By: Associated Press

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – A funding bill for student financial aid and other Nebraska education programs has advanced to a final vote in the Legislature.

Lawmakers gave second-round approval Tuesday to a measure that would distribute state lottery revenue among various education programs.

Most of the money would cover the cost of need-based financial aid for undergraduate college students in Nebraska.

Other recipients would include a loan forgiveness program for Nebraska teachers and financial aid for community college students who study in certain high-need fields. Some money would go toward innovation grants designed to help schools experiment with new ways of teaching.

Sen. Kate Sullivan of Cedar Rapids, chairwoman of the Education Committee, has said lawmakers plan to conduct a study this year looking at college affordability.  The bill is LB519