WRTR – Winter-Reed Teacher Loan Repayment Program
PROGRAM UPDATE: The Winter-Reed Teacher Loan Repayment Program law changed during the 2024 Legislative Session to expand eligibility for Winter-Reed beyond just first-year teachers with undergraduate loans.
Program Overview:
The Winter-Reed Teacher Loan Repayment Program (WRTR) is designed to help teachers repay their postsecondary student loans. Teachers holding a valid five-year Mississippi educator’s license and who have outstanding student loans are eligible to apply. Teachers are eligible for up to three annual loan repayment awards.
Eligible recipients must work full-time as a teacher or librarian in a Mississippi public school district.
The number of annual awards offered is based on the program funding provided by the Mississippi Legislature. Selection shall be made on a first-come, first-served basis of all eligible applicants who apply by the deadline date as long as funds are available. However, priority will be given to teachers in geographical shortage areas.
The annual award scale is as follows:
| Contracted in a Geographical Critical Shortage | Area Contracted in a Non-Shortage Area | |
| First-Year Award | $4,000 | $1,500 |
| Second-Year Award | $5,000 | $2,500 |
| Third-Year Award | $6,000 | $3,500 |
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
WAIT! You may also be eligible for loan forgiveness through the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
If you have worked in public service (federal, state, local, tribal government or a non-profit organization) for 10 years or more (even if not consecutively), you may be eligible to have all your student debt cancelled. If you have not yet served 10 years, you may still get credit toward forgiveness.
Visit the PSLF website to learn more.
Because this is a federal program, SFA is unable to answer questions or provide additional assistance.
Rules and Regulations:
WRTR Rules and Regulations (DRAFT 24-25 – Awaiting APA Approval)
Important Dates:
Application deadline: September 15 of the academic year for which funding is sought (ex: Sept. 15, 2024 for the 2024-2025 academic year)
Document deadline: October 15 of the academic year for which funding is sought (ex: Oct. 15, 2024 for the 2024-2025 academic year)
Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis. However, priority will be given to teachers in geographical critical shortage areas.
Initial Eligibility:
- Hold a valid five-year (standard or nontraditional alternate route) Mississippi educator’s license.
- Be under contract as a full-time teacher or librarian in a Mississippi public school district. Teachers in a geographical critical shortage area will be given priority.
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Have postsecondary student loans in your name. Perkins loans do not qualify. Loans in a parent’s name do not qualify.
- Must not be currently in default or delinquent on any federal, state, or local educational loan.
- Must not have received funds from the Critical Needs Teacher Forgivable Loan Program, the William Winter Teacher Forgivable Loan Program, the Teacher Education Scholars Forgivable Loan Program, the Graduate Teacher Forgivable Loan, the Counselor and School Administrator Forgivable Loan, or the Mississippi Teacher Loan Repayment program.
Award Amount and Length of Eligibility:
- Award offers will be made shortly after the application deadlines pass each year.
- Awards will be paid at the end of each school year.
- First-time award recipients working in a non-shortage area receive up to $1,500 annually; first-time award recipients working in a critical shortage area receive up to $4,000 annually.
- Second-time award recipients working in a non-shortage area receive up to $2,500 annually; second-time award recipients working in a critical shortage area receive up to $5,000 annually.
- Third-time award recipients working in a non-shortage area receive up to $3,500 annually; third-time award recipients working in a critical shortage area receive up to $6,000 annually.
- Awards are paid directly to the loan servicer.
- Recipients may receive WRTR for up to three years.
- WRTR recipients are not eligible for any other state aid.
To Apply – Part One:
- Complete the online application. The online application must be completed each and every academic year for which the applicant seeks aid.
- Submit a copy of your valid five-year (standard or nontraditional alternate route) Mississippi educator’s license (a three-year alternate route license, one-year alternate route license, one-year emergency certificate, or other provisional emergency license does not qualify).
- Submit a copy of your current teaching contract.
Award offers will be made shortly after the application deadlines pass based on the information provided in Part One of the application process.
To Apply – Part Two (complete at the end of the contract/service year):
- Complete and submit the Employment Verification Form (formerly called the Contract Completion Form) between March 20 and June 30. The Employment Verification Form will be posted to each recipient’s MAAPP account on/around March 20. The form should be downloaded, completed by the award recipient and the recipient’s school, and returned to SFA by June 30.
Awards will be disbursed directly to the loan servicer at the end of the contract year upon receipt of the Employment Verification Form.
How to Submit Supporting Documents
Frequently Asked Question:
- Do I still need to make payments on my student loans after I have been offered an award?
Yes. However, SFA will provide you with an award offer letter (upon request) that you can present to your servicer, and your servicer may defer payments. - I consolidated my loans. Do I still qualify for the program?
Yes. If you consolidated your student loans, just list your current loan servicer on the application.
