15-1782

15-1782. Mathematics, science, special
education and elementary education teacher student loans;
requirements; report

(L10, Ch.257, sec. 1)

A. The board may grant loans from the mathematics, science and special education
teacher student loan fund established by section 15-1784 to defray in-state tuition,
instructional materials and mandatory fees of the education of students who are pursuing
a teaching degree at a university under the jurisdiction of the board and who are deemed
qualified by the board to receive these loans. Loans shall be granted on such terms and
conditions as may be imposed by the board and shall be distributed on a first come, first
served basis.

B. The board shall grant loans to qualified applicants who are classified as
in-state students for tuition purposes pursuant to section 15-1802 and who agree to
provide instruction in the area of mathematics, science or special education in a public
school in this state or in elementary education in a public school that is located in a
geographic area in this state that is experiencing a shortage of teachers, as determined
by the state board of education. The board shall allocate no more than twenty-five per
cent of the annual amount appropriated for loans to applicants who agree to provide
instruction in elementary education.

C. The loans granted by the board shall be sufficient to fully cover the costs of
resident tuition and mandatory fees for each loan recipient and may also defray the cost
of instructional materials. If an applicant qualifies for federal financial aid and
receives federal grant aid, the loan amount shall be limited to the amount of tuition and
mandatory fees not covered by the federal grant aid and may include a stipend for
instructional materials.

D. The board shall adopt policies for screening qualified applicants based on
ability, character and financial need.

E. The board shall grant loans on the terms and conditions the board imposes. The
board shall establish procedures for the timely repayment of loans plus interest at a
rate determined by the board. The board is responsible for the collection of loans that
are in default.

F. The board may delegate authority to administer the loans pursuant to this
article to an institution under the jurisdiction of the board. If the board delegates
authority, students pursuing a teaching degree at each institution under the jurisdiction
of the board shall be equally eligible to participate. The board shall retain
responsibility of making initial public notice of the availability of the loans and
collect the application forms directly from each qualified applicant. The board shall
forward the applications to the institution selected to administer the loans.

G. On or before December 1 of each year, the Arizona board of regents shall submit
an approved report to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the
president of the senate and the joint legislative budget committee. The board shall
provide a copy of this report to the secretary of state and the director of the Arizona
state library, archives and public records. The report shall include the number of
applicants, the number of loan recipients, the university each loan recipient attends,
the name of the school at which each loan recipient is employed, the number of good cause
repayment exceptions granted by the board, the reason for each good cause exception
granted and teacher retention data. The board shall collect and maintain data on the
retention of mathematics, science and special education teachers who received loans
pursuant to this article. The board shall collect this data for at least five years after
each loan recipient completes the recipient's service commitment.