The following resources provide financial assistance to eligible teachers and teacher candidates. Some programs are available only to those seeking a license in shortage subject areas.
College of Education Emergency Fund
Contact: COE Dean’s Office, Mashburn 100
Who? COE students experiencing an unexpected financial hardship or emergency
Amount? Determined by need and availability of funds
To apply: Visit the COE Emergency Fund webpage for online application.
NOTE: This fund is meant to meet a one-time need for students experiencing an unexpected financial hardship or emergency. If applying for assistance through this fund, detail the emergency and need in the application.
Selection Criteria
- Applicant must state their emergency and why they are in need of assistance from the COE Emergency Fund.
- Applicants must be pursuing an undergraduate OR graduate degree through the UCA College of Education or associated educator preparation programs (ex. STEMteach, PETE, Art)
- Applicants must have completed at least 9 hours within the College of Education or associated educator preparation programs.
- Applicants must be in good academic standing with the University at the time of application and time of the award.
- Applicants have not been previously received funding from the COE Emergency Fund.
Full details and online application available at: https://uca.edu/education/emergencyfund/.
Arkansas Department of Higher Education
The Arkansas Department of Higher Education administers the following programs. Email finaid@adhe.edu or call (501) 371-2000 if you have questions or need more assistance.
State Teacher Education Program (STEP)
STEP is a loan repayment program that offers yearly loan repayment grants to current educators teaching in a subject or geographic shortage area in an Arkansas public school. Teachers must reapply each year and are eligible for up to three years.
Teacher Opportunity Program (TOP)
TOP offers reimbursement grants to current Arkansas teachers and administrators seeking to further their education. Teachers and administrators may apply for reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses paid for up to six (6) college credit hours completed for an academic year, not to exceed $3,000.
Click HERE for more information about these two programs.
U.S. Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education administers the following programs. Contact information for these programs is available on the website.
Teacher Loan Forgiveness
The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program is intended to encourage individuals to enter and continue in the teaching profession. Under this program, if you teach full-time for five complete and consecutive academic years in certain elementary and secondary schools and educational service agencies that serve low-income families, and meet other qualifications, you may be eligible.
Cancellation for Federal Perkins Loans
Teachers with loans from the Federal Perkins Loan Program could be eligible for loan cancellation for full-time teaching at a low-income school or for teaching in certain subject areas.
Click HERE for more information about these two programs.
Teach.org Financial Aid & Scholarships List
This comprehensive website provides information about the teaching profession and opportunities for teachers, including financial aid and scholarship resources.
Click HERE to visit the teach.org website’s list of financial aid and scholarship opportunities.