Member Benefits

TEACHER TUITION
ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

DESE Teacher Recruitment and Retention Section
Janet Goeller – Director (573-751-1191)

Special Education Tuition Reimbursement
This program provides tuition reimbursement at the University of Missouri’s graduate rate to teachers who are taking courses to achieve a special education teaching certificate in the areas of Mild/Moderate Cross Categorical, Severe Developmental Disabilities, Deaf/Hearing Impaired and Visually impaired.  Universities with approved programs may enter into contracts with DESE and provide reimbursement for qualified students.  During the 1999-2000 school year, federal funds from the State Improvement Grant allowed this program to expand to include funding for paraprofessionals seeking degrees in the high need areas.  State funds were added to the paraprofessional program for FY01. Additional information can be obtained at the DESE Web site.

Counselor Tuition Reimbursement
A DESE sponsored program for teachers who are within 21 semester hours of fulfilling requirements for certification as an elementary or secondary public school counselor.  Ten Missouri colleges and universities are participating in this program. E-mail Janet.Goeller@dese.mo.gov with questions.

Missouri Teacher Education Scholarship Program
This is a scholarship program for academically talented students interested in teaching in Missouri’s public elementary and secondary schools.   The state funds $1000 for each scholarship, 240 scholarships are awarded per year.  The colleges match that amount.  If a recipient fails to teach for five years in a Missouri public school, they must pay back the state’s portion of the money.   Three hundred thirty seven former recipients have already completed their required 5 years of teaching; 573 recipients are currently teaching. For additional information: http://dese.mo.gov/divteachqual/scholarships/

Missouri Minority Teaching Scholarship
This is a scholarship program for academically talented minority students interested in teaching in Missouri’s public elementary and secondary school.  This program is funded with a combination of institution and state money, the state provides $2000 for each scholarship, and institutions of higher education provide another $1,000.  There are a total of 100 scholarships available, and the scholarship is renewable for a total of four years.  If a recipient fails to teach for five years in a Missouri public school, they must pay back the state’s portion of the money.   Fourteen former recipients are currently teaching. For additional information: http://dese.mo.gov/divteachqual/scholarships/

Loan Forgiveness
Information is provided to Missouri teachers about obtaining forgiveness and deferment for their federal Perkins and Stafford Loans.  If a teacher is teaching in a teacher shortage area as determined by the U.S. Department of Education, or is teaching in a building which is considered “impoverished” by the state because of its free and reduced lunch count, that teacher is eligible for loan forgiveness or deferment. Stafford interest can be lowered by 2% for teachers. For additional information: http://dese.mo.gov/divteachqual/teachrecruit/loanforgiveness.htm