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Date Updated: November 30, 2007
IMPORTANT NOTE: This information is current as of the date this site was updated and is provided for informational purposes only. The eligibility requirements and rules governing the programs administered by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education are subject to legislative and regulatory amendments subsequent to the date this site was updated. Please e-mail the Financial Aid Division at finaid@adhe.edu if you should need further information.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Teacher Opportunity Program (TOP) offers forgivable loans OR reimbursement grants to Arkansas teachers seeking to further their education. The first priority of TOP funding is the TOP Dual Certification Incentive Program (also known as TOP Dual Licensure Loan). If funds remain, TOP Reimbursement Grants may be awarded. Eligibility requirements and application procedures vary between the two TOP programs.
TOP Dual Certification Incentive (TOP Dual Licensure Loan)
The TOP Dual Certification Incentive Program (also known as TOP Dual Licensure Loan) provides forgivable loans to teachers returning to college to receive an additional license in a subject matter declared to be a shortage area by the Arkansas Department of Education. TOP loans include funding for tuition, mandatory fees, and books. Loans may not exceed $3000 during any one academic year, with the school district providing 1/3 of the loan and the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) providing 2/3 of the loan. The recipient may receive funds for up to three (3) years. The ADHE will forgive its portion of the loan if the recipient completes the dual license within three (3) years of the initial award AND serves as a classroom teacher in an Arkansas public school for three (3) continuous years, immediately following receipt of the dual license.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
An applicant must:
- Be an Arkansas resident six (6) months prior to the application deadline;
- Be a citizen of the United States or permanent resident alien;
- Have and maintain a current teacher license with the Arkansas Department of Education (Individuals with a provisional license or who are in the alternative licensure program are not considered licensed for the purposes of the TOP Dual Licensure Loan);
- Be employed as a classroom teacher in the same Arkansas public school district for three (3) continuous years immediately preceding application;
- Be accepted in a teacher education program that will lead to an additional license in a subject area that has either:
- Been declared by the Arkansas Department of Education as a subject area with a shortage of teachers; or
- Received a waiver under 6-17-309, as requested by the school district;
- Be selected by the local school district’s board of directors based on:
- The recommendation of the building level superintendent and principal; or
- The school district’s request for waiver of teacher licensure requirements under 6-17-309 because the district is unable to hire a qualified licensed teacher to fill the position.
ELIGIBLE FIELDS OF STUDY
The 2007-08 shortage areas are art (K-12), foreign language (French, German, Spanish), mathematics (secondary), middle childhood (4-8 math/science or 4-8 English/language arts/social studies), library media, guidance counseling, gifted talented, sciences (secondary life/earth or secondary physical/earth, and special education (deaf education, visually impaired, special education instructional specialist).
TOP Dual Licensure Loan applications are due July 1, 2007, for Summer II 2007 and Fall 2007. Applications are due January 1, 2008, for Spring 2008 and Summer I 2008. Click to download the TOP Dual Licensure Application.
TOP Reimbursement Grant
If TOP funds are available at the end of the fiscal year, TOP offers tuition reimbursement grants to current teachers not participating in TOP Dual Licensure Loan. Teachers may apply for reimbursement for up to six (6) college credit hours per application period. Grants may not exceed the cost of the Arkansas public institution assessing the highest rate of tuition and mandatory fees.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
An applicant must:
- Be an Arkansas resident six (6) months prior to the application deadline;
- Be a citizen of the United States or permanent resident alien;
- Have and maintain a current teacher license with the Arkansas Department of Education;
- Be employed as a classroom teacher or administrator in Arkansas and declare intention to continue such employment in Arkansas;
- Be enrolled in an approved institution of higher education in Arkansas;
- Be enrolled in a college level course(s) directly related to employment;
- Have at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA in the course(s) funded by TOP Reimbursement Grant during the application period.
The amount awarded will be based on the tuition, mandatory fees, books, and required supplies paid by the applicant. Reimbursable fees are those required of all students. Costs such as graduation fees, late fees, car registration fees, and mileage are not reimbursable. No applicant may receive reimbursement for more than six (6) semester credit hours during any one application period.
Applications will be available January 1, 2008. Applications, itemized receipts, and official transcripts for the 2008 TOP Reimbursement Grant must be submitted by March 1, 2008.
Courses completed during the summer and fall terms are given priority. Courses completed during the spring term are considered for reimbursement, if funds are still available. For reimbursement for the Spring 2008 term, final grades must be submitted by June 1, 2008. All other materials must be submitted by March 1, 2008.
If necessary, licensed teachers taking courses that apply towards an additional license in a subject matter declared to be a shortage area by the Arkansas Department of Education will receive first priority. The 2007-08 shortage areas are art (K-12), foreign language (French, German, Spanish), mathematics (secondary), middle childhood (4-8 math/science or 4-8 English/language arts/social studies), library media, guidance counseling, gifted talented, sciences (secondary life/earth or secondary physical/earth, and special education (deaf education, visually impaired, special education instructional specialist).
To apply, complete the TOP Reimbursement Grant
Applicant Responsibilities
The applicant must notify the ADHE in writing of any changes to the information provided on this application within 21 days. This includes, but is not limited to: change of name; address; institution; subject area; employment; or licensure status.
Click to download the TOP Rules and Regulations