Minority Teaching Scholarship Program

PURPOSE: This rule sets forth the policies of the Coordinating Board for Higher Education regarding student eligibility and application procedures for student financial assistance under the Minority Teaching Scholarship program. (1) Definitions. (A) Academic year shall be from July 1 of any year through June 30 of the following year. (B) Applicant means a student who has filed a complete and accurate application to receive a Minority Teaching Scholarship award as prescribed by the Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE) and who qualifies to receive such award under section 161.415, RSMo. (C) Approved institution means any institution that offers a teacher education program approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education or a Coordinating Board for Higher Education-approved Associate of Arts in Teaching program. (D) Award year shall be from July 1 of any year through June 30 of the following year, excluding summer terms. (E) CBHE means the Coordinating Board for Higher Education. (F) Department means the Department of Higher Education created by section 173.005, RSMo. (G) EFC means expected family contribution, the measure of how much the student and the student’s family can be expected to contribute to the cost of the student’s education for the year, as calculated annually by the United States Department of Education as a result of an official federal need analysis based on the student’s federal need-based aid application form. (H) Expenses mean any educational-related expenses including, but not limited to, tuition, fees, and room and board. (I) Full-time student means an undergraduate student who is enrolled in at least twelve (12) semester hours, eight (8) quarter hours, or the equivalent in another measurement system, or a graduate student who is enrolled in at least nine (9) semester hours or the equivalent in another measurement system, but in either case not less than the respective number sufficient to secure the degree toward which the student is working in no more than the number of semesters, or their equivalent, normally required by the institution for the program in which the student is enrolled. Provided, however, that an otherwise eligible student having a disability as defined by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. 12101–12213) who, because of the student’s disability, is unable to satisfy the statutory minimum requirements of full-time status under Title IV student aid programs shall be considered by the approved institution to be a full-time student and shall be considered to be making satisfactory academic progress, as defined in subsection (1)(P) of this rule, while carrying a minimum of six AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (6) credit hours or their equivalent at the approved institution. (J) Gainful employment means any substantial gainful activity that exists in the national economy and is not limited to the recipient’s original occupation. (K) Initial recipient means a student who qualifies under section 161.415, RSMo, has filed an accurate and complete application by the deadline established by the department for the Minority Teaching Scholarship program, and has not received a Minority Teaching Scholarship award in any prior academic year. (L) Minority teaching shall mean the Minority Teaching Scholarship program set forth in sections 161.415–161.424, RSMo. (M) Minority teaching award shall mean an amount of money paid by the state of Missouri to a qualified applicant under the Minority Teaching Scholarship program. (N) Renewal recipient means a student who received a Minority Teaching Scholarship award, who meets the requirements set forth in 161.415, RSMo, and who has filed an accurate and complete application by the deadline established by the department for the Minority Teaching Scholarship program. (O) Residency, for the purpose of this rule, shall be determined by reference to the standards set forth in the determination of student residency rule, 6 CSR 10-3.010. (P) Satisfactory academic progress shall be a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least two and one-half (2.5) on a four-point (4.0) scale, or the equivalent on another scale, and, with the exception of grade point average, as otherwise determined by the approved institution’s policies as applied to other students at the approved institution receiving assistance under Title IV financial aid programs included in the Higher Education Act of 1965. The calculation of CGPA shall be based on the approved institution’s policies as applied to other students in similar circumstances. (Q) Standardized test shall mean an accepted standardized test of academic ability including, but not limited to, the SAT, ACT, or SCAT. (R) Temporary total disability shall mean a disability resulting from an injury or illness that renders a recipient unable to be engaged in gainful employment for a period of less than twelve (12) months from the date of such injury or illness. (S) Total and permanent disability shall mean disability resulting from an injury or illness that renders a recipient unable to be engaged in gainful employment or attend an educational institution for a period of at least twelve (12) months from the date of such injury or illness and that is expected to continue for a long or indefinite period of time or to result in death. (2) Responsibilities of Institutions of Postsecondary Education. (A) Only institutions who have entered into a participation agreement with the department may receive disbursements under the Minority Teaching Scholarship program. (B) Participating institutions shall meet the following requirements: 1. Meet the requirements set forth in subsection 161.415.3, RSMo, and 6 CSR 10-2.140 Institutional Eligibility for Student Participation; 2. Provide non-state matching funds of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per scholarship recipient to match one (1) dollar for every two (2) state dollars on terms no more restrictive than those established by the department with regard to the state award and notify the department of the maximum number of awards the institution will match; 3. Report annually to the department the number of scholarship recipients that will be matched. The department shall annually prescribe the time and method for filing this report; 4. Obtain the recipient’s notarized signature on the promissory note and return the promissory note to the department prior to disbursement of any state scholarship funds; and 5. Annually report to the department the enrollment status of all scholarship recipients until they graduate or withdraw from the institution. The department shall annually prescribe the time and method for filing this report. (C) Institutions should report to the department the name of any enrolled recipient who ceases study leading