AUTHORITY: Implementing and authorized by Sections 14A-8, 30-4b, 30-4c, and 30-4d of the School Code (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1989 and 1990 Supp., ch. 122, pars. 14A-8, 30-4b, 30-4c, and 30-4d).

SOURCE: Emergency rule adopted at 7 Ill. Reg. 15666, effective November 4, 1983 for a maximum of 150 days; Adopted and codified at 8 Ill. Reg. 6682, effective May 2, 1984; amended at 9 Ill. Reg. 8601, effective May 28, 1985; amended at 11 Ill. Reg. 3054, effective February 2, 1987; amended at 15 Ill. Reg. 17059, effective November 13, 1991; transferred from Chapter I, 23 Ill. Adm. Code 54 (State Board of Education) to Chapter XIX, 23 Ill. Adm. Code 2772 (Illinois Student Assistance Commission) pursuant to P.A. 88-228, effective July 1, 1994 at 18 Ill. Reg. 10279.

SUBPART A: FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

 

Section 2772.10  Fellowship and Traineeship Program (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 11 Ill. 3054, effective February 2, 1987)

 

Section 2772.20  Scholarship Program (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 11 Ill. Reg. 3054, effective February 2, 1987)

 

Section 2772.100  Purpose of Fellowship Program

 

A Fellowship Program is hereby established for the purpose of providing grants to encourage qualified individuals to pursue full-time graduate study leading to improved competency in the education  of gifted and talented children as defined in The School Code (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1983,  ch. 122, par. 14A-2).

 

Section 2772.110  Applicant Qualifications

 

Individuals who shall be eligible for consideration for these grants shall meet the following qualifications:

 

a)         Shall be a resident of Illinois

 

b)         Shall be of good character

 

c)         Shall be a graduate of an accredited college of university

 

d)         Shall be interested in working in programs for the education of gifted and talented children

 

Section 2772.120  Application Process

 

Applications must be completed on forms provided by the State Board of Education and submitted to the State Board by the date specified on such forms.  Completed applications must include:

 

a)         name and address of applicant

 

b)         two written character references from individuals who are not related to the applicant.  Such references shall be conclusive evidence of applicant's character.

 

c)         official transcripts(s)

 

d)         a statement by the applicant concerning interest in working in programs for the education of gifted and talented children, and elaborating upon the contribution the applicant expects to make to gifted education in Illinois.  Such statement shall be conclusive  evidence of applicant's interest.  Individuals previously awarded a fellowship under this program shall indicate that fact in lieu of this statement.

 

e)         the specific term (i.e., semester(s)) the grant is to be utilized

 

f)         verification by the institution the applicant plans to attend that the applicant  is eligible to enroll as a full-time graduate student in a program designed to improve competency in the education of gifted and talented children.  Such programs may include training in academic disciplines, teaching skills, and philosophy and principles of education.

 

(Source:  Amended at 11 Ill. Reg. 3054, effective February 2, 1987)

 

Section 2772.130  Awards

 

a)         Applications of those who comply with the provisions of Section 2772.120 shall be reviewed and scored by State Board staff on the basis of the following criteria and points.

 

1)         Evidence of good scholarship (grade point average (GPA) and academic awards). Total points possible for GPA-40 (A average). After GPA has been verified by an official transcript, score will be assigned by moving decimal point one place to the right. For example, a GPA of 4.0 will be equal to 40 points; a GPA of 3.75 will be equal to 37.5 points; a GPA of 2.7 will be equal to 27 points. One point each will be given for academic awards (including academic honors or professional affiliation) up to a maximum of 5 points. Total possible points for scholarship – 45.

 

2)         Ability to express in writing the applicant's personal and professional purposes for seeking a fellowship. Writing will be judged on the quality of syntax, grammar, and overall organization in relationship to the task. Total possible points for writing ability – 30, with 30 points awarded for excellent ability, 25 points awarded for good ability, 15 points awarded for average ability, 10 points awarded for fair ability, 0 points awarded for poor ability.

