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2012-13
Minority Teacher Education Scholarship Program/
Florida Fund for Minority Teachers, Inc.
Fact Sheet


Florida Statutes 1009.60


Program Description
The Minority Teacher Education Scholarship (MTES) program is a collaborative performance-based scholarship program for African-American, Hispanic-American, Asian-American, and Native American students administered by the Florida Fund for Minority Teachers, Inc. (FFMT).

The participants in the program include Florida's colleges (public community colleges) and its public and private universities that have teacher education programs.  A listing of eligible institutions and contact information is available at Florida Fund for Minority Teachers Institutions.

This program is decentralized and administered by a non-profit agency housed at the University of Florida’s College of Education and governed by a Board of Directors comprised of higher education leaders throughout the state.  The Department of Education (FDOE), Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) receives the legislative appropriation for this program.  The website at www.ffmt.org provides detailed information regarding this program.

Initial Eligibility Requirements to Receive Funding
The student will:
  • Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen while meeting Florida’s residency requirement for receipt of state student financial aid.  A student’s citizenship and residency statuses are determined by the postsecondary institution.
  • Have earned 60 credit hours or an Associate of Arts degree.
  • Be a junior and have not earned a baccalaureate degree in education.
  • Have not exceeded 18 hours of upper division education courses at the time of application.
  • Have and maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average.
  • Be a member of one of the following racial groups:  African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American/Pacific Islander, or American Indian/Alaskan native.
  • Be newly admitted into a teacher education program at any of the program’s eligible participating postsecondary institutions.

Applying for an Award
Applications are available on the FFMT website at www.ffmt.org by selecting Scholarship and then Information.  Scroll to the bottom of the page for the application. The application deadline for the fall semester is August 1 and for the spring semester is November 15.

 
    Student Selection
    Each eligible participating institution appoints a screening committee to review each application.  The committee nominates candidates to FFMT’s administrative office, which announces its final selection each semester.  An applicant’s eligibility is determined by the following criteria and should be documented accordingly.
    • An applicant’s selection is based on qualities which would indicate the student’s potential to become a good teacher.  These qualities include writing ability, communication skills, overall academic performance, and evidence of commitment to the youth of America, preferably demonstrated through volunteer activities.
    • Special consideration is given to Florida college (public community college) graduates.
    • Each new scholar will receive a congratulatory letter and a promissory note that must be signed and returned within 30 days of receipt.
    • This scholar should keep a copy of the promissory note to refer to the terms and conditions of the scholarship.
Student Award Renewal
  • A renewal application is not required.  A recipient is automatically considered for a renewal award each semester (fall and spring).
  • Eligibility for renewal is determined at the end of each semester (fall and spring).

 
    The Renewal Applicant will:
    • Maintain satisfactory academic progress as determined by the recipient’s postsecondary institution.
    • Have earned a minimum institutional cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for full-time enrollment.
    • Have met the full-time credit hour requirement of 12 minimum credit hours per term funded (or the equivalent).
    • Have attended Annual Recruitment and Retention Conferences.
Failure to Meet the Minimum Renewal GPA
  • A student who does not meet the required institutional GPA requirement upon the completion of a term (spring or fall) and wishes to reestablish use of the award, will be granted one semester of a probationary period.
  • During the probationary semester, the student must enroll and earn the minimum GPA required by MTES (2.5 on a 4.0 scale).
  • If the student does not meet the required institutional GPA requirement upon the completion of that term (spring or fall), the student becomes ineligible to receive funding for the next term (spring or fall).
  • A student who does not meet a minimum required 2.5 institutional GPA after a second probationary period, will be ineligible for MTES funding.

Failure to Meet the Minimum Renewal Credit Hours
  • A student who does not meet the required hours requirement upon the completion of a term (spring or fall) and wishes to reestablish use of the award, will be granted one semester of a probationary period.
  • During the probationary semester, the student must enroll and earn the minimum hours required by MTES (12 minimum credit hours per term funded or the equivalent).
  • If the student does not meet the required the hours requirement upon the completion of that term (spring or fall), the student becomes ineligible to receive funding for the next term (spring or fall).
  • A student who does not meet the minimum required full-time credit hours requirement (12 minimum credit hours per term funded or the equivalent) after a second probationary period, will be ineligible for MTES funding.

