ADHE Continuing Education and Loan Forgiveness Programs

Want to continue your education??? Need help with your student loans???

Please take note of two programs, the Teacher Opportunity Program (TOP) and the State Teacher Assistance Resource (STAR) Program, which may be able to assist you with these needs.

TOP is a dual certification incentive program designed to provide loans to teachers who are returning to college to receive additional certification in a subject matter declared to be a shortage area by the state Department of Education. The loans for students in TOP include funding for the cost of tuition, mandatory fees and books, though not to exceed $3,000 during any one academic year. The school district is responsible for one-third of the loan, and the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) is responsible for two-thirds of the loan.

TOP recipients may receive the award for up to three years as long as he/she is completing a sufficient number of credit hours to be able to complete certification requirements within three years of the initial award of funds under this program. ADHE will forgive the loan if the recipient receives the additional certification within three years of first receiving funds under the program AND teaches or serves as a classroom teacher in an Arkansas public school district for three continuous years immediately following receipt of the additional certification.

STAR is a loan forgiveness/loan repayment program for students/teachers who teach in a subject shortage area and/or a defined geographic area of the state. Eligible students/teachers may receive up to $6,000 per year. The loan forgiveness portion of the program is administered first. If further funds are available, ADHE can offer loan repayment options for a limited number of teachers.

Please visit www.adhe.edu or call (800) 54-STUDY for more detailed information on these programs.