Arkansas Teacher Opportunity Program (TOP)

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Teacher Opportunity Program (TOP)
Date Updated: September 2008

General Information
The Teacher Opportunity Program (TOP) offers forgivable loans OR reimbursement grants to Arkansas teachers seeking to further their education. The first priority of TOP funding is the TOP Dual Certification Incentive Program (also known as TOP Dual Licensure Loan). If funds remain, TOP Reimbursement Grants may be awarded. Eligibility requirements and application procedures vary between the two TOP programs.

TOP Dual Certification Incentive (TOP Dual Licensure Loan)
The TOP Dual Certification Incentive Program (also known as TOP Dual Licensure Loan) provides forgivable loans to teachers returning to college to receive an additional license in a subject matter declared to be a shortage area by the Arkansas Department of Education. TOP loans include funding for tuition, mandatory fees, and books. Loans may not exceed $3000 during any one academic year, with the school district providing 1/3 of the loan and the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) providing 2/3 of the loan. The recipient may receive funds for up to three (3) years. The ADHE will forgive its portion of the loan if the recipient completes the dual license within three (3) years of the initial award AND serves as a classroom teacher in an Arkansas public school for three (3) continuous years, immediately following receipt of the dual license.

Eligibility Requirements
An applicant must:
Be an Arkansas resident six (6) months prior to the application deadline;
Be a citizen of the United States or permanent resident alien;
Have and maintain a current teacher license with the Arkansas Department of Education (Individuals with a provisional license or who are in the alternative licensure program are not considered licensed for the purposes of the TOP Dual Licensure Loan);
Be employed as a classroom teacher in the same Arkansas public school district for three (3) continuous years immediately preceding application;
Be accepted in a teacher education program that will lead to an additional license in a subject area that has either:

Been declared by the Arkansas Department of Education as a subject area with a shortage of teachers; or
Received a waiver under 6-17-309, as requested by the school district;
Be selected by the local school district’s board of directors based on:

The recommendation of the building level superintendent and principal; or
The school district’s request for waiver of teacher licensure requirements under 6-17-309 because the district is unable to hire a qualified licensed teacher to fill the position.

Eligible Fields of Study
The 2009-2010 shortage areas are drama/speech(7-12), foreign language (French/Spanish), mathematics (secondary), middle childhood (4-8 math/science or 4-8 English/language arts/social studies), library media, guidance counseling, gifted talented, sciences (secondary life/earth or secondary physical/earth), and special education (deaf education, visually impaired,speech language pathologist/speech therapist, special education instructional specialist).
TOP Dual Licensure Loan applications are due January 1, 2009, for Spring 2009 and Summer I 2009. Applications are due July 1, 2009, for Summer II 2009 and Fall 2009.
Top Reimbursement Grant
If TOP funds are available at the end of the fiscal year, TOP offers tuition reimbursement grants to current teachers not participating in TOP Dual Licensure Loan. Teachers may apply for reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses paid for up to six (6) college credit hours completed between Summer 2008, Fall 2008, and Spring 2009.

Eligibility Requirements
An applicant must:
Be an Arkansas resident six (6) months prior to the application deadline;
Be a citizen of the United States or permanent resident alien;
Have and maintain a current teacher license with the Arkansas Department of Education;
Be employed as a classroom teacher or administrator in Arkansas and declare intention to continue such employment in Arkansas;
Be enrolled in an approved institution of higher education in Arkansas;
Be enrolled in a college level course(s) directly related to employment;
Have at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA in the course(s) funded by TOP Reimbursement Grant during the application period.
Courses completed during the summer and fall terms are given priority. Courses completed during the spring term are considered for reimbursement, if funds are still available. For reimbursement for the Spring 2009 term, itemized receipt and offical transcript must be submitted by June 1, 2009. All other materials must be submitted by March 1, 2009.
Receipts that are not itemized, unpaid billing statements, and unoffical transcripts will NOT be accepted.

The amount awarded will be based on the tuition, mandatory fees, books, and required supplies paid by the applicant for six (6) college credit hours completed between Summer 2008, Fall 2008, and Spring 2009. Reimbursable fees are those required of all students. Costs such as graduation fees, late fees, car registration fees, and mileage are not reimbursable. Grants may not exceed the cost of the Arkansas public institution assessing the highest rate of tuition and mandatory fees.

If necessary, licensed teachers taking courses that apply towards an additional license in a subject matter declared to be a shortage area by the Arkansas Department of Education will receive first priority. The 2009 shortage areas are drama/speech (7-12), foreign language (French/Spanish), mathematics (secondary), middle childhood (4-8 math/science or 4-8 English/language arts/social studies), library media, guidance counseling, gifted talented, sciences (secondary life/earth or secondary physical/earth), and special education (deaf education, visually impaired, speech language pathologist/speech therapist, special education instructional specialist).