Did you know an MTA proposal for $15,000,000 dedicated for scholarships for teacher preparation programs and some teacher loan forgiveness was approved in the 2022 budget? Let’s track down what is happening with the Tomorrow’s Educators programs.
In the FY2023 Massachusetts General Appropriations budget signed by then-Governor Charlie Baker, a pool of funds was set aside for Tomorrow’s Educators. The funds were divided evenly between the scholarships for candidates who commit to licensure preparation program pathways and loan forgiveness for graduates of public institutions of higher education who commit to four years of employment in a school district. See here for the full language.
At the time The Policy Minute hit publish on this post, both programs are under development. Another year of funding for the programs was not included Governor Maura Healy’s proposed budget for FY2024 but we might see more funding in future budget drafts.
Tomorrow’s Teachers Scholarship Funds
At the February 14, 2023 Board of Higher Education meeting, the guidelines for the revised Tomorrow’s Teachers scholarship program was approved. Take a look at the Tomorrow Teachers guidelines here.
We do not know anything about the application process yet, but promise to post an update once more information is released. We will also have updates on other financial aid resources for teacher candidates. Lets look at some cheers and concerns:
Cheers
The scholarship will award up to $25,000 annually for a candidate enrolled in an undergraduate or post-baccalaureate teacher preparation program.
The funds can be used for tuition, fees and other expenses. This may include, but is not limited to, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, childcare, and personal expenses.
The funds will be available for post-baccalaureate teacher preparation programs. So paraprofessionals, teachers working under Provisional licenses or teachers who were blocked from completing an undergraduate prep program (say, because of MTELs…) would be also eligible.
Concerns
Candidates for teacher licensure who are currently enrolled in Massachusetts community colleges are excluded from eligibility. This include candidates who are pursuing MassTransfer or the A2B programs for teacher preparation programs. They will likely be eligible once they transfer to a four year program.
Candidates are expected to be enrolled in at least 12 credits to be eligible. Although the guidelines indicate there are exceptions (“unless otherwise agreed upon”), the default expectation of 12 credits may discourage candidates from applying for the funds. We hope future guidance will clarify options for candidates in part-time programs and/or post-baccalaureate programs.
There may be only one window for applying for funds. Candidates who may only need funds for a spring semester or who only learn about the program in the fall semester will need to wait until the next academic year. While this makes sense for full-time undergraduate candidates, it could exclude non-traditional candidates from accessing the funds.
Tomorrow’s Educators Loan Forgiveness Program
We do know that $7,500,000 was budgeted for student loan repayment program for public school educators. Eligible educators would include those who have
(a) have completed a bachelor’s degree program at a public institution of higher education, as defined in section 5 of chapter 15A of the General Laws, and including Quincy College, after January 1, 2020,
(b) have outstanding educational debt that was incurred to pay tuition, fees or additional costs of attendance as calculated by the institution of higher education, including, but not limited to, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, child care and personal expenses, while enrolled in an undergraduate degree or post-baccalaureate program at the institution,
(c) commit to and work for 4 years in a school district, as defined in section 2 of chapter 70 of the General Laws, as a teacher, instructional or program paraprofessional, or in any other position that requires a license or other form of certification issued by the department of elementary and secondary education or other state agency.
Cheers
Includes instructional and program paraprofessionals in public schools who have completed a bachelor’s degree from a Massachusetts public institution of higher education.
Up to $7,500 in student loan assistance per individual.
Concerns
We are still waiting for draft regulations to be published.
FY2023 Tomorrow’s Educators Language
7061-9805 For programs to encourage graduates of the commonwealth’s public institutions of higher education to work as public school educators; provided, that not less than $7,500,000 shall be expended to fund the tomorrow’s educators scholarship program established pursuant to section 19D of chapter 15A of the General Laws as amended by this act; provided further, that not less than $7,500,000 shall be expended for a student loan repayment assistance program for public school educators; provided further, that the student loan repayment assistance program shall be administered by the executive office of education and that funds for the program may be expended to enhance existing loan repayment assistance programs, if appropriate; provided further, that the student loan repayment assistance program shall provide assistance of not more than $7,500 per eligible individual; provided further, that said program shall prioritize the recruitment and retention of racially, culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse educators consistent with chapter 132 of the acts of 2019 to diversify the educator workforce; provided further, that to be eligible for loan repayment assistance under this item, an individual shall: (a) have completed a bachelor’s degree program at a public institution of higher education, as defined in section 5 of chapter 15A of the General Laws, and including Quincy College, after January 1, 2020; (b) have outstanding educational debt that was incurred to pay tuition, fees or additional costs of attendance as calculated by the institution of higher education, including, but not limited to, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, child care and personal expenses, while enrolled in an undergraduate degree or post-baccalaureate program at the institution; and (c) commit to and work for 4 years in a school district, as defined in section 2 of chapter 70 of the General Laws, as a teacher, instructional or program paraprofessional, or in any other position that requires a license or other form of certification issued by the department of elementary and secondary education or other state agency; provided further, that the executive office of education shall promulgate regulations for the administration and enforcement of the student loan repayment assistance program which shall include repayment procedures if a participating individual fails to comply with the program requirements; provided further, that if the funds appropriated for the program are insufficient to cover costs of all eligible individuals, priority shall be given to educators working in school districts with higher shares of students who are designated as low income, as defined in said section 2 of said chapter 70; provided further, that not less than 45 days prior to the obligation of funds for the loan repayment assistance program, the executive office of education shall submit a comprehensive program plan to the executive office for administration and finance, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on education; and provided further, that funds from this item may be expended on a public awareness campaign on the loan repayment assistance program…….. $15,000,000
See malegislature.gov/Budget/FY2023/FinalBudget
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SECTION 10. Chapter 15A of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out section 19D, as so appearing, and inserting in place thereof the following section:-
Section 19D. There shall be a scholarship program to be administered by the board, in consultation with the department of elementary and secondary education, which shall be known as the tomorrow’s educators program to encourage students to teach in public schools by providing qualified students with scholarships for tuition, fees and additional costs of attendance as calculated by the student’s institution of higher education, including, but not limited to, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, child care and personal expenses, for a bachelor’s degree program or post-baccalaureate coursework at a public institution of higher education in the commonwealth leading to the certification required for employment at a public school. The program shall be subject to appropriation.
The board shall promulgate guidelines governing the tomorrow’s educators program which shall include the following:
(1) Eligibility for the program shall be limited to high school graduates, undergraduate students and students enrolled in post-baccalaureate educator preparation programs who: (i) agree to complete a bachelor’s degree or post-baccalaureate educator preparation program in a public institution of higher education in the commonwealth; (ii) successfully complete a bachelor’s degree or post-baccalaureate educator preparation program at the institution of higher education and obtain the appropriate certification in accordance with section 38G of chapter 71; and (iii) commit to teaching for 4 years in a school district, as defined in section 2 of chapter 70, in the commonwealth.
(2) An outreach plan to attract individuals from underrepresented populations to the education profession through the program, which shall diversify the educator workforce consistent with chapter 132 of the acts of 2019.
(3) Procedures for repayment of the amount of scholarship benefits for persons who participate in the program but who fail to complete the 4-year teaching commitment; provided, however, that the procedures shall be designed to ensure there are no disincentives for low-income students to participate in the program and shall consider: (i) the amount of scholarship benefits the participant has received; (ii) the participant’s current income if not working as a public school educator; (iii) whether the participant is currently working in another position that helps to support or educate students; and (iv) the amount of time the participant taught in a public school district in the commonwealth.