SC TEACHERS LOAN PROGRAM
The South Carolina Teachers Loan Program was established by the State of South Carolina to encourage talented and qualified students to enter the teaching profession and teach in the state in areas of critical need.
The SC Teachers and Career Changers loans are forgiven at the rate of 20% or $3,000, whichever is greater, for each year of full-time teaching in a public school in a critical subject or critical geographic area within South Carolina. Teaching in both a critical subject and critical geographic area simultaneously increases the rate of forgiveness to 33 1/3% or $5,000, whichever is greater, for each year of full-time teaching. The subject areas deemed critical at the time of application will be honored for forgiveness when teaching begins; critical geographic areas must be deemed critical at the time of employment.
Entering freshmen must have been ranked in the top 40% of their high school graduating class and have an SAT or ACT score equal to or greater than the S.C. average for the year of graduation. Currently, these scores are: SAT (2 parts) 1019, ACT 18.
Enrolled undergraduate students, including enrolled freshmen (2nd term of freshman year), must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale and must have taken and passed the Praxis Core (or Praxis I prior to 07/01/14). Students with an SAT taken on or after 03/05/16, earning a total score of 1100 or greater (1650 for 3-part exams taken 03/01/05 – 03/04/16), or an ACT score of 22 or greater are exempt from the Praxis requirement. Other Praxis exemptions may apply. Check with your college’s Education Department.
Entering graduate students must have at least a 2.75 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Graduate students who have completed at least one term must have a grade point average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale.
Also, if previously certified to teach, students must be seeking initial certification in a different critical subject currently listed.
Freshmen and sophomores may borrow up to $2,500 per year. All other students may borrow up to $7,500 per year, up to a cumulative maximum amount of $27,500.
Failure to teach in an area of critical need will require repayment of the full amount borrowed plus accrued interest. Effective for loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2013, the interest rate shall equal the Direct Stafford Loan interest rate charged for unsubsidized loans to undergraduate students plus 2%, not to exceed 8.25%.
Applications are available from either the SC Student Loan Corporation (1-800-347-2752 or 803-798-0916) or from the Financial Aid Office. Funds in the Teachers Loan are limited, and there are very specific eligibility criteria.