Florida Critical Teacher Shortage Student Loan Forgiveness Program

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2008-09
Critical Teacher Shortage Student Loan Forgiveness Program
Fact Sheet
Florida Statutes 1009.59 State Board of Education Rule 6A-20.013


Program Description
The Critical Teacher Shortage Student Loan Forgiveness (CTSLF) Program provides financial assistance to eligible Florida teachers who hold a valid Florida Teacher’s Certificate or Florida Department of Health License by assisting them in the repayment of undergraduate and graduate educational loans that led to certification in a statewide critical teacher shortage (CTS) subject area. The Florida CTSLF is a state-funded program and not the Federal Title I Program.

What are the Initial Eligibility Requirements to Receive Funding?
The teacher will:
Be teaching full-time at a publicly-funded school* while holding a valid Florida Teacher's Certificate (Temporary or Professional) or Florida Department of Health License (Temporary or Permanent), issued by July 15, 2009, in the same CTS subject area employed that covers the current academic year of service.
Have taken out loan(s) to fund enrollment in courses completed prior to being hired into the CTS area for which applying. Loans concurrent with CTS area teaching service are not eligible loans for repayment.
Be under contract with, and teaching in, a Florida publicly-funded school.*
Teach in a CTS subject area;
Hold a temporary or permanent certification in the same CTS area as teaching in;
Apply in the first year of having both the CTS position and the CTS certification or license; and
Teach at least 90 days of the school year in the CTS area.
Note: Endorsements are not eligible for the CTSLF.
Not have received a scholarship loan under the:
Florida Teacher Scholarship & Forgivable Loan Program (1993-04 through 2001-02),
"Chappie" James Most Promising Teacher Scholarship Loan Program (1985-86 through 1992-93),
Critical Teacher Scholarship Loan Program (1983-84 through 1992-93),
Masters' Fellowship Loan Program for Teachers (1985-86 through 1992-93), or
Paul Douglas Teacher Scholarship Program (1986-87 through 1995-96).
Not owe a repayment or be in default under any state or federal grant, loan, or scholarship program unless satisfactory arrangements to repay have been made.

How Does a Teacher Apply?
Application
The teacher will:
Submit for 2008-09 Teaching Service, a fully completed error free 2009-10 Initial Teacher Florida Financial Aid Application to the Florida Department of Education (FDOE), Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA)** at www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org. Select State Grants, Scholarships & Applications, Apply Here, and then Initial State Teacher Application. This application is available online January 1, 2009.
The deadline is July 15 of the first school year in which the applicant taught full-time for at least 90 days as a certified teacher in a CTS subject area.
If a teacher has taught more than 90 days but fewer than 180 days, the teacher may reapply as an initial applicant during the next application period or receive a prorated award for the current application period.
Contact OSFA toll-free at 1-888-827-2004 if the application acknowledgement correspondence has not been received within ten business days following date of submission.
Submit academic transcript(s) from postsecondary educational institution(s) from which a baccalaureate degree, or higher, was received prior to becoming a certified teacher in a CTS subject area.
If the applicant attended a Florida postsecondary institution (PSI), the Postsecondary Institution Certification Form must be completed by the institution’s designated employee online using the PSI Teacher Certification Reports at www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org, and submitted to OSFA by July 15, 2009.
If the applicant attended an out-of-state institution, he/she must submit transcripts to OSFA by July 15, 2009. An applicant may request that the out-of-state postsecondary institution(s) submit his/her transcript(s) to OSFA** or the applicant may submit an unofficial transcript(s). All submissions must verify that a degree was received.
An applicant should validate FDOE’s receipt of the completed form or transcript information online by using the User ID and PIN*** issued in the application acknowledgement correspondence.

Loan Certification
The teacher will:
Ensure certification of each educational loan(s) received prior to becoming a certified teacher in the CTS subject area for which the applicant is applying.
OSFA uses The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) to certify the applicant’s student loans.
The teacher may monitor the progress of the certification via the web by using the User ID and PIN*** issued in the application acknowledgement correspondence.
The teacher retains responsibility for ensuring that OSFA receives a complete and accurate loan certification from each lender/servicing agent by July 15, 2009.

or

If no loans appear on NSLDS, OSFA will be unable to certify the loans, in which case, the Loan Certification Form (PDF) must be submitted by the teacher to each lender/servicing agent for verification and returned to OSFA by the program deadline.