 

3)         Abilities and strengths of the applicant as indicated in each character reference (5 points possible for each letter, with 5 points indicating a very strong candidate, 3 points indicating a strong candidate, 1 point indicating an average candidate, 0 points indicating a very weak candidate). Total possible – 10.

 

4)         Applicant's potential for contributing to the further development of educational programs for gifted and talented children in Illinois as evidenced by the sum of the preceding scores – 85 points.

 

b)         Fellowships shall be awarded in the order of the point rankings described in subsection (a). However, after awarding fellowships based on this ranking, if additional fellowships are available because the remaining applicants have identical point scores, then such remaining applicants will be evaluated again on the basis of financial need by using the Student Aid Index calculated by the enrolling institution pursuant to 34 CFR 690 (1984; no later amendments are incorporated by this rule), which shall be provided at the request of the State Superintendent of Education by the institutions enrolling the applicants.

 

c)         Applications will be reviewed by staff of the State Board of Education with recommendations made to the State Superintendent of Education.  Final determination, in accordance with the above criteria, rests with the State Superintendent of Education.

 

d)         Notification of fellowship awards to the institution the fellowship recipient will be attending shall be made in writing within 60 days following the deadline date set for submission of applications as shown on the application form.  The notification  shall be accompanied by a fellowship certificate which shall be endorsed by the institution of higher learning and transmitted to the person designated on the certificate.

 

e)         The entire award amount will be payable to the recipient upon verification by the institution that the recipient is accepted for enrollment in the institution specified.  The award amount will be payable as soon as practicable after the application deadline date and in no event later than ninety days afterward.  When the academic term includes a summer session, the entire amount may be awarded upon verification of enrollment.  In order to receive the full amount in a given year, the recipient must complete the equivalent of a full academic year (e.g., generally thirty semester hours or as defined for most students by the institution to be attended).  Lesser amounts of awards will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of a full academic year to be completed.

 

f)         Grants shall be in amounts of $2,000 per academic year and shall not exceed 50 in any academic year unless otherwise determined by legislative action.

 

(Source:  Amended at 11 Ill. Reg. 3054, effective February 2, 1987.)

 

Section 2772.140  Terms of the Grant

 

a)         Applicants shall enroll for full-time study at the graduate level (i.e., one academic year of training) in a program designed to improve competency for working in programs for the education of gifted and talented children.

 

b)         Applicants must contribute to the further development of educational programs for gifted and talented children in Illinois for a period of at least two years.  Applicants must agree to notify the institution as well as the Illinois State Board of Education of any change in status  that may effect their ability to comply with the terms of this grant.

 

c)         At the discretion of the State Board and with the advice of the Advisory Council, persons who fail to comply with these terms may be required to refund all or part of the fellowship monies received and this condition shall be agreed to in writing by all grant recipients at the time the fellowship is initially awarded.  The State Board shall exercise its discretion to require repayment of funds awarded to a grant recipient upon the advice of the Council when the facts supporting such advice show an intentional breach of any of the following terms of the fellowship grant or grants.

 

1)         Failure to enroll in and/or complete a program of full-time graduate level study pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section.

 

2)         Failure to report to the State Board of Education, within 18 months of the date of initial and subsequent grant awards, credits earned with the fellowship funds and the grant recipient's contributions to gifted and talented education programs pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section.

 

3)         Failure to notify the enrolling institution and the State Board of Education of a change in the grant recipient's status (e.g., recipient has changed major field of study, recipient has withdrawn from school) pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section.

 

(Source:  Amended at 11 Ill. Reg. 3054, effective February 2, 1987)

SUBPART B: TRAINEESHIP PROGRAM

 

Section 2772.200  Purpose of Traineeship Program

 

A traineeship program is hereby established for the purpose of providing grants to encourage qualified individuals to enter the teaching profession and provide instruction in mathematics and/or science (i.e., physical science or life science) in the elementary and secondary schools of Illinois.

