(Washington) — A new bill before the U.S. Senate aims to address teacher workforce shortages in rural communities.

Virginia Senator Tim Kaine is co-sponsor of the Rural Educator Support and Training Act, which would offer scholarships, loan forgiveness, and professional development opportunities to educators who commit to work in rural schools.

Kaine says The REST Act would provide scholarships to prospective teachers who commit to at least three years in a rural school, while offering relief to educators burdened by high student loan payments.  Teachers who agree to work in a rural school for at least five years could qualify for loan forgiveness.

Kaine says rural areas continue to lose qualified teachers to “neighboring localities that can afford to pay more.”