William Winter Teacher Scholar Loan Program (State of Mississippi)

This program is specifically designed to increase the supply of teacher educators for public schools in Mississippi.

Eligibility Requirements (subject to change without prior notification)

• Current legal Mississippi resident
• Enrolled as a full-time student in a program leading to a Class "A" teaching license
• Entering freshmen enrolled in a teacher education program leading to a Class "A" teaching license must have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) and an ACT score of 21 or higher. Up to $1000 per year will be awarded per academic year to Freshman/ Sophomore recipients and up to $3,000 will be awarded per academic year to Junior/Senior recipients. Award is made on an annual basis with priority given to renewal students. Program participation is limited to 4 years or $8,000.
• Sophomores, juniors, seniors, and persons seeking a second baccalaureate degree leading to a Class "A" teaching license must have a cumulative college GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Up to $1000 per year will be awarded per academic year to Sophomore recipients and up to $3,000 will be awarded per academic year to Junior/Senior recipients. Award is made on an annual basis with priority given to renewal students. Program participation is limited to 4 years or $8,000.
• Recipients must maintain a 2.5 GPA in a teacher education program leading to a Class "A" teaching license each year to be eligible to continue under the program.
• Discharge of obligation is one year's teaching service in ANY Mississippi public school for one year's loan/scholarship. If the service is performed in a critical teaching shortage area and the student received four annual awards (see Critical Needs Teacher Scholarship Program), the incentive is 4 years' forgiveness for 3 years of service. Failure to meet the service requirement will result in immediate repayment plus interest.
  
  
• Program is open to all that meet the above qualifications and apply by the annual deadline, regardless of income level. Total number of awards and recipients are dependent upon availability of funds. Awards are made on a FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
  
  
• Application deadline is established each year. In the past the deadline has been April 1 for graduating high school seniors and April 30 for everyone else. Call the Mississippi Office of State Financial Aid at 1-800-327-2980 or (601) 432-6997 or e-mail at sfa@ihl.state.ms.us for application deadlines and application materials.

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