Student Award Reinstatement
  • A student who intends to delay or not use the award for a specified period of time should notify FFMT and the postsecondary institution in order to have the scholarship funds reserved.  The completion of a Scholarship Deferment Form, available to download from the FFMT website, is required and must be submitted to FFMT.
  • An ineligible student who did not meet the required institutional GPA and/or hours requirements upon the completion of the probationary term (spring or fall) and wishes to reestablish use of the award, may enroll and earn the minimum GPA and/or hours required by MTES during the summer term or thereafter. Then, upon earning the required institutional GPA and/or hours required, the recipient may apply for reinstatement.  To request reinstatement:
    • A student must write a letter of request for reinstatement to the FFMT accompanied with a recent official transcript documenting the updated GPA and/or hours earned. Mail FFMT correspondence to:  FFMT, P. O. Box 117045, Gainesville, FL 32611-7045
    • Upon FFMT approval, the MTES recipient is provided a one-time reinstatement opportunity.

Award Procedures
  • The FFMT will determine applicant eligibility
  • The 2012-13 academic annual award amount (fall and spring) is $4,000 for a full-time student ($2,000 per semester).

Awards Disbursement
OSFA allocates funds to FFMT.  FFMT disburses the funds to the financial aid offices of eligible postsecondary institutions.  Each postsecondary institution distributes awards to eligible students.

Terms of Eligibility
  • A student is eligible to receive an award for a maximum of 4 semesters ($8,000) for undergraduate study or 6 semesters ($12,000) in a program requiring 5 years to receive certification (if funding is available) at an eligible institution.
  • Unused semesters may not be used for further course funding after a student earns a baccalaureate degree.

Student Obligation
  • Upon graduation, a recipient is required to teach one year in a Florida public school for each year the scholarship ($4,000) was received.
  • If a recipient does not graduate within the 2-3 years of receiving scholarship funding (unless deferment is requested and approved ), or if a recipient does not teach in a Florida public school, the recipient will be required to repay the total amount of the scholarship received at an annual interest rate of eight percent (8%), paid within 10 years.  Conditions of payment must be established with the FFMT.
    • Repayments for required teaching experience may be made in cash (scholarship plus interest), paid within 10 years.
    • Conditions of repayment must be established with FFMT.  Late payments will subject the recipient to penalty charges.
    • If a recipient does not repay the scholarship, legal action may be taken to force the recipient to pay.
  • Complete required forms for documented circumstances, teaching service, and repayment.

Note:  MTES recipients should refer to their promissory notes for information on required forms, deferments, penalties, and other detailed scholarship information.

Appeal Process
An applicant who believes financial aid has been wrongly denied has certain rights to appeal.

If aid is denied for failure to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements, an applicant may appeal the denial to the institution by providing proof of illness or other emergency beyond the applicant's control.  An institutional academic progress appeal is to be filed in writing within 30 days of the denial letter or by the date established by the institution's financial aid office, whichever is later.

Updating Information
A recipient must submit to the FFMT, Form Attachment D, Status Update Form (available on the FFMT website), when any of the following circumstances occur before the scholarship is repaid:
  • graduation from the approved program,
  • change in name,
  • change in address,
  • change of college or university, and
  • termination of full-time enrollment.

A recipient must also request the school to notify the FFMT in writing of expected date of graduation changes.
  • Mail FFMT correspondence to: FFMT, P. O. Box 117045, Gainesville, FL 32611-7045
  • Call FFMT at (352) 392-9196 for assistance.

Use of an Applicant’s Social Security Number/Non-discrimination Statement
The Privacy Act of 1974 requires state agencies to inform applicants of the reasons for requesting their Social Security numbers (SSN).  The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) requests an SSN on all applications for student financial assistance in order to correctly identify applicants, match each applicant's financial aid record with the student record at the postsecondary institution the applicant attends, and help coordinate state student aid programs with federal student aid programs.

An applicant will not be denied financial assistance for failure to disclose the SSN.  Without an SSN, correct identification of an applicant's record cannot be assured and may result in an error in the award amount or a delay in the disbursement of an award.

Pursuant to Section 1000.05, Florida Statutes, state student financial assistance is provided to eligible applicants without discriminating on the basis of race, sex, national origin, marital status, or handicap.  Minority status will be considered when required by law as a condition of eligibility or selection.

For further information contact the FFMT at (352) 392-9196, or the financial aid office at eligible participating postsecondary institutions.

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