 

Section 2772.210  Applicant Qualifications

 

Individuals who may apply for and shall be eligible for consideration for these grants shall meet the following qualifications:

 

a)         Shall be a resident of Illinois

 

b)         Shall be of good character

 

c)         Shall be a graduate of an accredited college or university with a degree in mathematics or science or shall be successfully pursuing a program leading to an undergraduate degree in mathematics or science and have successfully completed at least one academic year in an accredited college or university with course work in mathematics or science

 

d)         Shall evince intent to enter the teaching profession and teach mathematics and/or science in the elementary and secondary schools of Illinois, except that individuals previously awarded a traineeship shall indicate that fact in lieu of this requirement.

 

Section 2772.220  Application Process

 

Applications must be completed on forms provided by the State Board of Education and submitted to the State Board by the date specified on such forms.  Completed applications must include:

 

a)         name and address of applicant

 

b)         two written character references from individuals who are not related to the applicant (Such references shall be conclusive evidence of applicant's character).

 

c)         transcripts showing

 

1)         that the applicant holds an undergraduate degree in science or mathematics; or.

 

2)         that the applicant has been successfully pursuing a program leading to an undergraduate degree in science or mathematics for at least one academic year.

 

d)         a statement by the applicant concerning intent to earn a teaching certificate and enter the teaching profession and teach mathematics and/or science in the elementary and secondary schools of Illinois.

 

e)         the specific term (i.e. semester(s)) the grant will be utilized.

 

f)         verification by the institution the applicant plans to attend that the applicant is eligible to enroll and pursue coursework designed to qualify the applicant to enter the teaching profession in Illinois.

 

(Source:  Amended at 11 Ill. Reg. 3054, effective February 2, 1987.)

 

Section 2772.230  Awards

 

a)         Applications of those who comply with the provisions of Section 2772.220 shall be reviewed and scored by the Board staff on the basis of the following criteria and points.

 

1)         Evidence of good scholarship (grade point average (GPA)). Total points possible for GPA – 40 (A average). After GPA has been verified by an official transcript, score will be assigned by moving decimal point one place to the right. For example, A GPA of 4.0 will be equal to 40 points; a GPA of 3.75 will be equal to 37.5 points; a GPA of 2.7 will be equal to 27 points.

 

2)         Evidence of other experience directly related to the profession of mathematics and/or science (e.g., academic awards or honors, membership in professional organizations, work experience), with 5 points possible for each item. Total possible points – 30.

 

3)         Applicant's postsecondary school standing, i.e.:

 

A)        holds an undergraduate degree in mathematics or science –  20 points;

 

B)        is within one academic year of completing the degree program – 15 points;

 

C)        is within two academic years of completing the degree program – 10 points;

 

D)        is within three academic years of completing the degree program –  5 points.

 

4)         Applicant's potential for entering the teaching profession as a teacher of mathematics and/or science as evidenced by the sum of the preceding scores – 90 points.

 

b)         Traineeships shall be awarded in the order of the point rankings described in subsection (a). However, after awarding traineeships based on this ranking, if additional traineeships are available because the remaining applicants have identical point scores, then such remaining applicants with the greatest financial need as determined by establishing their rank on the Student Aid Index pursuant to Section 2772.130 (b) of this Part will receive next priority consideration.

 

c)         Applications will be reviewed by staff of the State Board of Education with recommendations made to the State Superintendent of Education.  Final determination, in accordance with the above criteria, rests with the State Superintendent of Education.

 

d)         Notification of traineeship awards to the institution the traineeship recipient will be attending shall be made in writing 60 days following the deadline date set for submission of applications as shown on the application form.  The notification shall be accompanied by a traineeship certificate which shall be endorsed by the institution of higher learning and transmitted to the person designated on the certificate.

 

e)         The entire award amount will be payable upon verification that the recipient is accepted for enrollment in the institution specified.  The award amount will be payable as soon as is practicable after the application deadline date and in no event later than ninety days afterward.  When the academic term includes a summer session, the entire amount may be awarded upon verification of enrollment.  In order to receive the full amount in a given year, the recipient must complete the equivalent of a full academic year (e.g., generally thirty semester hours or as defined for most students by the institution to be attended).  Lesser amounts of awards will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of a full academic year to be completed.

