Eligibility

(1) The successful applicant must meet all of the following criteria: (a) Be a citizen of the United States. (b) Be a resident of Tennessee as defined by regulations promulgated by the Tennessee Board of Regents. (c) Be a minority. (d) Be admitted to or enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education in Tennessee from which credits earned are recognized by the State to be applicable to a teacher certification program. Awards may also be granted to students admitted to or enrolled in an accredited two-year institution of higher education, provided that a plan of study is pursued which is transferable to a college or university in Tennessee and will lead to licensure, which will then be used to teach in a public school at a prekindergarten, kindergarten, elementary, or secondary level in the State, provided that the plan of study can be completed within a four-year period calculated from the date of the first disbursement. (e) Submit to TSAC a signed Promissory Note to teach full-time in a Tennessee public prekindergarten, kindergarten, elementary or secondary school one (1) year for each year an award is received, or repay the loan should they fail to fulfill the teaching requirements. (f) Not accept any financial aid that carries with it a conflicting service obligation. For the purposes of this program, participation in the Tennessee Teaching Scholars Program shall be considered as accepting aid that carries a conflicting service obligation. (g) Submit a completed TSAC-approved application to TSAC by the established deadline. (h) Submit to TSAC copies of all official transcripts and the most recent test scores. (i) Submit an essay on “Why I Chose Teaching as a Profession” as outlined in the MTFP application guidelines. (j) Submit to TSAC two letters of recommendation attesting to the student’s commitment to teaching: one personal recommendation and one from a school official. (k) Agree to inform TSAC in writing when any change occurs in name, address, or school enrollment, and provide supporting documentation. After obtaining teacher licensure, the recipient shall continue to notify TSAC of any change in name or address, and MINORITY TEACHING FELLOWS PROGRAM CHAPTER 1640-01-13 when he or she has obtained a teaching position, changed teaching assignments, or terminated teaching service. (l) Not owe a refund or repayment on any grant, and is not in default on any loan, received at any postsecondary institution, under the provisions of Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.