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SSACI > Grants/Scholarships - by Program > Minority Teacher/Special Services Scholarship Minority Teacher/Special Services Scholarship

Purpose

The Minority Teacher Scholarship was created by the 1988 Indiana General Assembly to address the critical shortage of Black and Hispanic teachers in Indiana. In 1990 the Indiana General Assembly amended the Minority program to include the field of Special Education, and in 1991 the fields of Occupational and Physical Therapy were added.

Eligibility

To be eligible you must be:

  1. A minority student (defined as Black or Hispanic) seeking a teaching certification; or
    A student seeking a Special Education teaching certification; or
    A student seeking an Occupational or Physical Therapy certification.
  2. An Indiana resident and an US Citizen.
  3. Admitted to an eligible institution as a full time student or already attending as a full time student.
  4. Pursuing or intend to pursue a course of study that would enable the student upon graduation to teach in an accredited elementary or secondary school in Indiana.
  5. Complete and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  6. Not be in default on a State or Federally-funded Student loan.
  7. Meet all minimum criteria established by the Commission.

In addition, students who are already enrolled in college, must have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.0 on a scale of 4.0 or the equivalent, or meet the minimum GPA requirements established at the college for its school of education, if it is higher.

Colleges are responsible for making the actual awards. Financial need may be considered but it is not a requirement to apply. Preference will be given to minority students and students enrolling in college for the first time. Scholarships are non-transferable between universities.

Renewal Scholarships

Scholars must:

  1. Maintain the cumulative minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.0 on a scale of 4.0 or the equivalent, or meet the minimum GPA requirements established at the college for its school of education, if it is higher.
  2. Reapply each year.

Scholarship Value

The maximum annual scholarship is $1,000. However, if a minority student applicant demonstrates financial need he/she may be eligible to receive up to $4,000 annually. Colleges will determine the actual amount when reviewing a scholar's financial aid package. Colleges may not reduce a scholar's state or federal gift (free) financial aid, if any, when awarding the scholarship. The scholarship amount will be divided into semester or quarterly disbursements, the same as other financial aid.

Conditions

Scholars must agree to:

  1. Pursue a program which leads to either a teaching or Occupational or Physical Therapy Certification.
  2. Complete the Teacher or Occupational or Physical Therapy certification program within six (6) years from the time the first scholarship is received.
  3. Teach on a full time basis in an accredited Indiana elementary or secondary school; or
  4. Practice in the field of Occupational or Physical Therapy in an accredited school, vocational rehabilitation center, community mental retardation or other developmental disabilities center, for 3 years out of the first 5 years after certification.

Those who fail to fulfill the terms of their scholarship agreements must reimburse the State of Indiana.

Applications should be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid at the school where the applicant plans to attend. View and print the application Online.

Colleges and Universities Participating in The Minority Teacher and Special Education Services Scholarship Program

If you have any questions regarding this program forward your messages to special@ssaci.state.in.us