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
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