Residents of South Carolina who are planning to enter the teaching profession in the South Carolina public school system and who are seeking their first certification may apply for this program.
- FAFSA is not required but highly recommended
- Half-time enrollment is required (at least 6 credit hours)
- Non need-based loan can be forgiven at a rate of 20% or $3000 per year (whichever is greater) IF teaching service is in a critical subject or critical geographic area.
- If you teach in both a critical subject and critical geographic area, your loan can be forgiven at a rate of 33 1/3% or $5000 per year (whichever is greater) of full-time teaching.
- Critical subject areas must be deemed critical at the time of your employment
- If you decide not to teach, the interest rate will be 2% higher than the unsubsidized interest rate, not to exceed 8.25%.
Funding is limited for this program and is awarded on a first come, first serve basis.
SC Teacher Loan eligibility criteria include the following:
- Must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States;
- Must be a resident of South Carolina;
- Must be enrolled in and making satisfactory academic progress at an accredited institution on at least a 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 SC average for the year of graduation. Currently, these scores are: SAT (2 parts) 1020, 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 a 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; and
- If previously certified to teach, must be seeking initial certification in a different critical subject currently listed.
SC Career Changers Loan eligibility criteria include the following:
- Must have held a baccalaureate degree for at least 3 years or worked as an instructional assistant in a SC public school;
- Must have been employed for a minimum of 3 years;
- Must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States;
- Must be a resident of South Carolina;
- Must be enrolled in and making satisfactory academic progress at an accredited institution on at least a 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 SC average for the year of graduation. Currently, these scores are: SAT (2 parts) 1020, 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 a 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.
The requirements listed in #7 above are waived only during the borrower’s initial year as an applicant.
Applications are available from either the SC Student Loan Corporation (1-800-347-2752 or 803-798-0916) or from the Financial Aid Office.
