Chapter HEA 13

Chapter HEA 13

TEACHER EDUCATION LOAN PROGRAM

HEA 13.01   Purpose.

HEA 13.02   Definitions.

HEA 13.03   Borrower eligibility.

HEA 13.04   Terms of loan.

HEA 13.05   Application process.

HEA 13.06   Loan forgiveness.

HEA 13.07   Terms of repayment.

HEA 13.08   Deferment of loan repayment for borrowers.

HEA 13.09   Applicability.

HEA 13.01 HEA 13.01 Purpose. To define the various aspects of the Teacher Education Loan Program authorized by s. 39.395, Stats., as created by 1997 Wis. Act 27, as to the awarding of loans, their forgiveness, or their repayment.

HEA 13.01 History History: CR 01-078: Cr. Register January 2002 No. 553, eff. 2-1-02.

HEA 13.02 HEA 13.02 Definitions.

HEA 13.02(1) (1) “Board” means the higher educational aids board

HEA 13.02(2) (2) “Eligible school district” means the Wisconsin school district operating under ch. 119, Stats., First Class City School System (currently only the Milwaukee Public Schools).

HEA 13.02(3) (3) “Forbearance” means an extension of time for making loan payments or the acceptance of smaller payments than were previously scheduled.

HEA 13.02(4) (4) “Loan” means a loan made under the Teacher Education Loan Program.

HEA 13.02(5) (5) “MTEC” is the abbreviation for the Milwaukee Teacher Education Center; a non-stock, non-profit corporation organized under ch. 181, Stats.

HEA 13.02 History History: CR 01-078: Cr. Register January 2002 No. 553, eff. 2-1-02.

HEA 13.03 HEA 13.03 Borrower eligibility.

HEA 13.03(1) (1) The borrower shall be a resident of the United States either a citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence by the federal immigration and naturalization service.

HEA 13.03(2) (2) The borrower shall be a Wisconsin resident as determined by the board using the residency standards of s. 36.27, Stats.

HEA 13.03(3) (3) The borrower shall be enrolled in a teacher education program at MTEC.

HEA 13.03(4) (4) The borrower shall not be required to show financial need.

HEA 13.03 History History: CR 01-078: Cr. Register January 2002 No. 553, eff. 2-1-02.

HEA 13.04 HEA 13.04 Terms of loan.

HEA 13.04(1) (1) Eligible borrowers shall receive a minimum award of $250. The maximum award amount shall be set annually by the board. The exact amount of the award shall not exceed the borrower’s cost of education, as determined by MTEC using recognized federal methodology, minus the need-based aid the borrower is offered. Loans for students that are need-based may be replaced in the package of aid by the Teacher Education Loan.

HEA 13.04(2) (2) For loans that are not forgiven and must be repaid, the interest rate shall be 5% annually on the unpaid principal balance with accrual beginning upon the initial date of repayment. Interest shall not accrue during periods of full-time enrollment; employment that qualifies for forgiveness; or during board-authorized periods of deferment from repayment.

HEA 13.04(3) (3) The initial date of repayment shall be determined by the board in each instance beginning no sooner than the day after the borrower withdraws or graduates from school.

HEA 13.04 History History: CR 01-078: Cr. Register January 2002 No. 553, eff. 2-1-02.

HEA 13.05 HEA 13.05 Application process.

HEA 13.05(1) (1) A borrower seeking a loan shall contact MTEC.

HEA 13.05(2) (2) MTEC shall determine the borrower’s cost of education within the requirements set by the board. MTEC shall decide if the borrower shall receive a loan under this program.

HEA 13.05(3) (3) MTEC shall notify the board of the loan amount for the borrower. The board shall issue a check for the borrower’s loan after the borrower’s signed agreement form has been received by the board.

