S.C. Code Regs. § § 62-550

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024

Section 62-550 - Borrower Eligibility

A. To be eligible to receive a loan under the African-American Teacher Loan Program, a student shall:

(1) Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States;

(2) Be a bona fide resident of South Carolina as defined in applicable State statutes governing the determination of residency for tuition and fee purposes;

(3) Have been accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled in good standing in one of the participating institutions which offers baccalaureate or higher degree programs which are approved for initial teacher certification by the State Board of Education;

(4) Be enrolled on at least a half-time basis;

(5) Indicate a desire to teach in South Carolina in a subject area where there is a shortage of African-American male teachers, or in an area of critical need as defined by the State Board of Education;

(6)

(a) Have completed one year (two semesters or the equivalent) of collegiate work and be attending a participating institution and have taken and passed a "Basic Skills Test" as required by the State Board of Education for entrance into a program of teacher education, if an undergraduate student; or

(b) Have achieved a score equal to or greater than the mean score achieved by all examinees in South Carolina taking the SAT or ACT in the year of graduation from high school or in the most recent year for which such figures are available if an undergraduate student who has not completed one year of collegiate work;

(7)

(a) Have graduated in the top 40% of his or her high school class, if an undergraduate student who has not completed one semester of college work; or

(b) Have received a high school diploma through completion of adult education courses or passing the GED; or

(c) Have attained a cumulative grade point ratio of at least 2.75 GPR (on a 4.0 Scale) in collegiate work, if an undergraduate student;

(8) Be formally admitted to an undergraduate teacher education program if an undergraduate student; or if not yet formally admitted to such a program, the Department of Education (or its equivalent) at a participating institution must certify that the student has expressed an intent or desire to enter the field of teaching, and is enrolled in a teacher education program at a time required by the institution; and

(9) Be eligible for teacher certification in all other respects as may subsequently be required by the State Board of Education and by the respective institution.

B. To be eligible to receive an annual loan renewal, a student shall:

(1) Be eligible for teacher certification in all respects as may subsequently be required by the State Board of Education and by the respective participating institution; and

(2) Have maintained a 2.75 GPR (on a 4.0 scale), and continued enrollment in a teacher education program, if an undergraduate student; or

(3) Have maintained a 3.5 GPR (on a 4.0 scale) on graduate work for entry as well as renewal, if a continuing graduate student.

S.C. Code Regs. § 62-550

Added by State Register Volume 20, Issue No. 5, eff May 24, 1996.