to teacher certification within thirty (30) days of making this determination. (3) Basic Eligibility Policy. (A) Meet the requirements in section 173.1110, RSMo. (B) Initial or renewal recipients, at the time of application and through the period the award is received, must meet the requirements set forth in section 161.415, RSMo. (C) Initial recipients must have a high school rank at or above the seventy-fifth percentile at the time of graduation or as calculated at the end of the student’s sixth semester. (4) Application and Evaluation Policy. (A) The department shall annually prescribe the time and method for filing applications for financial assistance under the Minority Teaching Scholarship program. It shall make announcement of its action in these respects. (B) Students shall apply annually for financial assistance under the Minority Teaching Scholarship program by completing and submitting the application prescribed by the department and by completing and submitting the federal need-based aid application form prescribed by the United States Department of Education. (C) At the time of application, applicants must— 1. Indicate their first, second, and third school choices; 2. Commit to complete a teacher education program designed to qualify the applicant for a Missouri teaching certificate within five (5) years from the date of first receiving funds under the Minority Teaching Scholarship program; and 3. Teach on a full-time basis for a period of five (5) years in a Missouri public elementary or secondary school after receiving a teaching certificate if the applicant is an undergraduate student. Graduate students must commit to teach math or science on a full-time basis for a period of five (5) years in a Missouri public elementary or secondary school after receiving a teaching certificate. (D) The department will evaluate each student’s application for a minority teaching award and rank selected recipients based on the following criteria: 1. Participation in school or community activities; 2. Demonstrated leadership abilities; 3. Demonstrated academic success, including high school grade point average, high school class rank, and standardized test score; and 4. Financial need, as established by the student’s EFC as calculated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, if appropriations are not sufficient to fund all selected recipients, except the department may consider appeals to establish financial need using the EFC as calculated by the predictor tool for federal Title IV student financial aid eligibility approved by the USDE, commonly known as the FAFSA4caster, in exceptional circumstances. (E) Selected recipients will be matched in rank order with their first institutional choice until all openings at an institution are filled. If all openings are filled at the selected recipient’s first institutional choice, the selected recipient will be matched at the second or third choice, respectively. (F) Applicants will be notified of their eligibility status once recipients have been selected and awards have been determined. Notification of eligibility will also be sent to the student financial aid office at the approved institution where the student plans to enroll or has enrolled. (5) Award Policy. (A) Minority teaching awards shall be allotted for one (1) academic year. (B) A renewal recipient may continue to receive a minority teaching award for a maximum of three (3) additional years, for a total of four (4) years, so long as the applicant meets the following criteria. Awards received as an undergraduate student are included in the four- (4-) year total for graduate students. 1. Maintains satisfactory academic progress; and 2. Otherwise meets the criteria of the Minority Teaching Scholarship program. (C) Initial and renewal recipients who meet the eligibility requirements set forth in section 161.415, RSMo, and this rule shall be eligible for a minority teaching award of three thousand dollars ($3,000) per academic year, comprised of a two thousand dollar ($2,000)-state award that will convert to a loan if the recipient fails to meet the program’s obligations, and a one thousand dollar ($1,000)-institutional award. (D) A recipient who has been denied a minority teaching award for lack of satisfactory academic progress may not receive another minority teaching award until the enrollment period after the applicable standard has once again been met. (E) Minority teaching awards will be made for use during the normal academic year, but no funds for minority teaching awards will be granted for use for summer school. (F) No minority teaching awards will be made retroactive to a previous academic year. A minority teaching award will be made retroactive to a previous semester only upon the sole discretion of the department. (G) Minority teaching awards will only be made after certification of full-time attendance of the student by the institution and receipt of the signed and notarized promissory note by the department. For a student eligible as part of a consortium agreement, the student must be considered to be enrolled full-time for purposes of federal student aid. (H) Only one-half (1/2) of the annual minority teaching award will be issued in a semester of that award year. (I) The applicant’s award will be sent to the approved institution to be delivered to the student’s account. The institution shall retain the portion of the award that the student owes for expenses and promptly give the applicant any remaining funds. (J) An applicant’s failure to provide required information by the established deadlines may result in loss of the minority teaching award. (K) The CBHE has the discretion to withhold payments of any minority teaching awards after initiating an inquiry into the eligibility of a recipient or into the approved status of an institution. (L) A student may transfer from one (1) approved institution to another without losing eligibility for assistance under the Minority Teaching Scholarship program, as long as the institution to which the student is transferring is able to match the student’s state award. The student must notify the department immediately of the transfer. (6) Scholarship Forgiveness and Deferment Policy. (A) For each year, up to five (5) years, the recipient teaches in a Missouri public elementary or secondary school, one-fifth (1/5) of the amount of the state scholarship received shall be applied against the total amount of the state scholarship and shall not be subject to repayment. (B) The employer shall annually provide certification to the department the recipient holds a qualifying teaching position. (C) Recipients shall defer repayment if their qualified employment is interrupted for one (1) of the following reasons: 1. Enrollment in full-time graduate study as certified at least annually by the institution in which the recipient is enrolled; 2. Request