Community and junior colleges; waive all tuition and costs for graduates of Mississippi high schools.

HB 354 requires Mississippi public community and junior colleges to waive all tuition, fees, housing, meal plans, and required books for graduates of Mississippi high schools who enroll for the first time. To qualify, students must be Mississippi residents, graduate within two years, meet college admission standards, and enroll in an associate degree or certificate program. The bill mandates that colleges coordinate waivers with other financial aid to avoid exceeding actual tuition costs and requires the Mississippi Community College Board to create rules for implementation. Funding for waived tuition must be appropriated annually through specific line items in the state budget, based on projected enrollment and costs. This policy directly affects recent Mississippi high school graduates pursuing associate degrees or certificates at public community colleges starting in the 2025-2026 academic year.