Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a High Needs School District?
A school district in the United States that has at least one school that is high needs, meaning it has a high number of students on free and reduced lunch and/or a high number of teachers teaching out of their content areas and/or a high teacher turnover rate.
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How long do I have to teach to pay back my scholarship?
For each year of funding ($12,000), you will have to teach for 2 years in a high needs school district.
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How long do I have to fulfill my teaching service requirement?
An individual awarded a scholarship as an undergraduate is expected to serve as a STEM teacher in a high-need local educational agency for two years, for each full-year of a scholarship received, to be fulfilled within eight years after completing the program.
An individual awarded a one year stipend (MT student) is expected to serve as a STEM teacher in a high-need local educational agency for two years, to be fulfilled within four years after completing the program.
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Do I have to teach high school?
Our program will certify you to teach science or mathematics in grades 9-12. However, you can add on middle level certification through taking one additional course. So, you may choose to teach high school or middle school. However, we only fund students who go through our Secondary (grades 9-12) MT certification programs, not the undergraduate middle level program.
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What happens if I don't teach in a high needs district?
You will be required to pay back the funds you received.
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What are my responsibilities while I'm a student?
You will be required to take EDSE 310/410, a one credit course, during the fall semester as well as attend monthly meetings with other grant participants. You may also be required to attend 4 meetings per year at Midlands Technical College. You must keep your GPA at a 3.0 or higher.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. (1660700 and 2151036 )
