15-1782. Mathematics, science and special
education teacher student loans; requirements; report
(L10, Ch. 332, sec. 21. Eff. 7/1/11)
A. The commission may grant loans from the mathematics, science and special
education teacher student loan fund established by section 15-1784 to defray tuition,
instructional materials and mandatory fees of the education of students who are pursuing
a teaching degree at a qualifying postsecondary institution and who are deemed qualified
by the commission to receive these loans. Loans shall be granted on such terms and
conditions as may be imposed by the commission and shall be distributed on a first come,
first served basis.
B. The commission shall grant loans to qualified applicants who agree to provide
instruction in the area of mathematics, science or special education in a public school
in this state.
C. The loans granted by the commission shall be used to cover the costs of tuition
and mandatory fees for each loan recipient and may also defray the cost of instructional
materials, but shall not exceed seven thousand dollars each year, excluding all grants,
scholarships and tuition benefits such as military, tribal and employee grants,
scholarships and benefits.
D. The commission shall adopt policies for screening qualified applicants based on
ability and financial need, including requiring all applicants to complete a free
application for student federal aid.
E. The commission shall grant loans on the terms and conditions the commission
imposes. The commission shall establish procedures for the timely repayment of loans
plus interest at a rate determined by the commission. The commission is responsible for
the collection of loan repayments.
F. The commission may partner with qualifying postsecondary institutions to
administer these loans. The commission shall provide initial public notice of the
availability of the loans and collect the application forms directly from each qualified
applicant. The commission shall forward a request for verification of attendance,
satisfactory academic progress, financial need and enrollment in a qualified program to
the institution.
G. On or before December 1 of each year, the commission 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 commission shall provide a copy of
this report to the secretary of state. The report shall include the number of applicants,
the number of loan recipients, the qualifying postsecondary institution 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 commission, the reason for each
good cause exception granted and teacher retention data. The commission shall collect
and maintain data on the retention of mathematics, science and special education teachers
who received loans pursuant to this article. The commission shall collect this data for
at least five years after each loan recipient completes the recipient's service
commitment.
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