 

f)         Grants shall be in amounts of $1,000 per academic year and shall not exceed 25 in any academic year unless otherwise determined by legislative action.

 

(Source:  Amended at 11 Ill. Reg. 3054, effective February 2, 1987)

 

Section 2772.240  Terms of the Grant

 

a)         Applicants shall enroll for study in a program designed to qualify the traineeship recipient to enter the teaching profession and teach mathematics and/or science in the elementary and secondary schools of Illinois.

 

b)         Applicants must not reject employment within one year following the completion of such course of study in an elementary or secondary school in Illinois on the basis of one-half year of service for each year of training received through a grant under this part.  Applicants must agree to notify the institution  as well as the Illinois State Board of Education of any change in status that may affect their ability to comply with the terms of this grant.

 

c)         At the discretion of the State Board and with the advice of the Advisory Council, persons who fail to comply with these terms may be required to refund all or part of the traineeship monies received and this condition shall be agreed to in writing by all grant recipients at the time the traineeship is initially awarded.  The State Board shall exercise its discretion upon the advice of the Council and where the facts supporting such advice show an intentional breach of either of the following terms of the grant or grants.

 

1)         Failure to enroll in and/or complete studies pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section, or to report to the State Board of Education credits earned with Traineeship funds within 18 months of the initial and subsequent funding dates.

 

2)         Failure to provide the State Board of Education at least annually with evidence of employment as a teacher pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section; or failure to provide evidence that the grant recipient at least applied for each available teaching position in mathematics and/or science in the recipient's educational service region, but did not obtain any of these positions.

 

(Source:  Amended at 11 Ill. Reg. 3054, effective February 2, 1987)

SUBPART C: MATHEMATICS OR SCIENCE TEACHER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

 

Section 2772.300  Purpose of Mathematics or Science Teacher Scholarship Program

 

A Scholarship Program is hereby established for the purpose of providing scholarships to qualified individuals who agree to take courses at qualified institutions of higher learning in order to be prepared to teach science or mathematics at the secondary school level.  Qualified institutions under this program are Illinois public universities and Illinois public community colleges.

 

(Source:  Amended at 11 Ill. Reg. 3054, effective February 2, 1987)

 

Section 2772.310  Applicant Qualifications

 

An applicant is eligible for consideration for a scholarship who meets the following qualifications:

 

a)         Is a resident of Illinois;

 

b)         Holds a valid teaching certificate issued pursuant to the School Code (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1989, ch. 122, par. 21-1 et seq.) and is not presently certificated to teach both mathematics and science in the secondary schools; and

 

c)         Agrees in writing to accept employment within two years after completion of preparation and to teach science or mathematics in a secondary school in Illinois, as provided by Section 30-4b(5) of the School Code.

 

(Source:  Amended at 15 Ill. Reg. 17059, effective November 13, 1991)

 

Section 2772.320  Application Process

 

Applications must be completed on forms provided by the State Board of Education.  Completed applications must include:

 

a)         name, address, and Social Security number of applicant.

 

b)         a letter of employment history from the employing school district or nonpublic school authority; or , if not employed currently, from the last school district of employment (required for initial applications only).

 

c)         a certified transcript from each college or university attended (renewal applicants need only submit transcripts reflecting coursework taken since the submission of the most recent previous application).

 

d)         a statement from the qualified institution the applicant plans to attend that the applicant is eligible to enroll as a student in mathematics or science courses and that the coursework chosen will count toward certification in science or mathematics as specified in 23 Ill. Adm. Code 1.730 (Minimum Requirements for Secondary Teachers and Specified Subject Area Teachers in Grades Six (6) and Above). Such coursework may include the academic areas of science and mathematics as well as professional education courses necessary to qualify for a high school certificate if the applicant does not possess a high school certificate.

 

e)         a statement of the specific term (i.e., semester or quarter) the scholarship is to be utilized.

 

f)         the signature of the applicant attesting to the applicant's agreement to accept employment as provided by Section 30-4b(5) of the School Code.

