed Student Loan Program for an institution of higher education within the Commonwealth.

An amendment in the House eliminated the requirement that an individual employed in the Commonwealth on a family farm or in a mixed veterinary practice have received their degree from an accredited college or university within the Commonwealth.

Among the supporters of SB673 are the Pennsylvania State Grange, PennAg Industries Association, The Pennsylvania State University, Delaware Valley College, the Horticulture Trade Alliance, and the Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators.

SB 673 now heads to the Governor's desk for his signature.