Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1640-01-20-.03 - ELIGIBILITY

(1) In order to receive a Math & Science Teacher Loan, a student must:

(a) Be a citizen of the United States; and

(b) Be a citizen of Tennessee; and

(c) Be a resident of Tennessee, as defined by regulations promulgated by the Tennessee Board of Regents for the state university and community college system, under the authority of T.C.A. § 49-8-104 where applicable for one (1) year immediately preceding the date of application; and

(d) Be a tenured teacher teaching in a Tennessee public school system; and

(e) Comply with the United States selective service system requirement for registration, as such requirements are applicable to the student; and

(f) Not be in default on a federal Title IV educational loan or Tennessee educational loan; and

(g) Be in compliance with federal drug-free rules and laws for receiving financial assistance; and

(h) Not be incarcerated; and

(i) Be admitted to and attend an eligible postsecondary institution seeking an advanced degree in math or a science or certification to teach math or a science; and

(j) Agree to teach math or a science in a Tennessee public school system two (2) academic years for each year funded provided by this program and sign a promissory note that stipulates the cash repayment obligation incurred if the teaching service is not fulfilled; and

(k) Maintain satisfactory academic progress in the teacher's program of study with no minimum number of hours required per semester; and

(l) Complete the program of study within five (5) years beginning with the first term for which loan was funded; and

(m) Not allow a break in enrollment at an eligible postsecondary institution of more than twelve (12) months. If the break in enrollment exceeds twelve (12) months, the student enters the grace period followed by repayment, unless the student has received an approved leave of absence.

(2) Funding received from the Math & Science Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program shall not be used in pursuit of courses taken for re-certification in an area for which certification was previously obtained.

(3) A borrower who completes the program of study for which a Math & Science Teacher Loan was provided and who subsequently satisfies the terms of the loan in full, either through repayment or cancellation, is not prevented from participating in the Tennessee Math & Science Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program again, in order to gain certification or an advanced degree in a different area of math or science.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1640-01-20-.03

Public necessity rule filed November 20, 2006; effective through May 4, 2007. Original Rule November 20, 2006; effective March 30, 2007.

Authority: 2006 Tenn. Pub. Acts, ch. 977, and T.C.A. §§ 49-4-201 and 49-4-924.