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 eight years, the first four of which are required. Applicants who first applied to participate prior to September 1, 2023, must teach at a Texas public school that receives federal funding under Title I, Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

For more details, review Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Title 19, Part 1, Chapter 23, Subchapter J.

How to Apply 

The application for the 2023-24 award year will be available in Summer 2024.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, 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
• have secured an employment contract as a full-time classroom teacher to teach mathematics or science at the time of application for enrollment in the program,
  •  Applicants who first applied to participate prior to September 1, 2023, must teach at a Texas public school that receives federal funding under Title I, Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
• 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

Award Amount

• Up to $10,000. 
• If any of the last four years of the required eight years of service are not completed at a Title I Texas public school, the award maximum is reduced to up to 75%. 
• 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?

     This program requires a commitment of eight years, the first four of which must be at a Title I public school in the state of Texas. 

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 to participate in loan repayment program. Please contact our office if you change schools or move out of state. 

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

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. 

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