 

(Source:  Amended at 15 Ill. Reg. 17059, effective November 13, 1991)

 

Section 2772.330  Awards

 

a)         Awards shall be made as set forth in this Section to persons complying with Sections 2772.310 and 2772.320.  Scholarships shall first be awarded, in order of seniority, to applicants who have previously received scholarships. Remaining scholarships shall be awarded on the basis of seniority as follows.  The senior applicant from each district and the senior unemployed applicant shall be awarded scholarships until each district having an applicant, and an unemployed applicant, have received a scholarship. Thereupon the next senior person in each district having an applicant and the next senior unemployed applicant shall be awarded scholarships until each district having an applicant, and an unemployed applicant, have received a scholarship.  This process shall continue until all scholarships have been awarded or until there are no remaining applicants.

 

b)         Notification of grant awards shall be sent in writing to the grant recipients and their enrolling institutions within 35 days after receipt of the application by the State Board of Education.

 

c)         Reimbursement for the scholarship will be made directly to the institution, for tuition only, upon receipt by the State Board of Education of a claim listing the individual, Social Security number, term of the claim and amount of the claim.  Reimbursement of the scholarship award shall be made only after deducting the total of any other scholarship for tuition which the applicant has received for the same academic term, which information the enrolling institution shall provide in submitting its claim.

 

(Source:  Amended at 15 Ill. Reg. 17059, effective November 13, 1991)

 

Section 2772.340  Terms of the Scholarship

 

a)         Scholarships shall only be awarded to provide the cost of tuition.

 

b)         Scholarship recipients continue to be eligible for scholarship awards subject only to successfully passing each course until the program of preparation is completed, except that no applicant may receive a scholarship for more than nine (9) semester hours of coursework in an Illinois public community college.  Failure to submit an official transcript or grade report showing successful completion of courses taken under a previous grant shall be sufficient cause to deny an additional scholarship award.

 

c)         Scholarship awards will be given for full-time or part-time study, shall be valid for one semester, and shall be renewable.

 

d)         Within two years of completion of a program of study qualifying the scholarship recipient to teach mathematics or science in secondary schools, the scholarship recipient shall submit written notification to the State Board of Education stating whether the recipient has accepted employment to teach mathematics or science in an Illinois secondary school.  Any recipient who fails to submit this notice shall refund all scholarship monies received.  The State Board of Education shall assist recipients in finding employment in areas of identified staff shortages.

 

e)         A recipient who fails to complete a course of training under this scholarship will be responsible for repayment of all the monies received under the scholarship awards.

 

f)         A recipient who drops a course or courses approved for a scholarship award, where an award has been paid to an institution, shall be required to reimburse the state the balance of any scholarship funds not refunded the State Board of Education by the institution.

 

g)         Interruption of the program – individuals who find it necessary to interrupt their preparation must submit written notice to the State Board of Education each term that they are not enrolled in courses.

 

(Source:  Amended at 15 Ill. Reg. 17059, effective November 13, 1991)

 

Section 2772.350  Waiver and Deferral of Repayment

 

a)         Any scholarship recipient who within two years of completion of the program of study has not accepted employment with an Illinois secondary school to teach mathematics or science shall refund all scholarship monies received to the State Board of Education, except that such refunding shall be waived under the following circumstances:

 

1)         Due to financial conditions, no positions to teach mathematics or science in a secondary school in Illinois within 60 miles of the teacher's residence were available within the two-year period following the recipient's completion of the program.

 

2)         The recipient applied for each opening for a mathematics or science position in such schools within two years of completion of the program but did not obtain any of these positions.

 

b)         A scholarship recipient may apply for a deferral of repayment of scholarship monies by submitting a written request for deferral to the State Board of Education.  The request shall be accompanied by a sworn statement of recipient's assets and liabilities.  Such deferral shall be granted if the request and supporting documentation show that deferral is necessary to prevent financial hardship to the recipient.  For this purpose, financial hardship shall mean the inability to meet vital financial obligations that cannot be deferred, including food bills, rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, medical bills not covered by insurance, and other debts incurred for essential living expenses.  Deferrals shall not exceed two years.

