Federal School Code: 003425
SC Teacher Loans / Career Changer Loans
   
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The South Carolina Teacher Loan Program was established by the State of South Carolina through the Education Improvement Act of 1984 to entice talented and qualified students into the teaching profession. This loan is cancelled by teaching in South Carolina public schools in an area of critical need.

The loan is cancelled at the rate of 20% or $3,000, whichever is greater, for each full year of teaching in a critical subject or critical geographic area within South Carolina. If you teach in both a critical subject and a critical geographic area your loan will be cancelled at the rate of 33.33% or $5,000, whichever is greater, for each year of full time teaching. The subject areas deemed critical at the time you apply, or subsequently, will be honored for cancellation when you begin teaching; a critical geographic area must be deemed critical at the time of your employment. If you decide not to teach, the interest rate will be the interest rate charged on Stafford Loans plus 2%. This variable rate is capped at 10.25%.

For more information regarding cancellation benefits and current critical geographical and subject needs, visit the SC Student Loan Corporation's web site at www.slc.sc.edu.

Note: Due to limited funding, meeting all criteria and deadlines does not mean you will be accepted into the Teacher Loan Program.

 

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a United States Citizen.
  • Must be a resident of South Carolina.
    Must be enrolled in good standing at an accredited institution on at least half-time basis.
  • Must be enrolled in a program of teacher education, or have expressed an intent to enroll in such a program.
  • Entering freshmen must have been ranked in the top 40% of their high school graduating class and have a SAT or ACT score equal to or greater than the S.C. average for the year of graduation from high school or the most recent year for which such figures are available.
  • Enrolled undergraduate students, including enrolled freshmen, must have taken and passed the S.C. Education Entrance Exam (EEE) and have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Entering graduate students must have at least a 2.75 grade point average on a 4.0 scale and graduate students who have completed at least one term, and must have a grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale or better.
  • Must be seeking initial certification in a critical subject area if you already hold a teaching certificate.

Loan Amounts

Freshmen and sophomores may borrow up to $2,500 per year. Juniors, seniors, and graduate students may borrow up to $5,000 per year.

Application Process

Applications for the South Carolina Teachers Loan / Career Changers can be obtained in the financial aid office when available, generally around March 1 for the upcoming academic year. The application may also be downloaded from the SC Student Loan Corporation's web site when available at www.slc.sc.edu. The application deadline is June 1. However, because of limited funding, we suggest that you apply by April 1. Priority is given to renewal applicants. Once you have completed the application, it should be submitted to:

Curriculum & Instruction
309 Edwards Hall
Clemson University
Clemson, SC 29634

 

Career Changers Loan

The Career Changers Program was established to assist individuals wishing to enter the teaching profession. This loan is cancelled by teaching in South Carolina public schools in an area of critical need. More information on the cancellation benefits may be found on the SC Student Loan Corporation's web site at www.slc.sc.edu.

Note: Due to limited funding, meeting all criteria and deadlines does not mean you will be accepted into the Career Changers Program.

Eligibility Requirements

Career Changers are individuals who are changing careers to enter the teaching profession. They must meet the above (for Teacher Loans) criteria except that the academic requirements are waived during the initial year of the teacher education program. To qualify as a Career Changer, the borrower must also:

  • Have possessed a baccalaureate degree for at least three years. (This requirement is waived for individuals who are employed as instructional assistants in the South Carolina public school system.).
  • Have been employed on a full-time basis for a minimum of 3 years or its equivalent in part-time work.

Loan Amounts

Career Changers may borrow up to $15,000 per year and up to an aggregate maximum of $60,000.

Application Process

Applications for the South Carolina Teachers Loan / Career Changers can be obtained in the financial aid office when available, generally around March 1 for the upcoming academic year. The application may also be downloaded from the SC Student Loan Corporation's web site when available at www.slc.sc.edu. The application deadline is June 1. However, because of limited funding, we suggest that you apply by April 1. Priority is given to renewal applicants. Once you have completed the application, it should be submitted to:

Curriculum & Instruction
309 Edwards Hall
Clemson University
Clemson, SC 29634

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