1 Colo. Code Regs. § 301-113-3.00

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 22, November 25, 2024

Section 1 CCR 301-113-3.00 - FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

3.1 A member of the armed forces with honorable discharge status or currently serving, or a nonmilitary-affiliated educator candidate may apply to the program to receive financial assistance of up to $10,000 for the tuition cost of an educator preparation program in which the applicant is enrolled.

3.2 The department shall review each application and determine whether the applicant meets the following criteria for participation in the program:

3.02(1) Is enrolled in a Colorado-approved traditional or alternative educator preparation program or institute of higher education for applicants pursuing a CTE credential; and

3.02(2) Meets one of the following:

3.02(2)(a) Has an earned bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university and has secured employment as an alternative teacher or temporary educator eligibility (TEE) educator in a rural or small rural district; or

3.02(2)(b) Is currently employed as a paraprofessional in a school district, charter school or BOCES and is working toward a baccalaureate degree as required to pursue a professional teaching license; or

3.02(2)(c) Has secured a position as a CTE instructor in a rural or small rural district and meets state CTE requirements:

3.02(2)(c)(i) as outlined in 23-60-304(3)(a) and section 4.04 of 1 CCR 301-37; or

3.02(2)(c)(ii) has the equivalent of eighteen (18) semester hours of postsecondary enrollment and six (6) years of military experience that are applicable to a CTE credential.

3.3 Subject to available appropriations, upon determination of qualification, the Department shall provide to the educator preparation program in which the qualified program participant is enrolled financial assistance for the tuition cost of the educator preparation program up to the total amount of the applicant's award. The maximum award for each applicant is $10,000.

3.03(1) As a condition of receiving financial assistance, applicants must agree to serve for a minimum of three years in a rural or small rural district or in an educator shortage area, as determined by the State Board of Education. Residency year(s) in an approved alternative preparation program can count towards the years of teaching in a rural or small rural school district or an educator shortage area.

3.03(1)(a) For programs that are more than one year in length, payments may be made to the educator preparation program in multiple installments throughout the duration of the program. For programs lasting more than one year, or for situations requiring payments to be made subsequent to the year of the original award, payment will depend on availability of funds for the fiscal year in which payment is requested.

3.03(1)(a)(i) The Department will issue a grant award letter to the educator preparation program for an amount of up to $10,000. The total amount of payment(s) made will depend on the actual tuition amount of the educator preparation program. The grant payments may not exceed the tuition amount of the program.

3.4 If the qualified program participant does not fulfill the service condition outlined in Rule 3.03(1), and without documentation of good cause (such as illness, death, spouse military transfer, etc.), the participant shall repay the awarded financial assistance to the Department within 90 days of leaving their employment in a rural school district, small rural school district, or educator shortage area.

3.04(1) Program participants must sign an agreement acknowledging the commitment to teach in a rural school district, small rural district, or shortage area for three years as a condition of funding and agreeing to pay back the funds if they do not complete the service obligation.

3.04(2) Program participants must also annually certify their continued employment in a rural school district, small rural district, or shortage area for the entire three-year service period.

1 CCR 301-113-3.00

44 CR 23, December 10, 2021, effective 12/30/2021

45 CR 21, November 10, 2022, effective 11/30/2022