1.0 Purpose
The purpose of this regulation is to provide the eligibility criteria, application requirements, and award process for the Critical Need Reimbursement Program pursuant to 14 Del.C. §3436.
2.0 Definitions
The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, shall have the following meaning:
"Award" means a reimbursement awarded under the Critical Need Reimbursement Program.
"Critical need area" means 1 of the specific certification areas of critical need in Delaware as determined by the Delaware Department of Education pursuant to 14 Del.C. §3436(c).
"Delaware Higher Education Office" or "DHEO" means the Department of Education's office which administers specific programs related to higher education, including, but not limited to, student financial assistance programs.
3.0 Eligibility
3.1 In order to be eligible for an award under the Critical Need Reimbursement Program, an applicant shall meet the requirements of subsections 3.1.1 through 3.1.6.
3.1.1 The applicant shall be a full-time employee of a Delaware public school district or charter school.
3.1.2 The applicant shall meet the definition of residency as defined in 14 Del.C. §3402(f).
3.1.3 The applicant shall hold an Emergency Certificate or Certificate of Eligibility in a critical need area.
3.1.4 The applicant shall be teaching in a critical need area.
3.1.5 The applicant shall have completed coursework or a seminar or workshop at a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education or through an Alternative Routes for Teacher Licensure or Certification program approved by the Department.
3.1.6 The applicant shall have earned a 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for credit-bearing courses or an equivalent passing grade in non-credit bearing seminars and workshops.
4.0 Application Requirements
4.1 The application acceptance and submission period for the Critical Need Reimbursement Program shall be posted on the DHEO's website by December 1 of each calendar year.
4.1.1 Applications shall not be accepted outside of the posted application acceptance period under any circumstances.
4.1.2 Incomplete applications shall not be accepted or processed.
4.2 The applicant shall complete an application by the last date of the application acceptance period.
5.0 Awards
5.1 An applicant who meets the eligibility criteria in Section 3.0 may be awarded up to 1 of the following per academic year:
5.1.1 Up to 6 credits; or
5.1.2 Two noncredit-bearing seminars or workshops required for certification; or
5.1.3 One noncredit-bearing seminar or workshop required for certification up to 1 3-credit course.
5.2 Award payments shall be disbursed directly to the applicant's college or university only upon the applicant's completion of the course, seminar, or workshop and after the college or university verifies the applicant's enrollment and grades.
5.3 An award shall be used for, and not in excess of, tuition and mandatory fees.
26 DE Reg. 1055 (06/01/23)
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