<p>D1 graduated with a major in biology and a minor in mathematics in Dec. 2009. After working in medical research and other jobs (including professional tutoring) she now says she realizes what she she really loves and wants to become a high school mathematics teacher! She has tutored since middle school and, despite her parents' earlier urging that she might want to consider teaching as a profession since she always seemed to enjoy it, had done it both at the secondary and post-secondary level, and received wonderful reviews from both her employers and students, she wanted to explore other career options after graduation and did so with our full blessings. Now, however, she wants to go back to school and $$$ is a consideration.</p>
<p>As a future secondary math teacher in the state of Nevada (she has lived there since graduation) are there tuition assistance/loan forgiveness programs she should look into before she enrolls in a program? (FYI, she is considering the UNLV post-secondary program.) I believe there are certain programs for teaching in a shortage area (math is!), teaching in low income schools (many in the Las Vegas area are) and a type of program that forgives up to $17,500 after teaching for 5 years, provided certain requirements are met. There may be others as well. Also, she still has about $18,000 in Stafford loans that her father and I are paying off, but this program is totally on her own! </p>
<p>Best options for her? Thoughts? Considerations? I realize this is a long post but I really appreciate any help you may be able to provide. Happy for her but she doesn't need more debt!</p>
<p>She should ask at UNLV. The education department is likely to be aware of anything that is available.</p>
<p>Thanks Happymomof1. She has checked there. . .and will continue to check. I’m trying to help her find loan forgiveness programs as it is likely she will have to take out additional loans. Still looking!</p>
<p>She may want to check with the public school districts in NV to see if any are offering free/inexpensive MAT or teacher certification programs. That kind of information would be on the school district website in the jobs section along with information on “emergency certification” or “temporary certification”. In the past our school district has three such quickie inexpensive or even free programs designed to prepare career changers in high-need areas such as math, science, special ed, and ESOL. Not loan forgiveness per se, but more like loan avoidance.</p>
<p>I second Happymomof1’s advice. She should look into beginning to teach on a waiver. Then, when she knows for sure she loves teaching, she could pursue certification. Part of her employment package could possibly be partial funding of graduate courses leading to certification, etc. In high need areas, teachers are often hired without certification.</p>
<p>Right…many states have an alternate route to certification…or a couple of alternate routes. She should check with the Nevada Department of Education.</p>
<p>Loan avoidance would be even better than loan forgiveness! Your suggestions are excellent and I’ll pass them on to her. I’ll share any information I find. Keeping fingers crossed for something good out there:)</p>
<p>Thanks, thumper1. She just decided to do this and now is starting the mad looking/application rush. Of course the NDOE would be the best place to start. I’m just glad she is so excited about it all after a few years of rather lackluster excitement about her current career (lab research).</p>
<p>Astute advice, Teachandmom. If she can get assistance at the beginning, that would be great. Of course I (and she, naturally) hopes she “loves it” but if she can do some kind of “fast track” and later take more courses, (when she knows for sure this is what she wants) that would be best. I do want her to end up with a clear teaching license, though. Even if she starts out with something other than that.</p>
<p>Thank you for the link, kelsmom. I had heard of it but didn’t know the particulars. I’ll definitely have her look into it. Truly appreciate all the suggestions!</p>
<p>Also, there is a Stafford Loan Forgiveness Program for teachers. It says you are eligible for forgiveness of up to $17,500 provided certain requirements are met. Among these are if you are a new borrower. I am a bit confused by the definition of a new borrower though. They say, “You are considered a new borrower if you did not have an outstanding balance on a Direct of FFEL Program loan on October 1, 1998, or on the date you obtained a Direct of FFEL Program after October 1, 1998.” She received Stafford loans from 2006-2008 and still has a balance. Does this mean she is not eligible for this forgiveness program?</p>
<p>She should be eligible, because the loans are from after 10/1/98.</p>