 

(Source:  Amended at 15 Ill. Reg. 17059, effective November 13, 1991)

SUBPART D: TEACHER SHORTAGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

 

Section 2772.400  Purpose of the Teacher Shortage Scholarship Program

 

A scholarship program is hereby established for the purpose of providing scholarships to qualified individuals who agree to take courses at qualified institutions of higher learning which will prepare them to teach in areas of identified staff shortages. Qualified institutions means all Illinois public and private community colleges and recognized public and private four-year colleges and universities pursuant to the provisions of 23 Ill. Adm. Code 25:  Subpart C (Certification). Areas of identified staff shortages means courses of study in which the number of teachers is insufficient to meet student and school district demand for such instruction as determined annually by the State Superintendent of Education, based upon the following criteria:

 

a)         New state-mandated instructional programs.

 

b)         Annual State Board of Education report on teacher supply and demand.

 

c)         Annual school district report of unfilled positions.

 

(Source:  Added at 11 Ill. Reg. 3054, effective February 2, 1987)

 

Section 2772.410  Applicant Qualifications

 

An applicant who meets the following qualifications is eligible for consideration for a scholarship:

 

a)         Is a resident of Illinois and either:

 

1)         Holds a valid teaching certificate issued pursuant to the School Code (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1989, ch. 122, par. 21-1 et seq.) and agrees in writing to train in an area of shortage, or

 

2)         is preparing for a teaching career and agrees in writing to prepare in an area of shortage, or

 

3)         holds a bachelor's degree from any accredited college or university and has been employed for at least ten years in a field other than teaching and agrees in writing to prepare in an area of shortage; and

 

b)         Agrees in writing to accept employment within two years of completing preparation in an area of shortage and to teach for a period of three years in an area of identified shortage in an Illinois school, as provided by Section 30-4c(5) of the School Code.

 

(Source:  Amended at 15 Ill. Reg. 17059, effective November 13, 1991)

 

Section 2772.420  Application Process

 

Applications must be completed on forms provided by the State Board of Education and must be submitted by the applicable date specified on the form. Completed applications must include the following information.

 

a)         Name, address, and Social Security number of applicant.

 

b)         A certified transcript from each college or university attended (renewal applicants need only submit transcripts reflecting coursework taken since the submission of the most recent previous application).

 

c)         The area of teaching shortage for which the applicant wishes to prepare.

 

d)         A statement of the specific term (i.e., semester or quarter) the scholarship is to be utilized.

 

e)         The courses in which the applicant is enrolled.

 

f)         For applicants wishing to establish eligibility by virtue of ten years' employment in a field other than teaching, a statement of employment history which includes the names of supervisors or personnel officers at places of employment who can be reached for verification of such employment.

 

g)         A statement by the institution's financial assistance officer of the total amount of tuition and nonrevenue bond fees charged by the institution for the courses listed by the applicant.

 

h)         The signature of the institution's certification officer if the institution is operating a teacher education program approved pursuant to 23 Ill. Adm. Code 25, stating that the courses listed are acceptable for certification in the indicated area of shortage.

 

i)          The signature of the applicant attesting to the applicant's agreement to accept employment for three years in an Illinois school in the area of shortage indicated, with such employment beginning within two years following completion of preparation, as provided by Section 30-4c(5) of the School Code.

 

(Source:  Amended at 15 Ill. Reg. 17059, effective November 13, 1991)

 

Section 2772.430  Awards

 

a)         Awards will first be granted on a continuing basis to those persons who were previous recipients and who have passed the courses approved under the previous award.

 

b)         Awards shall next be made on the basis of the order of receipt of the application in the Springfield office of the State Board of Education; provided that insofar as the annual applications for initial awards permit, seventy-five percent (75%) of the awards will be allocated to applicants initially preparing to teach, including those holding bachelor's degrees from accredited colleges and universities who have been employed for at least ten years in a field other than teaching, and twenty-five percent (25%) shall be allocated to applicants holding valid teaching certificates issued under Articles 21 and 34 of the School Code.

