Teacher Education Program (TEP)

Students in the Teaching Credential Program are post baccalaureate students. The types of financial aid available to students pursuing a teaching credential are very specific and different from undergraduate or graduate aid types  Application Admissions Requirements Enrollment Requirements Financial Aid Available Teacher Loan Forgiveness & Forbearance Program Academic Progress Frequently_Asked_Questions Please answer NO to numbers 28 & 49 on the 2008-09 FAFSA - Teacher Credential Program students are not in the master's or doctorate program.

Application To be considered for financial aid, TEP students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). When completing your FAFSA please include the following: Please answer NO to numbers 28 & 49 on the 2008-09 FAFSA Worksheet/Application - you are not in the master's or doctorate program. Please review Step 3 of the FAFSA - to be considered an independent student for financial aid purposes you must be able to answer YES to at least one question in Step 3 (Other than question #49) Question #23 - please enter the number 7 for teaching credential program Question #24 - please enter the number 5 for 5th year/other undergraduate Question #28 - please answer NO (although you have your degree, to be considered for Pell Grant you must indicate that you have not received a degree.)                                                                         ^ Top

Admissions Requirements Your admission status will determine what types of financial aid you are eligible for. TEP students who are provisionally admitted to the program per the Credential Office are considered in a "pre-admit" status. These students are classified as CODE 1. Once a TEP student is admitted into the program by the Credential Office they become classified as CODE 5 or 8.                                                                                   ^ Top

Enrollment Requirements Enrollment requirements to receive aid for TEP students are the same as for undergraduate students. Full time 12 TED units and above Three Quarter time 9 - 11 units Half -time 6 - 8 units Less than half time and not eligible for financial aid 1 - 5 units   ^ Top

Financial Aid Available Pre-Admit students (Code 1) are eligible for Stafford loans. Students in this status are eligible for one year only while completing the requirements needed to be officially admitted into TEP. Admitted students (Code 5 or 8) are eligible for Pell Grant, State University Grant, APLE, Robert Noyce Scholarship Program, Perkins Loan and Stafford Loan. 2nd Teacher Credential Program Students (Administrative Service Credentials) are only eligible for Perkins , Stafford Loans (5th year undergrad level) or Alternative Loans. They are NOT ELIGIBLE for any grant aid. Pell Grant funds can only be paid on units required for a preliminary teaching credential in the State of California. A list of these classes is provided by the College of Education and Integrative Studies. (Need to be in at least 6 required units each quarter to be eligible for any Pell Grant.) Following census, classes will be reviewed to ensure that they are approved courses. If not, your Pell Grant funds will be adjusted. Pell Grant checks will be mailed to TEP students about three weeks after pre-registration and/or the add/drop period, depending on when you register.                                                                                   ^ Top

Teacher Loan Forgiveness and Forbearance Programs For more information on the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program click here. The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Application is used to evaluate an FFEL Program or a Direct Loan Program borrower's eligibility for up to $5,000 in forgiveness benefits for highly qualified teachers or up to $17,500 for highly qualified mathematics, science, and special education teachers. The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Forbearance form is used to determine forbearance eligibility for FFEL or Direct Loan borrowers who are completing their teaching service requirements before applying for teacher loan forgiveness.                                                                                   ^ Top

Academic Progress Students in TEP must meet the following academic progress definitions to remain eligible for financial aid: You are required to complete 27 units each year (if you were paid for full time enrollment for financial aid)   You are required to end the academic year with at 2.0 cumulative GPA or better. When you reach 75 units attempted you will no longer be eligible for financial aid. Please review complete SAP requirements on the Financial Aid Website for more information.                                                                         ^ Top

Frequently Asked Questions Q: I already have one credential and now I am working toward another credential, am I eligible for financial aid? A: You will only be eligible for Perkins Loan, Stafford Loan (5th year undergrad levels) or Alternative Loans. Q: I am taking classes to prepare for the MSAT, am I eligible for financial aid? A: Students taking classes to prepare for tests are not eligible for financial aid. Q: I am in the blended program am I considered an undergraduate or post graduate? A: You are considered an undergraduate student for financial aid funding until you receive your first BA or BS degree. Q: I am enrolled in the TEP program, but I am also in a Masters program. What is my status and what kind of aid am I eligible for? A: You will be treated as an postgraduate student for financial aid. You need to show as in the Credential Program (only) to be considered for Pell Grant and can not show as in Master's Program. You status needs to match your FAFSA information. You must be enrolled at least half-time and cannot be solely enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program. Only the courses that are required for TEP can be considered when determining your enrollment status and awarding Pell grant. Back to Financial Aid Homepage                                   ^ Top