The proposed bill, Substitute Bill No. 7168, aims to enhance teacher recruitment and retention in Connecticut by establishing a tuition assistance program and a scholarship program for aspiring teachers. Effective July 1, 2025, the bill defines "eligible students" as those who meet specific academic and financial criteria, including maintaining a "B+" GPA, being classified as in-state students, and enrolling in a teacher preparation program at a public institution. The Department of Education is tasked with creating a tuition assistance program that will cover the remaining tuition costs for eligible students who commit to teaching in public schools for at least five years after graduation. The program will be limited to fifty students per semester and will not replace existing financial aid.

Additionally, the bill introduces a scholarship program for teachers who complete an alternative route to certification and wish to pursue a master's degree in education. This scholarship will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and will be available starting in the fall semester of 2026. The Department of Education is required to provide annual reports on both the tuition assistance and scholarship programs, detailing enrollment numbers, financial assistance provided, and completion and employment rates. The bill appropriates five million dollars from the General Fund for the tuition assistance program for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.