 

c)         Notification of grant awards shall be sent in writing to the grant recipients and their enrolling institutions within 35 days of the applicable submission date for application specified on the application form.

 

d)         Reimbursement for the scholarship will be made directly to the institution for all tuition and fees except revenue bond fees upon receipt by the State Board of Education of a claim listing the individual, Social Security number, term of the claim and the amount of claim listed by fees and tuition costs. Reimbursement of the scholarship award shall be made only after deducting the total of any other scholarship for tuition and fees which the applicant has received for the same academic term, which information the enrolling institution shall provide in submitting its claim.

 

(Source:  Amended at 15 Ill. Reg. 17059, effective November 13, 1991)

 

Section 2772.440  Terms of the Scholarship

 

a)         Scholarships shall provide the costs of tuition and all nonrevenue bond fees for courses which will enable the applicant to be certified to teach in the area of the identified teacher shortage.

 

b)         Scholarship recipients continue to be eligible for scholarship awards subject only to successfully passing each course until the program of preparation is completed. Failure to submit an official transcript or grade report showing successful completion of courses taken under a previous grant shall be sufficient cause to deny an additional scholarship award.

 

c)         Scholarship awards shall be given for full-time or part-time study, shall be valid for one semester, and shall be renewable.

 

d)         Within two years of completion of a program of study qualifying the scholarship recipient to teach in an identified area of teacher shortage, the scholarship recipient shall submit written notification to the State Board of Education stating whether the recipient has accepted employment to teach in an area of teacher shortage in Illinois. Any recipient who fails to submit this notice shall refund all scholarship monies granted. The State Board of Education shall assist recipients in finding employment in areas of identified staff shortages.

 

e)         A recipient who fails to complete a course of training under this scholarship will be responsible for repayment of all the monies received under the scholarship awards.

 

f)         A recipient who drops a course or courses approved for a scholarship award, where an award has been paid to an institution, shall be required to reimburse the state the balance of any scholarship funds not refunded the State Board of Education by the institution.

 

g)         Interruption of the program – individuals who find it necessary to interrupt their preparation must submit written notice to the State Board of Education each term that they are not enrolled in courses.

 

(Source:  Amended at 15 Ill. Reg. 17059, effective November 13, 1991)

 

Section 2772.450  Waiver and Deferral of Repayment

 

a)         Any scholarship recipient who within two years of completion of the program of study has not accepted employment with an Illinois school to teach in an area of teacher shortage shall refund all scholarship monies received to the State Board of Education, except that:

 

1)         Such refunding shall be waived for recipients who previously held a teaching certificate or for recipients with a bachelor's degree and a minimum of ten years in a field other than teaching under one of the following circumstances:

 

A)        Due to financial conditions, no positions to teach (in an area of teacher shortage for which the recipient is qualified) in a school in Illinois within 60 miles of the recipient's residence were available within the two-year period following the recipient's completion of the program; or

 

B)        The recipient applied for each opening in an area of teacher shortage for which the teacher was qualified in such schools within two years of completion of the program but did not obtain any of these positions.

 

2)         Such refunding shall be waived for recipients preparing for a teaching career other than those referred to in subsection (1) if the recipient demonstrates that:

 

A)        Due to financial conditions within districts, no such positions were available during the two-year time period; or

 

B)        The recipient applied for all vacancies in Illinois schools for which he or she was qualified but failed to secure any such position.

 

b)         A scholarship recipient may apply for a deferral of repayment of scholarship monies by submitting a written request for deferral to the State Board of Education. The request shall be accompanied by a sworn statement of recipient's assets and liabilities. A deferral request shall be granted if the request and supporting documentation show that deferral is necessary to prevent financial hardship to the recipient. For this purpose, financial hardship shall mean the inability to meet vital financial obligations that cannot be deferred, including food bills, rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, medical bills not covered by insurance, and other debts incurred for essential living expenses. Deferrals shall not exceed two years.

