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 admitted to or enrolled in a State-approved teacher education program at an accredited institution of higher education in Tennessee. (d) Not be a licensed teacher, and not be employed, or previously employed, in a teaching position. (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) Submit to TSAC a letter of recommendation attesting to the student’s commitment to teaching from an official of the teacher education program to which the student has been admitted. (g) Not accept any financial aid that carries with it a conflicting service obligation. For the purposes of this program, participation in the Minority Teaching Fellows Program shall be considered as accepting aid that carries a conflicting service obligation. (h) Submit a completed TSAC-approved application to TSAC by the established deadline. (i) Submit to TSAC copies of all official college transcripts and the most recent test scores. (j) 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 when he or she has obtained a teaching position, changed teaching assignments, or terminated teaching service. (k) 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.