The bill, Substitute House Bill No. 5418, revises the Kirklyn M. Kerr Program at the University of Connecticut (UConn), which supports in-state residents pursuing veterinary medicine education at accredited out-of-state veterinary schools. Key changes include the establishment of a grant system that operates as forgivable student loans, where recipients are not required to repay the loan if they remain state residents and practice as veterinarians in Connecticut for at least five years after graduation. The bill specifies that each grant will cover the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition for a four-year period, with 20% of the loan forgiven annually during the five years of required practice.

Additionally, the bill mandates UConn to enter memoranda of understanding with the Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA) and the Office of Higher Education (OHE) regarding the administration of these loans and the use of funds. It also establishes a nonlapsing "Kirklyn M. Kerr" account to manage the financial resources allocated for the program. The effective date for the changes to the program is set for July 1, 2027, while the provisions related to the MOUs and the new account will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
HED Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference:
APP Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 665: