Math and Science Scholars Loan Repayment Program

The primary purpose of the Math and Science Scholars Loan Repayment Program is to encourage teachers who demonstrated high academic achievement as math or science majors to teach math or science for at least four years in Title I* public schools in Texas. 

*Schools that receive federal funding under Title I, Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

For more details, review Title 19 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 23, Subchapter J.

How to Apply 

The application period for the 2022-2023 school year will open in April 2023.

Program Requirements

Teachers who enrolled in the program after September 1, 2019 must have graduated with a 3.0 or higher GPA, and must agree to teach at least four consecutive years at Texas public schools that receive federal Title I funding. The maximum award amount for the current academic year has been increased to $10,000.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for conditional approval a teacher must:

• have completed an undergraduate or graduate program in mathematics or science
• have earned a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a four-point scale or the equivalent, at the institution from which the teacher graduated
• be certified under the Texas Education Code, Subchapter B, Chapter 21, or under a probationary teaching certificate, to teach mathematics or science in a Texas public school (a generalist certificate is NOT eligible)
• have secured an employment contract as a full-time classroom teacher to teach mathematics or science in a Title I school at the time of application for enrollment in the program
• be a U.S. citizen
• submit a completed application, including an official transcript from the institution from which the applicant graduated, to THECB by the application deadline
• not have received or be receiving a Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant

Award Amount

• Up to $10,000. 
• Loan repayment awards are reported to the Internal Revenue Service by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Eligible Loan

The following requirements apply for a loan to be eligible for repayment through the program:

• must be evidenced by a promissory note which required the loan proceeds to be used to pay for the cost of attendance for undergraduate or graduate education
• must not be in a default status at the time of application

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to commit to eight years of service?

     If you applied before September 1, 2019, you agreed to provide eight consecutive years of service. The first four consecutive years of service must be in a Texas public school that receives federal funding under Title I, while the other four consecutive years may be in any public school in Texas. 

     If you applied on or after September 1, 2019, the agreement calls for at least four consecutive years of service in a Texas public school that receives federal funding under Title I, and you may provide up to an additional four consecutive years at any public school in Texas. 

    You will be released from the agreement if funding for the program is not available.

What happens if I leave the program?  Do I have to pay back any money I received?
     No. You will not be required to pay back any funds received if you leave the eligible school, move to another state, or fail to meet any of the program requirements. You will be removed from the program and will no longer be eligible for any loan repayment programs offered by the State of Texas.

What is considered a full-time classroom teacher?
     Teaching a minimum of four hours a day. 

I am participating in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Does this disqualify me from any loan repayment program?
     No. This program requires a person to make 120 payments before the loan is potentially forgiven. The verification process does not take place until after all 120 payments have been made. A participant may complete the state program before all 120 payments have been made on their federal loans.

When will I receive my award?
     The annual award will be mailed to the lender after you have completed each year of service and all required documentation has been received and reviewed.