TES – Teacher Education Scholars Forgivable Loan
The Teacher Education Scholars Forgivable Loan (TES) program has been discontinued and no new awards will be made for the program.
Program Overview
The Teacher Education Scholars Forgivable Loan (TES) program was created during the 2013 Legislative Session to encourage high-achieving high school graduates to pursue a career in teaching. To the extent of appropriated funds, awards amounting to $15,000 annually will be made to students with a 3.5 GPA and 28 ACT seeking a bachelor’s degree in teacher education at a Mississippi four-year college or university. The entire loan amount will be forgiven in its entirety for recipients who teach in a Mississippi public school for five full years following degree completion and licensure.
Rules and Regulations
Important Dates
Application dates: October 1- March 31
Document deadline: April 30
Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis, as funding is available. However, priority is given to eligible renewal applicants.
Eligibility Requirements
- Enroll full-time at a four-year institution in the State of Mississippi in a program of study leading to a Class “A” teacher license.
- Score 28 or higher on the ACT during a national test taken prior to enrollment into the education program.
- Have a 3.5 cumulative high school GPA if an entering freshman or 3.5 cumulative college GPA if a continuing college student for initial eligibility, and earn a 3.5 cumulative GPA each term of enrollment to maintain eligibility.
Award Amount and Length of Eligibility
- TES awards up to $15,000 per year for a maximum of 4 years (8 semesters or 12 trimesters).
Service Obligation
The loan repayment obligation can be discharged on the basis of five (5) years of service for any amount of loan received. Teaching service is defined as being employed as a contracted full-time licensed classroom teacher in a Mississippi public or charter school.
To Apply
- Complete the online application by March 31. The online application must be completed each and every academic year for which the applicant seeks aid.
- New applicants (those who have not previously received a TES award) must submit proof of a score of 28 or higher on the ACT during a national test taken prior to the completion of college coursework. This item may be received directly from ACT. Applicants will be notified if this document should be submitted separately.
How to Submit Supporting Documents
After the Application – the TES Award Process
- If funding is available, the Office will make award offers as soon as possible after receiving an appropriation, but no later than mid-June.
- 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.
- New and renewal applicants must sign a Private Loan Self-Certification Form every year for which the applicant receives funds. The self-certification form must be signed with pen and returned in hard-copy.
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why must I reapply every year?
Current legislation requires “…the board shall create a renewal application for each student who received the award for one or more terms during the immediately preceding academic year.” At a minimum, a student must file the following renewal document no later than the close of business on the deadline date: online application. - What if I have to withdraw from school during a semester?
A student must maintain continuous full-time enrollment during the fall, winter (for trimester schools only), and spring during each successive academic year unless granted an exception for cause. Examples of exception for cause may include personal injury or death of an immediate family member, participation in a cooperative program, internship program or foreign study program. If a recipient fails to maintain continuous full-time enrollment, unless granted an exception for cause, that student is ineligible to receive funds during the next semester or trimester of full-time enrollment of a regular academic year. Summer semester enrollment is not considered part of the regular academic year. - What if I drop below full-time enrollment during a semester?
A student must maintain full-time enrollment. If a student drops below full-time status during a semester or trimester of the academic year, that student is ineligible to receive funds during the next semester or trimester of full-time enrollment of a regular academic year. - What if my GPA does not meet the minimum requirement?
If your cumulative GPA is less than 3.5 at the end of a semester/trimester, you will lose the TES award for the next semester/trimester of enrollment during a normal academic year. In order to regain eligibility, your cumulative GPA must meet the minimum 3.5 GPA requirement. - As a recipient of TES, I have a contractual obligation to work as a teacher in Mississippi after graduation. What if I am unable to find a job immediately after graduation?
All recipients are eligible for a one-year (12-month) grace period while seeking employment. After one year, recipients must submit documentation of proper employment or start making payments to repay the loan. - What will happen if I decide to teach for less than 5 years?
TES recipients are required to serve as teachers for 5 full years, regardless of how many years of funding they receive. Also, no partial service is accepted. Recipients who fail to fulfill the five-year teaching obligation will be required to repay the loan in full with a 5% penalty and interest. - How do I submit supporting documents to the Office of Student Financial Aid?
How to Submit Supporting Documents