Employer Certification
The teacher will:
Ensure that the school district superintendent, charter school administrator, or designee has correctly certified the applicant’s employment eligibility online using the Employment Certification Form by July 15, 2009. Incorrect Employment Certification will adversely affect program eligibility.
Verify FDOE’s receipt of the completed form online by using the User ID and PIN*** issued in the application acknowledgement correspondence. Visit www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org, and select State Grants, Scholarships & Applications, Application Status & Award History, and then under Initial Teacher Status, select Application/Certification.

Application Tracking
The teacher will:
Verify all information submitted online by the applicant, lender(s), Employer Certifier, postsecondary institution(s), FDOE Certification, and/or FDOH Licensure is accurate.
Verify completion of this information using the User ID and PIN*** issued in the application acknowledgement correspondence. Visit www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org, and select State Grants, Scholarships & Applications, Application Status & Award History, and then under Initial Teacher Status, select Application/Certification.
Ensure that personal e-mail is checked frequently to avoid delay in reviewing official, time-sensitive communication sent by OSFA.


Note: An application checklist is provided for all Teacher Program applicants at www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org by selecting State Grants, Scholarships & Applications, Apply Here, Initial State Teacher Application, and then Application Checklist.

How Does a Teacher Renew?
A renewal applicant is one who received an award in the prior year. Renewal applicants do not need to reapply. However, the renewal applicant will:
Hold a valid Florida Teacher's Certificate (Temporary or Professional) or Florida Department of Health License (Temporary or Permanent) in the same CTS subject area employed (at the grade level for which employed) that covers the current academic year of service.
Ensure that the school district superintendent, charter school administrator, or designee correctly certified the teacher’s employment eligibility online. The applicant should verify completion of this information using the User ID and PIN*** issued in the application acknowledgement correspondence. Incorrect Employment Certification will adversely affect program eligibility.
Update any personal, demographic, employment information on the OSFA Web site by using the User ID and PIN*** issued in the application acknowledgement correspondence.
Notify OSFA of any lender changes/consolidations immediately by calling toll-free at 1-888-827-2004.

Renewal Application Tracking
The teacher will:
Verify all information submitted online by the applicant, lender(s), Employer Certifier, FDOE Certification, and/or FDOH Licensure is accurate.
Verify completion of this information using the User ID and PIN*** issued in the application acknowledgement correspondence. Visit www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org and select State Grants, Scholarships & Applications, Application Status & Award History, and then under Renewal Teacher Status, select Certification.

How Does a Teacher Reinstate?
A CTSLF reinstatement applicant is one who was determined eligible for a CTSLF award, but who did not receive funds during a preceding award year.
The reinstatement applicant will:
Submit a Reinstatement/Restoration Application for Teachers beginning February 1 at www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org by July 15. Select State Grants, Scholarships & Applications, Apply Here, and then Reinstatement/Restoration Application for Teachers.
Hold a valid Florida Teacher's Certificate (Temporary or Professional) or Florida Department of Health License (Temporary or Permanent) in the same CTS subject area employed (at the grade level for which employed) that covers the current academic year of service.
Ensure that the school district superintendent, charter school administrator, or designee correctly certified the teacher’s employment eligibility online. The applicant should verify completion of this information using the User ID and PIN*** issued in the application acknowledgement correspondence.
Notify OSFA of any lender changes/consolidations by calling toll-free at 1-888-827-2004.

Reinstatement Application Tracking
The teacher will:
Verify all information submitted online by the applicant, lender(s), Employer Certifier, FDOE Certification, and/or FDOH Licensure is accurate.
Verify completion of this information using the User ID and PIN*** issued in the application acknowledgement correspondence. Visit www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org and select State Grants, Scholarships & Applications, Application Status & Award History, and then under Reinstatement/Restoration Application for Teachers Status, select Application/Certification.

