Bayh college of education

Minority Teacher & Special Education Services Scholarship Program

The Minority Teacher Scholarship was created in 1988 by the Indiana General Assembly to address the critical shortage of Black and Hispanic teachers in Indiana.  IN 1990, the Indiana General Assembly amended the Minority Teacher Scholarship program to include the filed of Special Education.  Scholars may receive up to four (4) scholarships and may take up to six (6) years to complete their degree program from the date of receiving their first scholarship.  Because scholarships are not guaranteed renewable, scholarship recipients must reapply each year.  The Minority Teacher & Special Education Services Scholarship program is administered by the State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana (SSACI) which is responsible for record keeping and for allotting funds to approved colleges and universities (including Indiana State University).

Eligibility

Undergraduate students must meet the following criteria to be eligible:

1. A minority student (defined as Black or Hispanic) officially declared in a  teaching major; or any student (minority or non-minority) officially declared in the Special Education major

2. An Indiana resident and a U.S. citizen

3. A full-time undergraduate student at Indiana State

4. Must maintain or have a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.50 or higher

5. Have a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file in the Financial Aid Office

6. Not be in default on a state or federally-funded student loan

Renewal Scholarships

To be considered for renewal, scholarship recipients must:

1. Meet the eligibility requirements above

2. Reapply every year for the scholarship

Obligation

Individuals who are selected and accept the Minority Teacher & Special Education Services Scholarship are obligated to teach in Indiana on a fulltime basis for three (3) out of five (5) years following graduation.  If a scholar fails to fulfill their obligation to teach in Indiana, complete the teaching certification program within the six (6) year period, or drops out of the approved teaching programs, he or she must refund all scholarship dollars received from the program.  During the obligation phase it is the applicant's responsibility to provide their current name, address, and their employer's name and address to the State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana.

Application Process

Interested students should fill out the application (checking to make sure it is for the appropriate academic year) found on the State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana website.

Applications should be turned in to Education Student Services (Room 115, University Hall).