Arizona Math, Science and Special Education Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program

The state of Arizona has several student loan repayment assistant programs that are geared towards helping teachers who teach specific fields. The Arizona Math, Science and Special Education Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program allows for students who teach math, science, or special education to qualify for up to $7,000 in forgiveness for up to three years. That’s a total of $21,000 in student loan forgiveness for qualified applicants. Find out more about the what is needed to qualify below starting with the eligibility section.

Eligibility?

In order to qualify for this program, you must abide by all of the following:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or an eligible noncitizen.
• Must be a resident of Arizona for at least the previous 12 months at the time of application completion.
• Must be enrolled at least half-time in a baccalaureate program working on a teaching degree or an alternative teacher certification program at a nationally or regionally accredited postsecondary educational institution in Arizona (public or private).
• Must be a junior or higher (completed at least 55 college credit hours) in a course of instruction with the intent to attain licensure as a teacher in math, science, special education or to provide instruction as a teacher in a public low-income school, public rural school, or a public school located on an Indian reservation.
• Must be seeking a first baccalaureate degree or an alternative teaching certificate.
• Must have financial need (Cost of Attendance minus Expected Family Contribution (EFC)).
• Must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as determined by the institution.
• Must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Must enter into an agreement with the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education (ACPE) to teach in an Arizona public school in a term equal to the number of year of loan received plus one year.
• Must sign a promissory note acknowledging the conditions of the loan and promising to repay the loan plus 7% interest if teaching obligation is not met.
• First-time applicants must write a 250-500 word essay on why they want to be a teacher.

How much should be expected through his award?

If you are selected for this program, you have the ability to be awarded up to $7,000 per academic year for a maximum of three years. This program requires that you exclude all grants, scholarships or other tuition benefits. They do however allow for benefits that are provided via tribal awards or military. Once the funds have been provided, you have the ability to use them for fees, necessary materials, tuition or any other fees associated with the cost of attendance.

How to apply?

In order to apply for this program, you will need to submit to the Commission on an annual basis regarding your loan application as well as complete a promissory note. You must also complete and fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application in order to be qualified prior to applying. Once this has been completed the Commission will work and determine your eligibility with the financial aid office. Please note that these loans are provided to eligible students on a first come, first serve basis.

For more information head over to this link.

Here is a link to the application process which you must complete prior to applying.

Questions?

If you still have questions or would like to know more information please reach out to us here or you can go back to the Student Loan Repayment Assistance Programs page.