State lawmakers consider bill to help college students offset cost of learning skilled trades

PINE BELT, Miss. (WDAM) - State lawmakers are considering legislation to address Mississippi’s ongoing workforce shortage.

If passed, Senate Bill 2522 would establish the Upskill Mississippi Grant Program.

“For individuals, specifically adults over the age of 24, who are interested in going to school to pursue programs that are in what we call priority occupational areas,” Courtney Taylor, executive director of Accelerate Mississippi, said.

The grant money would be available to students enrolled at community colleges.

Accelerate Mississippi will decide which degrees and certifications qualify.

“We would focus more on your shorter-term programs for areas like maybe machining or electricians because we’re short of those,” Taylor said.

The legislation would provide “last-dollar scholarships to help students cover remaining costs after financial aid and other scholarships are applied.

Eligible students would also receive a $500 annual stipend for things like books, transportation and child care.

“The scholarship amount will vary by student and their specific situation, but the average we’re going with is about $1,200 per student,” Taylor said.

Jones College offers several workforce and technical programs.

As of 2023, health care, commercial truck driving and heating, ventilation and air conditioning are among its top programs.

“Mississippi’s economy is growing pretty rapidly, very well, so there are going to be opportunities,” Jones College President Jesse Smith said. “It’s a very unique time for the state.”

Some of those classes can cost as low as $100, while others are as high as $3,500.

Smith said many older students could use the extra help, especially those juggling other responsibilities.

“This is designed to take the burden off of you financially so you can focus on getting the training, because it’s going to take time away from other things,” Smith said.

Taylor said the program should be rolled out by spring 2027 if the bill is signed by Gov. Tate Reeves.

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