HEA 13.05(4) (4) All borrower’s contact concerning forgiveness and repayment shall be with the board. After leaving MTEC the borrower shall maintain written annual contact with the board until the loan is either forgiven or repaid. The borrower shall forward all name, address, and telephone number changes to the board.

HEA 13.05 History History: CR 01-078: Cr. Register January 2002 No. 553, eff. 2-1-02.

HEA 13.06 HEA 13.06 Loan forgiveness.

HEA 13.06(1) (1) Loans shall be forgiven when the borrower is employed as a full-time teacher in the eligible school district. For every academic year of employment, 50% of the principal and accrued interest, if any, shall be forgiven, with the amount to be prorated in cases where fewer months are worked. The borrower shall be given a maximum of 3 years to work the required 2 years for full forgiveness.

HEA 13.06(2) (2) The maximum of 3 years allowed for forgiveness shall be extended by the board for up to a total of 3 years for approved periods of deferment, as referenced in s. HEA 13.09. In no instance shall the term of forgiveness exceed 6 years including periods of deferments authorized by the board. The executive secretary may allow additional periods of deferment in exceptional situations.

HEA 13.06(3) (3) Any loan principal remaining unforgiven either because the forgiveness period as defined in subs. (1) and (2) is over, or because the borrower has not been employed for forgiveness as defined in sub. (1) or has moved out of state, shall be repaid to the state of Wisconsin with interest accrued from the date on which the forgiveness period ended.

HEA 13.06(4) (4) Only borrowers who have completed the teacher education program at MTEC and who are licensed to teach by the Wisconsin department of public instruction shall be eligible for forgiveness.

HEA 13.06(5) (5) No interest shall be charged to the borrower during the forgiveness period.

HEA 13.06 History History: CR 01-078: Cr. Register January 2002 No. 553, eff. 2-1-02.

HEA 13.07 HEA 13.07 Terms of repayment.

HEA 13.07(1) (1) The borrower shall repay the loan if not employed as a full-time teacher in the eligible school district. Repayment shall be required of borrowers who are employed for periods of time but who do not complete their forgiveness within the time allowed.

HEA 13.07(2) (2) The minimum monthly payment shall be $50 including principal and accrued interest. Accrued interest shall be paid first each month from the payment received. The board shall determine the monthly repayment schedule, although the borrower may request a schedule with a higher monthly payment.

HEA 13.07(3) (3) The borrower shall repay the loan within a maximum of 6 years not counting periods of deferment granted by the board. Interest shall not accrue during periods of deferment authorized by the board.

HEA 13.07(4) (4) The borrower may prepay any or all of the loan without penalty whether the borrower is in school, forgiveness, repayment, or deferment.

HEA 13.07(5) (5) If the borrower dies or becomes totally and permanently disabled, all obligation to make any further payment of principal and interest on the loan shall be canceled.

HEA 13.07 History History: CR 01-078: Cr. Register January 2002 No. 553, eff. 2-1-02.

HEA 13.08 HEA 13.08 Deferment of loan repayment for borrowers.

HEA 13.08(1) (1) Borrowers who return to school on a full-time basis in any course of study at an accredited institution shall be deferred from repayment by the board for the period of enrollment.

HEA 13.08(2) (2) Borrowers who are on active duty in the military shall be deferred from repayment by the board for the period of their active duty, not to exceed 3 years.

HEA 13.08(3) (3) Borrowers who enter the Peace Corps or Volunteers in Service to America shall be deferred from repayment by the board for the term of their active service, not to exceed 3 years. Employment with a similar private agency may be eligible for deferment, as determined by the executive secretary, if the agency is federally tax exempt.

HEA 13.08(4) (4) Borrowers who are unemployed shall be deferred from repayment by the board for up to 6 months at a time, up to a maximum of 24 months, as long as they provide proof, satisfactory to the board, that they are actively seeking employment.

HEA 13.08(5) (5) Borrowers who become pregnant, give birth or legally adopt a child shall be deferred from repayment by the board for up to 12 months.