Employers would pay incentives to New Hampshire college graduates

The department would relaunch and run NH GRIP, publish employer guidelines, and prioritize certain employers. The program would cover graduates of eligible public or private two-year and four-year colleges authorized to grant degrees in New Hampshire. The department would prioritize employers that are small businesses headquartered or principally located in New Hampshire, and employers in fields with documented worker shortages. The bill would take effect July 1, 2026.

Participating employers would list qualifying jobs and provide yearly incentives to eligible graduates who sign an agreement. Eligible graduates would be those who finish at a qualifying New Hampshire college in May 2019 or later and take a listed job with a participating employer. An authorized employer agent must also sign the agreement. Graduates may choose to receive the incentive or have it paid to a student loan servicer. The four-year payment period would begin with the graduate's employment at the participating employer.

The department would publicize the program, report on its results, and include requested program funds in future budget requests. The department would report on participating employers and graduates, retention, program costs, and outcomes. The bill would provide $1 for outreach in each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The fiscal note says it does not provide full program funding or authorize new positions. The department would include any requests for program funding in budget requests for the two-year period beginning July 1, 2027, and later periods. The department would report each year NH GRIP is active and review its effectiveness every five years.