Award Determination for IFTC

• Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA); 
• Status as a minority student; and 
• Expected Family Contribution (EFC), from the lowest to the highest.

After each round of awarding for the Teacher Education Scholarship Programs (TESP), student award notifications/announcements are mailed to those students considered (i.e., completed Initial Certification Documents are received by ISAC from the school, timely applications, etc.) for an award. Additional awards are made as funding is available.

Student Award Announcements

Based on the Initial Certification Document(s) that the postsecondary school completes and returns to ISAC, as well as the above factors, ISAC proceeds with the awarding process and sends the appropriate notification for each applicant.

One of three types of award announcements is sent to eligible students. Award information is available at My Zone after each round of awarding to assist in identifying which students were eligible for TESP awards and which students would be funded.

The three award announcement categories for eligible students are:

• Eligible - Funded - students who are eligible for the award; 
• Eligible - Unavailable Funds - students who are eligible for the award, but for whom funds are not available; and 
• Eligible - Unavailable Funds (IFTC Teachers Only) - students who are eligible for an award based on enrollment in a teacher education program, but for whom funds are not available.

Applicants determined to be ineligible for the award receive a Notification of Ineligibility. They have the option to appeal the denial.  Students who no longer qualify for the scholarship will receive a Notification of Disqualification letter from ISAC. 

Award Amount

The amount of each award is determined by whether the applicant is studying a teacher shortage discipline or agreeing to teach at a hard-to-staff school or both. Award amounts are as follows:

• Up to $5,000 for individuals who agree to teach in a Teacher Shortage Discipline: or 
• Up to $5,000 for individuals who agree to teach in a hard-to-staff school: or 
• Up to $10,000 for individuals who agree to teach in a Teacher Shortage Discipline at a hard-to-staff school.

A recipient may receive up to 4 semesters or 6 quarters of assistance.

• The IFTC scholarship is applicable only toward tuition, fees and room and board charges or commuter allowances, if applicable. This scholarship may also be used to replace the student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
• The annual scholarship amount shall be computed by the institution and be the lesser of:
  • Tuition and fees plus room and board expenses charged by the institution; 
  • Tuition and fees plus the institution's standard cost of living allowance for students living off-campus; or 
  • The maximum award. 
• The total amount of the IFTC Program assistance awarded to a qualified applicant in a given academic year, when added to the other financial aid available to the qualified applicant for that year, cannot exceed the cost of attendance.