Teach NYC Loan Forgiveness Program
Through the Teach NYC Loan Forgiveness Program, qualified applicants may be eligible to qualify for a tax-free grant of up to $24,000 to be used towards repaying their student loans. The Loan Forgiveness Program offers New York State certified classroom teachers and school-based pedagogic clinicians working in specified shortage areas and bilingual education, newly hired to the New York City Department of Education. Read on to see eligibility requirements, award amounts, and the application process for the Teach NYC Loan Forgiveness Program.
Eligibility?
This program serves to increase the number of licensed personnel serving in the New York City public schools in the following critical shortage area disciplines:
- Bilingual Special Education
- Bilingual School Psychology
- Blind and Visually Impaired
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Speech-Language Pathology (monolingual and bilingual)
The following types of loans are considered approved sources:
- Perkins Loan Program (formerly National Direct Student Loan
- Stafford Student Loan Programs (Guaranteed Student Loan)
- Supplemental Loans for Students (Auxiliary Loans to Assist Students)
- Health Professions Student Loans/Nursing Student Loans
- Health Education Assistance Loans
- Bank Loans for Educational Purposes
Eligible applicants must have:
- Possession of an appropriate New York State initial/professional or provisional/permanent certificate corresponding to one of the above shortage areas.
- Full-time appointment to an NYCDOE Public School with the designated license.
- A bilingual extension (for bilingual areas) to the certificate and be appointed under the bilingual credential.
- An official letter from the college or university is required if the applicant has not received the actual certificate or extension, indicating that they have satisfactorily completed a state-approved education program.
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency.
- The applicant must be on NYCDOE payroll by November 15th of the current school year to be considered.
- Preliminary eligibility is established once the required documentation is received. Final eligibility is determined by the end of year verification of employment and overall rating and not having more than six (6) weeks of break of service.
How much can I expect to be awarded?
Through the Teach NYC Loan Forgiveness Program, applicants may qualify for a maximum of $24,000 in the form of a one time grant offered by the state to be used towards paying off your student loans. To remain eligible for the program, the participant MUST remain in an authorized NYCDOE school district for six (6) consecutive years.
For a full breakdown of this program’s terms and conditions, please head over to the following page.
How do I apply for this repayment program?
To be considered for acceptance into the Loan Forgiveness Program, you must complete the online application and submit the following required documentation within ten (10) business days from the date of application filing.
- Copy of your New York State Certificate issued in one of the shortage areas listed above.
- College Transcripts (student copies are acceptable)
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency status.
- Proof of outstanding student loans.
Please mail documentation to:
New York City Department of Education
HC School Support
Scholarships, Incentives, and Speech Programs
65 Court Street, Room 508
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201
Attn: Loan Forgiveness Program – Related Service Titles
Applications are available June 15th through November 15th for the upcoming school year. Applications must be completed and submitted within the semester of hire, or the Therapist will not be eligible to participate in the program. Preliminary eligibility is established once the required documentation is received. Final eligibility is determined by the end of year verification of employment and overall rating.
You can apply directly through the following link: Teach NYC Loan Forgiveness Program.
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.