Missouri lawmakers are debating an expansion of a college scholarship for top students that is designed to keep more of them in the state after graduation.
A proposal under consideration would add a forgivable loan component to the Bright Flight program.
Each year a student works in Missouri after school would count toward one year of loan forgiveness. Leaving before the loan is repaid would require repaying the loan with interest.
Money for the new program was included in the House budget plan, but the Senate Appropriations Committee is scheduled this week to consider whether the funding should remain. Lawmakers have until May 9 to pass all budget bills.
Legislation to enact the loan program was passed by the House and debated in the Senate last week.