This bill proposes the establishment of the North Dakota student teacher scholarship program, which aims to provide financial assistance to student teachers seeking initial teacher licensure after graduation. The state board of higher education is tasked with developing and administering the program, distributing scholarship funds to institutions with state-approved teacher preparation programs, and offering guidance to these programs. To qualify for the scholarship, students must be enrolled in a North Dakota state-approved teacher preparation program, satisfactorily progressing through their studies, and must not already hold an initial or alternate access teaching license.

Additionally, the bill includes an appropriation of $4,200,000 from the general fund to support the scholarship program for the biennium from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. Each eligible student may receive a scholarship of up to $3,000 to be applied towards their tuition and fees during the semester they are completing their student teaching experience.