What are the requirements for the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program?

Information on the Federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program can be found at https://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/teacher.

Who is considered an eligible teacher?

An eligible teacher is a person who provides direct classroom teaching, or classroom-type teaching in a non-classroom setting on a full time basis. Special Education teachers are considered teachers.

How can I find out if my school is a low-income school or educational service agency?

The list of eligible schools in Florida can be found on the program’s “Annual Directory of Designated Low-Income Schools for Teacher Cancellation Benefits” at https://www.tcli.ed.gov/CBSWebApp/tcli/TCLIPubSchoolSearch.jsp.

What factors do states use to determine if a school is eligible to be a "low income school?"

To be included in the Teacher Cancellation Low Income (TCLI) Directory, a school must meet the following criteria:

• The school must be a public or other nonprofit elementary or secondary school.
• The School must be in a school district of a Local Educational Agency (LEA) that is eligible each year for assistance under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA).
• The number of children enrolled in the school who meet a measure of poverty under Section 1113(a)(f) of the ESEA must exceed 30 percent(Florida schools must have a poverty rate of at least 35 percent) of the total enrollment of that school.

What is an educational service agency?

An educational service agency is a regional public multiservice agency authorized by State statute to develop, manage, and provide services or programs to local educational agencies, as defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended.

How often is the TCLI Directory Updated?

State and Territory agencies are asked to update the TCLI Directory at least annually. However, updates may be made at any time continuously throughout the year for the reporting year as well as past years.

When is the TCLI Directory Updated?

The directory is updated by May 1 of any year.

Can I be “highly qualified” and be ineligible?

Yes, a teacher must be highly qualified and have held a Professional license for five consecutive years to be eligible for Teacher Loan Forgiveness. The law requires teachers to have a bachelor's degree and full state certification and to demonstrate content knowledge in the subjects they teach.

What do I need to obtain “full state certification?”

A teacher will need to have passed state required tests to obtain a Professional license.