By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis – Missouri Governor Bob Holden unveiled a student loan forgiveness program Thursday designed to benefit graduates who enter the state's burgeoning life sciences industry.
An estimated 1,200 students who graduate with a math or science degree and who join a Missouri life sciences company could have up to $10,000 of their student loans forgiven.
Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority executive director Michael Cummins says the program benefits the state's occupational needs.
"We're going to be able to attract and retain very talented folks," Cummins said. "I also believe the Department of Economic Development and the state as a whole should be able to attract some high impact businesses; hi-technology, biotech, agribusiness, right here to Missouri."
Qualified applicants may apply for the program starting October 1.