General

(1) Definitions. As used in these regulations (Chapter 1640-01-17): (a) Academic year: A period of time, typically nine (9) months, and is composed of two (2) semesters. (b) Act: T.C.A. § 49-4-212 as found in Public Chapter 392 of the Public Acts of 1995. (c) Default: The failure of a recipient in repayment status to make installment payments for a period of two hundred seventy (270) consecutive days. (d) Deferment: A period of time in which the student’s payments may be postponed, pursuant to Rule 1640-01-17-.05(7). TENNESSEE TEACHING SCHOLARS PROGRAM CHAPTER 1640-01-17 (e) Eligible schools: Tennessee public schools approved by the Tennessee State Board of Education in which recipients may teach for cancellation credit towards their loans at a prekindergarten, kindergarten, elementary, or secondary level in Tennessee. (f) Full-time teaching: A minimum of fifty percent (50%) of the recipient’s weekly workload is devoted to teaching, exclusive of administrative, teaching assistance, after- school programs, counseling, or other assigned duties. (g) Full year of teaching service: Two (2) semesters of full-time teaching. Recipients must teach at least ninety (90) days each semester, or one hundred eighty (180) days for the academic year. (h) Grace period: A period of one (1) year that shall begin on the date the student completes his or her plan of study. (i) Plan of study: A plan of enrollment within which the applicant may complete requirements for licensure in an eligible field of study. The plan is transferable among Tennessee higher education institutions provided such transfer is approved by the receiving institution. (j) Promissory Note: A signed statement certifying the candidate’s intent to become a teacher in a public school system of Tennessee at the prekindergarten, kindergarten, elementary, or secondary level and their obligation to repay the loan should they fail to fulfill the teaching requirements. (k) Repayment period: A period of not more than ten (10) years in which the loan will be repaid and shall begin at the end of the grace period, or when TSAC determines that the recipient has not complied with the requirements of the Act. (l) Satisfactory progress: A standard of progress toward completion of the pursued plan of study during which the student maintains at least a 2.75 cumulative grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale or, if required by the teacher education program at the institution attended, a higher cumulative GPA. (m) TSAC: Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation. (2) To be eligible for an award all undergraduate students must attend a Tennessee college or university on a full-time basis as determined by the institution’s written policies, excluding periods of internship and/or student teaching. During such periods, undergraduate students must be enrolled at least half-time, but may be enrolled less than full-time if mandated by the written policies of the educational institution. Post-baccalaureate recipients must attend a Tennessee college or university on at least a half-time basis as determined by the institution’s written policies. (3) Funds received from this program are considered financial assistance for purposes of determining student assistance eligibility under programs authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. (4) All such loans shall be evidenced by notes payable to TSAC. (5) Any applications received or approved shall be subject to the availability of funds. (6) Applications must be submitted on TSAC-approved forms by April 15, which immediately precedes the academic year for which the student is applying. The April 15 cut-off date may be extended by the TSAC Associate Executive Director for Grant and Scholarship TENNESSEE TEACHING SCHOLARS PROGRAM CHAPTER 1640-01-17 Programs should it be determined necessary for the purpose of utilizing all available funds.