and receipt of medical leave as certified by the recipient’s employer for a medical need certified by the recipient’s physician; 3. Service in any branch of the armed forces of the United States; 4. Teaching in areas defined as critical need by the State Board of Education; or 5. A temporary total disability resulting from an injury or illness that renders the recipient unable to teach in any subject area for which the recipient is certified. The recipient’s physician must certify the nature of the disability, the date the disability began, and the expected duration of the recovery period, not to exceed twelve (12) months. (D) The deferment of repayment shall begin on the date the recipient ceases to teach. The recipient must notify the department at the beginning and end of the interruption in employment and provide any requested supporting documentation. The recipient must also return to a qualified teaching position following the interruption. (E) Recipients must promptly report to the department any change of mailing address. (7) Repayment Policy. (A) Recipients must notify the department within thirty (30) days of a change in enrollment status or employment that would trigger repayment. (B) Recipients must promptly report to the department any change of mailing address. (C) The scholarship shall convert to a loan and the recipient shall repay the scholarship funds received from the state with interest at a rate of nine and one-half percent (9.5%) charged on the unpaid balance of the amount received if the recipient— 1. Ceases study leading to teacher certification for any reason including, but not limited to, the following. Interest shall accrue from the date the recipient ceased study leading to teacher certification until the outstanding balance of principal and interest has been paid in full. A. Change of career goal as evidenced by the nature of the postsecondary courses selected; B. Withdrawal from approved postsecondary institutions; C. Dismissal, suspension, or expulsion from a participating postsecondary institution for any reason; or D. Less than full-time enrollment in a program leading to certification to teach in a Missouri public elementary or secondary school, except less than full-time enrollment during summer terms shall not trigger repayment; 2. Fails to receive a teaching certificate within six (6) AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT months of graduation from an approved institution. Interest shall accrue from the date of graduation until the outstanding balance of principal and interest has been paid in full; 3. Fails to be hired for or accept a full-time teaching position in a Missouri public elementary or secondary school within ten (10) months of receiving certification to teach in such a school. Interest shall accrue from the date teacher certification was issued until the outstanding balance of principal and interest has been paid in full; or 4. Fails to teach in a Missouri public elementary or secondary school on a full-time basis for a period of five (5) consecutive years after receipt of a degree, except as provided in subsection (6)(C) of this rule. Interest shall accrue from the date the recipient ceases to teach until the outstanding balance of principal and interest has been paid in full. (D) The department shall mail a repayment schedule to the recipient. 1. The repayment schedule shall be based on a ten- (10-) year repayment plan. 2. The payment amount will vary depending on the total amount received plus accrued interest. Under no circumstances shall the minimum monthly payment be less than fifty dollars ($50) or the minimum annual payment be less than six hundred dollars ($600). 3. The recipient shall make the first payment no later than the last day of the month in which the repayment schedule is dated. (E) Payments shall be applied first to accrued interest with any remaining amount applied to principal. (F) Recipients shall not be subject to penalty for early repayment. (G) Recipients may defer principal and interest payments for a period approved by the department for the following reasons: 1. Enrollment in full-time study as certified at least annually by the institution in which the recipient is enrolled. The deferment shall be initiated on the date the recipient begins full-time enrollment; 2. Medical need as certified by the recipient’s physician; 3. Service in any branch of the armed forces of the United States; or 4. A temporary total disability. The recipient’s physician must certify the nature of the disability, the date the disability began, and the expected duration of the recovery period. (H) The recipients must notify the department at the beginning and end of the deferment period and submit to the department any requested supporting documentation. (I) Interest will not accrue during a deferment period. (J) Payments made during a deferment period will be applied first to any interest accrued prior to the deferment period and then to principal. (K) A recipient’s account will be in a default status when the recipient has failed to make three (3) consecutive, scheduled payments. 1. Upon default, principal and interest are due in full within one (1) year of default. 2. The department will notify the recipient of the default status by certified mail sent to the recipient’s last known mailing address. 3. The recipient shall have thirty (30) days from the date of the certified notice to make satisfactory repayment arrangements. (L) A recipient may remove the account from default status by making three (3) consecutive, on-time payments that are at least the minimum amount provided on the repayment schedule. (M) All loans in repayment, deferment, or default status will be monitored. All available legal remedies may be pursued to ensure full repayment of loans. (N) In the event a recipient becomes totally and permanently disabled as certified by a physician, the requirements of the recipient to make any further payment of principal and interest will be cancelled immediately upon approval of the request for cancellation. The recipient must apply to the department for loan cancellation and provide any requested supporting documentation. (8) Information Sharing Policy. All information on an individual’s minority teaching application will be shared with the financial aid office of the institution to which the individual has applied, or is attending, to permit verification of data submitted. Information may be shared with federal financial aid offices if necessary to verify data furnished by the state or federal governments as provided for in the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. sections 552, 552a. AUTHORITY: section 161.415, RSMo Supp. 2013.* Original rule filed June 15, 2011, effective Dec. 30, 2011. Amended: Filed June 15, 2016, effective Nov. 30, 2016. *Original authority: 161.415, RSMo 1990, amended 1996, 2010.