 

c)         A teacher who is employed in an area of shortage and whose position is terminated within three years shall repay the scholarship monies awarded. Deferral of such repayment shall be granted when the discharged teacher presents evidence of seeking employment in the area of shortage for which the teacher was prepared. Deferrals shall not exceed two years. If the teacher obtains new employment in the area of shortage, repayment shall be waived.

 

(Source:  Amended at 15 Ill. Reg. 17059, effective November 13, 1991)

SUBPART E: EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

 

Section 2772.500  Purpose of the Equal Opportunity Scholarship Program

 

A scholarship program is hereby established for the purpose of providing scholarships to qualified female and minority applicants who agree to take courses at recognized Illinois teacher education institutions in order to prepare as education administrators. "Courses" means courses which are part of a program in educational administration approved pursuant to the provisions of 23 Ill. Adm. Code 25:  Subpart C (Certification).

 

(Source:  Added at 11 Ill. Reg. 3054, effective February 2, 1987)

 

Section 2772.510  Applicant Qualifications

 

An applicant who meets the following qualifications is eligible for an equal opportunity scholarship:

 

a)         is a resident of Illinois (i.e., maintains a permanent home in Illinois);

 

b)         is a female or minority group member (i.e., is Black, Hispanic, Asian American, American Indian, or Alaskan Native); and

 

c)         is enrolled in an approved program in educational administration in a recognized Illinois teacher education institution.

 

(Source:  Added at 11 Ill. Reg. 3054, effective February 2, 1987)

 

Section 2772.520  Application Process

 

Applications must be completed on forms provided by the State Board of Education and must be submitted by the applicable date specified on the form. Completed applications shall include the following information.

 

a)         Name, address and Social Security Number of the applicant.

 

b)         An indication of the applicant's membership in one of the groups designated in Section 2772.510(b) of this Part.

 

c)         A certified transcript showing any postsecondary work completed.

 

d)         A statement by the certification officer of the institution attended that the applicant is enrolled in an approved program of educational administration.

 

e)         An indication of the term and the type of certificate of endorsement for which the scholarship is sought.

 

f)         A statement by the institution's financial assistance officer of the total cost of the tuition and nonrevenue bond fees for the requested courses.

 

g)         A statement signed by the applicant that the information supplied by the applicant is true.

 

(Source:  Added at 11 Ill. Reg. 3054, effective February 2, 1987)

 

Section 2772.530  Terms of the Scholarship

 

a)         Scholarships shall be awarded to provide only the costs of tuition and nonrevenue bond fees.

 

b)         Scholarship recipients continue to be eligible for scholarship awards, subject only to passing each course for which scholarships have been awarded, until the program of preparation is completed. Failure to submit to the State Board of Education an official transcript or grade report showing successful completion of courses under a previous grant shall be sufficient cause to deny an additional award.

 

c)         Scholarship awards will be given for full-time or part-time study, shall be valid for one semester and shall be renewable.

 

d)         Upon completion of the program, the State Board of Education shall assist the recipient in finding employment in educational administration.

 

(Source:  Added at 11 Ill. Reg. 3054, effective February 2, 1987)

 

Section 2772.540  Awards

 

a)         Awards will first be granted on a continuing basis to those persons who were previous recipients and who have passed the courses approved under the previous award.

 

b)         Awards shall next be made on the basis of the order of receipt of the applications in the Springfield, Illinois office of the State Board of Education.

 

c)         Notification of grant awards shall be sent in writing to the grant recipients and their enrolling institutions within 35 days of the applicable submission date for application specified on the application form.

 

d)         Reimbursement for the scholarship will be made directly to the institution for all tuition and fees except revenue bond fees upon receipt by the State Board of Education of a claim listing the individual, social security number, term of the claim and the amount of claim listed by fees and tuition costs. Reimbursement of the scholarship award shall be made only after deducting the total of any other scholarship for tuition and fees which the applicant has received for the same academic term, which information the enrolling institution shall provide in submitting its claim.

 

(Source:  Added at 11 Ill. Reg. 3054, effective February 2, 1987)