CNDT – Crit Needs Dyslexia Therapy

Funding was not sufficient to offer CNDT awards for Aid Year 2023-2024. 

CNDT – Critical Needs Dyslexia Therapy Forgivable Loan

Program Overview:

Critical Needs Dyslexia Therapy Teacher Forgivable Loan (CNDT) are available to students seeking a first master’s degree in Dyslexia Therapy in an approved program of study based on the Orton-Gillingham teaching approach. Students must be seeking a Class “AA” Mississippi educator license with a 203 (Dyslexia Therapy) designation. Loans will be made to cover the full cost of tuition, materials and required fees. Loans will be forgiven for recipients who serve as dyslexia therapists in public or charter schools/districts in Mississippi for one year for every year of funding received. Loan recipients who choose not to fulfill the service obligation will be required to repay the loan in full with interest.

Rules and Regulations:

CNDT Rules and Regulations

Important Dates:

Application dates: October 1 – March 31
Document deadline: June 30

NOTE: A maximum of twenty awards per cohort (two cohorts) will be made each aid year. Awards are made to students with COMPLETE applications on a first-come, first-served basis, as funding is available. However, priority is given to eligible renewal applicants. Applications are considered to be complete only after all supporting documents have been received.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Be fully admitted as a regular student in an approved Dyslexia Therapy program based on the Orton-Gillingham teaching approach leading to a first master’s degree and a Class “AA” Mississippi educator license. Currently, the approved program of study is offered at Mississippi College, the University of Southern Mississippi, and William Carey University.
• Have and maintain a 3.0 cumulative college GPA on a 4.0 scale.
• Hold a valid Class “A” Mississippi educator License.

Award Amount:

• CNDT awards equal to the total cost for tuition, materials, and fees.
• CNDT recipients are not eligible for any other state aid but may apply for federal or institutional aid.

Service Obligation:

• CNDT is first and foremost a loan. However, a CNDT loan will be forgiven (discharged) for recipients who complete the program of study, obtain the required license, and serve as dyslexia therapists in any public or charter school/district in Mississippi for one year for each year of funding received.
• LIABILITY: Forgivable loan recipients who choose not to fulfill the service obligation will be required to repay the loan in full with interest.

To Apply:

1. Complete the online application. The online application must be completed each and every academic year for which the applicant seeks aid.
2. New applicants must submit a copy of the applicant’s valid Mississippi Class “A” educator license. A SIGNED printout from the online Mississippi Education Licensure Management System (ELMS) will be accepted.
3. New applicants must submit a copy of the applicant’s official letter of acceptance into the graduate program, stating the applicant has been fully admitted or has regular admission.

NOTE: Documents must be RECEIVED, not postmarked, by the published document deadline date of June 30.

How to Submit Supporting Documents

After the Application – the CNDT Award Process:

1. If funding is available, the Office will make award offers as soon as possible after receiving an appropriation, but no later than mid-June.
2. To accept an award, new applicants must sign a Master Contract and Note, which includes the program Rules and Regulations. The contract will be signed electronically.
3. New and renewal applicants must sign a Private Loan Self-Certification Form every year for which the applicant receives funds. The self-certification form will be signed electronically.
4. When the Contract and Self-certification form have been received, the Office will notify the student’s attending institution that the student has been awarded.

How to Submit Supporting Documents