Representative proposes making first-year TOPS payment a forgivable loan; committee debate follows
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Summary
Rep. Egan proposed turning the first-year TOPS payment into a forgivable loan, forgiven upon graduation within five (author indicated openness to six) years or completion of a specified technical credential; witnesses and members raised concerns that scholarships are not typically repaid and urged coordination with related bills and studies.
Representative Egan introduced a bill that would treat the first-year TOPS payment as a loan that becomes forgivable if the student completes a degree (or approved credential) within five years; during questioning he signaled openness to amending the period to six years if data supported that timeline. Egan said the change would encourage deliberation about post‑high‑school choices and steer some students toward community‑college pathways where appropriate.
Opponents including Dr. James Caillier argued that scholarships are not repaid traditionally and warned repayment could create barriers to degree completion. Committee members asked whether the repayment proposals should wait for the HR 17 study; Representative Egan said he would coordinate with Rep. Bamberg and would be amenable to deferral or amendment to align exemptions.
The author did not request immediate committee action and indicated willingness to work with stakeholders on exemptions and timelines.
Provenance: topic introduced SEG 2539; debate and testimony SEG 2548–2857.
Speakers attributed: Representative Egan; James A. Collier; Representative Freiburg.
Ending: Rep. Egan indicated willingness to defer or amend the bill and to coordinate with related measures; no final committee action was recorded on this measure at the meeting's close.
