N.Y. Education Law § 669-f: New York state masters-in-education teacher incentive scholarship program

§ 669-f. New York state masters-in-education teacher incentive

scholarship program. 1. Eligibility. Students who are matriculated in

an approved master's degree in education program at a New York state

college, as defined in subdivision two of section six hundred one of

this title, leading to a career as a teacher in public elementary,

secondary, or early childhood education shall be eligible for an award

under this section, provided the applicant: (a) earned an undergraduate

degree from a college located in New York state; (b) was a New York

state resident while earning such undergraduate degree; (c) achieved

academic excellence as an undergraduate student, as defined by the

corporation in regulation; (d) enrolls in full-time study in an approved

master's degree in education program at a New York state college, as

defined in subdivision two of section six hundred one of this title,

leading to a career as a teacher in public elementary, secondary or

early childhood education; (e) signs a contract with the corporation

agreeing to teach in a classroom setting on a full-time basis for five

years in a school located within New York state providing public

elementary, secondary or early childhood education recognized by the

board of regents or the university of the state of New York, including

charter schools authorized pursuant to article fifty-six of this

chapter; and (f) complies with the applicable provisions of this article

and all requirements promulgated by the corporation for the

administration of the program.

1-a. Preference for scholarship awards. Preference for the award of

scholarships shall be given to eligible students matriculated at public

colleges, as defined in subdivision two of section six hundred one of

this title, in New York state. Remaining scholarships may be awarded to

other eligible students matriculated at private colleges, as defined in

subdivision two of section six hundred one of this title, in New York

state.

2. Within amounts appropriated therefor, awards shall be granted to

applicants that the corporation has certified are eligible to receive

such awards. Up to five hundred awards may be granted to new recipients

annually. Such awards shall be granted upon successful completion of

each term, as defined by the corporation.

3. An award shall entitle the recipient to annual payments for not

more than two academic years of full-time graduate study leading to

certification as an elementary, secondary or early childhood teacher.

4. The corporation shall grant such awards in an amount equal to the

annual tuition charged to state resident students attending a graduate

program full-time at the state university of New York, or actual tuition

charged, whichever is less; provided, however, (i) a student who

receives educational grants and/or scholarships that cover the student's

full cost of attendance shall not be eligible for an award under this

program; (ii) for a student who receives educational grants and/or

scholarships that cover less than the student's full cost of attendance,

such grants and/or scholarships shall not be deemed duplicative of this

program and may be held concurrently with an award under this program,

provided that the combined benefits do not exceed the student's full

cost of attendance; and (iii) an award under this program shall be

applied to tuition after the application of all other educational grants

and scholarships limited to tuition and shall be reduced in an amount

equal to such educational grants and/or scholarships. Upon notification

of an award under this program, the institution shall defer the amount

of tuition equal to the award. No award shall be final until the

recipient's successful completion of a term has been certified by the

institution. A recipient of an award under this program shall not be

eligible for an award under the New York state math and science teaching

incentive program.

5. The corporation shall convert to a student loan the full amount of

the award granted pursuant to this section, plus interest, according to

a schedule to be determined by the corporation if: (a) two years after

the completion of the degree program and receipt of initial

certification it is found that a recipient is neither teaching in a

public school located within New York state providing elementary or

secondary education recognized by the board of regents or the university

of the state of New York, including charter schools authorized pursuant

to article fifty-six of this chapter, nor employed by an eligible agency

as defined by paragraph b of subdivision one of section thirty-six

hundred two-e of this chapter; (b) a recipient has neither taught in a

public school located within New York state providing elementary or

secondary education recognized by the board of regents or the university

of the state of New York, including charter schools authorized pursuant

to article fifty-six of this chapter, nor been employed by an eligible

agency as defined by paragraph b of subdivision one of section

thirty-six hundred two-e of this chapter, for five of the seven years

after the completion of the graduate degree program and receipt of

initial certification; (c) a recipient fails to complete their graduate

degree program in education; (d) a recipient fails to receive or

maintain their teaching certificate or license in New York state for the

required period; or (e) a recipient fails to respond to requests by the

corporation for the status of their academic or professional progress.

The terms and conditions of this subdivision shall be deferred for any

interruption in graduate study or employment as established by the rules

and regulations of the corporation. Any obligation to comply with such

provisions as outlined in this section shall be cancelled upon the death

of the recipient. Notwithstanding any provisions of this subdivision to

the contrary, the corporation is authorized to promulgate rules and

regulations to provide for the waiver or suspension of any financial

obligation which would involve extreme hardship.

6. The corporation is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations,

and may promulgate emergency regulations, necessary for the

implementation of the provisions of this section including, but not

limited to, the criteria for the provision of awards on a competitive

basis, and the rate of interest charged for repayment of the student

loan.