What is the Award Process?
Awards are made in the late fall.
CTSLF awards may be prorated and vary each year depending upon annual funding, the number of eligible applicants, and timely receipt of all required forms and documentation described in the Eligibility Requirements.
Previous average annual award amounts may be viewed in the OSFA Annual Report to the Commissioner (PDF).
Participants may receive up to a maximum of $10,000 for the duration of the program.
For the 2007-08 award year, full-time teachers who taught at least 180 days:
with undergraduate degrees received $475
with graduate degrees received prior to becoming a teacher in a CTS area received $950.
The award amount is based on the unpaid principal balance due on educational loans as of June 30 immediately preceding the applicant's original date of employment as a full-time teacher certified in a CTS subject area. Loans must have been incurred by applicants to assist them in becoming a teacher. Interest and other costs are the responsibility of applicants. Applicants who receive an award continue to be responsible for meeting repayment obligations to the lender.
Teachers/Applicants are financially obligated for their loans and must continue to make regularly scheduled payments.
Graduate courses that did not result in a graduate degree prior to teaching in an appropriate CTS subject area may be awarded at the undergraduate level.
To receive an award, the applicant must have taught a full school year as defined by Section 1000.21, Florida Statutes, in a Florida publicly-funded school (180 or more days). An applicant who completes at least 90 days, but less than 180 days of teaching may be eligible to receive half of a yearly prorated award.

How are Awards Disbursed?
OSFA will notify the applicant of award eligibility late in the fall.
Track your award eligibility via the OSFA Web site at www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org using the User ID and PIN*** issued in the application acknowledgement correspondence. Select State Grants, Scholarships & Applications, Application Status & Award History, and then under Initial Teacher Status, Renewal Teachers Status, or Reinstatement/Restoration Application for Teachers Status, select Award.
The award will be forwarded to the eligible teacher and will be issued in the form of a check made payable to the teacher and the lender. After endorsing the check, the teacher is responsible for forwarding the check to the lender. The teacher must include the loan account number on the check or payment slip to ensure an appropriate and timely payment. If the amount of the check exceeds the amount of the remaining unpaid principal, the teacher is responsible for ensuring that the lender refunds the amount of the overpayment to the teacher.
The check may be made payable to the teacher only if the teacher submits documentation to OSFA** from all lenders demonstrating that all principal balances due as of June 30 prior to the beginning date of eligible service have since been paid by the teacher. Loan consolidation is not the equivalent of paying off all principal balances. Checks can not be made payable to the teacher if loans are not paid off.

How Long May a Teacher Receive Funding?
Participants may receive up to a maximum of $10,000 in loan repayments for the duration of the program.
Previous average annual award amounts may be viewed in the OSFA Annual Report to the Commissioner (PDF).

How May a Teacher Appeal?
An applicant who believes financial aid has been wrongly denied has certain rights to appeal. A participating teacher may appeal if he or she believes the FDOE erred in determining eligibility. A Department appeal is to be filed in writing within 30 days of the date of the notice of ineligibility.

How Does an Applicant or Program Participant Make Changes in Information?
An applicant must notify OSFA of any change in name, address, employment, or holder of the loan. If the holder of the loan changes due to consolidation or change of ownership, then documentation of such must be provided to OSFA immediately. A participating teacher may view loan information or update name, address, and employment information the following ways:
By accessing and updating the teacher record on the OSFA Web site at www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org, using the assigned User ID and PIN***:
Select State Grants, Scholarships & Applications,
select Application Status & Award History, and then
under Initial Teacher Update, select the appropriate option.
By calling OSFA toll-free at 1-888-827-2004.

Use of an Applicant’s Social Security Number/Non-discrimination Statement
The Privacy Act of 1974 requires state agencies to inform applicants of the reasons for requesting their Social Security numbers (SSN). The FDOE requests an SSN on all applications for financial assistance to correctly identify applicants.

An applicant will not be denied financial assistance for failure to disclose the SSN. Without an SSN, correct identification of an applicant's record cannot be assured and may result in an error in the award amount or a delay in the disbursement of an award. Pursuant to Section 1000.05, Florida Statutes, state student financial assistance is provided to eligible applicants without discriminating on the basis of race, sex, national origin, marital status, or handicap. Minority status will be considered when required by law as a condition of eligibility or selection.

For further information
contact OSFA, State Scholarship and Grant Programs, 1940 North Monroe Street, Suite 70, Tallahassee, Florida 32303-4759 or call toll-free at 1-888-827-2004.

*A school is publicly-funded if it receives at least 75% of its operating costs from governmental agencies and operates its educational program under contract with a public school district or the Department of Education.

OSFA
State Scholarship and Grant Programs
1940 North Monroe Street, Suite 70
Tallahassee, Florida 32303-4759

*** Applicants/Participants may access their User ID and PIN on the OSFA Web site at www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org. Select State Grants, Scholarships & Applications, Application Status & Award History, and then Get My User ID and PIN.