Arizona Teachers Academy Scholarship Agreement

Recipient Information

First Name

Middle Name

Last Name

Email Address

Cell Phone Number

Birthdate

Mailing Address

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

EAC Student ID #

Intended Major

Expected Entry Term

Expected EAC Graduation Year

I am an undergraduate university or community college student enrolled in an Arizona Teachers Academy eligible degree program.

Institution and Arizona Board of Regents and Designee Contact Information

Institution:
Eastern Arizona College
615 N. Stadium Ave.
Thatcher, AZ 85552

Arizona Board of Regents
2700 N. Central Ave., Suite 400
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Contact Information:
Phone: 602-229-2500
Email: azteachersacademy@azregents.edu

Current ABOR Designee:
Heartland ECSI
P.O. Box 1289
Moon Township, PA 15108
Contact Information:
Phone: 1-888-549-3274

The Arizona Board of Regents has contracted with Heartland ECSI “Designee” to provide monitoring for scholarship recipients. ECSI will send correspondence to all students who receive scholarships. In its correspondence, ECSI refers to the scholarship funds they monitor as loans, as you will have to pay them back, if you do not complete the required service obligation. If you do not receive correspondence from ECSI, after completing your Academy eligible degree program, dual enrollment courses, or National Board Certification please contact the Arizona Board of Regents at the email address above.

Program Agreement

For students enrolled in the Arizona Teachers Academy at an Eligible Postsecondary Institution:

Eastern Arizona College on behalf of the Arizona Board of Regents is providing to you, the Recipient, an Arizona Teachers Academy (ATA) scholarship pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes § 15-1655. For each year, you are a student enrolled in the Arizona Teachers Academy at Eastern Arizona College (the “ATA Program”) and continue to satisfy the requirements of A.R.S. § 15-1655 and the terms of this Agreement, you will be eligible to receive an annual ATA scholarship to cover up to the actual cost of tuition and fees associated with your program of study after all other financial gifts, aid or grants are received by Recipient.

Recipient: Please agree to each statement set forth below:

I understand and agree that Eastern Arizona College and the Arizona Board of Regents have sole discretion to determine whether I have satisfied the requirements of this Agreement, any applicable Board policy, and A.R.S. § 15-1655.

I will maintain continuous enrollment as a student in the Bachelor of Music Education teacher certification program at Eastern Arizona College and will maintain satisfactory academic progress and good academic standing as determined by the institution.

I understand and agree that if I do not successfully complete the academic year in good academic standing, or I cease to be enrolled in the Bachelor of Music Education teacher certification program, I will reimburse the Arizona Board of Regents for the total amount of the ATA scholarship I received for that year.

I understand and agree that in exchange for each academic year or part of an academic year that I receive an ATA scholarship from Eastern Arizona College, I am obligated to teach for one full school year in an ATA Eligible Placement. (Example: If an Eligible Postsecondary Institution awards Recipient an ATA scholarship each year over a two academic year period, Recipient must teach a total of two consecutive full school years at an ATA Eligible Placement or if an ATA scholarship is awarded for one semester in one academic year and another semester in another academic year, Recipient must teach a total of two consecutive school years in an ATA Eligible Placement.) An ATA Eligible Placement is the following: a teaching position with an Arizona public school as defined by Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 15-101 (22) or a school that serves primarily public school students with disabilities as defined by A.R.S. § 15-1655.

I understand and agree that if I do not fulfill my obligation under this Agreement to teach in an ATA Eligible Placement for the required period of time, I will reimburse the Arizona Board of Regents for the proportional amount of the ATA scholarship for tuition and fees that I received that corresponds to the number of school years I agreed to teach, but did not teach, in an ATA Eligible Placement.

I understand that A.R.S. § 15-1655 currently limits eligibility for ATA scholarship funds for community college students to a total of four (4) semesters (i.e., fall and/or, spring), for undergraduate university students to a total of eight (8) semesters (i.e., fall and/or, spring) and for graduate students and dual enrollment teachers seeking to meet HLC accreditation requirements, to a total of four (4) semesters (i.e., fall and/or, spring).

I understand that if I have received any ATA scholarship funds at another postsecondary institution that the award may impact my current ATA scholarship (i.e., received two semesters of graduate funding at postsecondary institution A would only allow for two semesters of graduate funding at postsecondary institution B).

I understand and agree that I am required to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year I participate in the ATA Program. I will accept all federal, state, institutional, and private grants and scholarships awarded to me prior to the ATA scholarship being applied to outstanding tuition and fees associated with my program of study. This excludes other work obligation awards, such as TEACH grant.

I understand and agree that I will begin my first school year of eligible teaching service in an ATA Eligible Placement within one year from the date I complete the ATA Program.

I understand that the Eastern Arizona College Financial Aid and Veterans Services Office can verify the total amount of the ATA scholarship received by me for each year I participate in the ATA Program. I also understand that I will be informed of this amount by the Arizona Board of Regents’ designee after graduation.

Upon completion of the ATA Program and continuing until my teaching obligation is fulfilled, I will create an account with the Arizona Board of Regents’ designee and timely submit any required documentation annually by October 1. Each annual report will include employment documentation, employer contact information and my current address/phone information. In addition, I will:

Respond to all communications and requests from Eastern Arizona College and the Arizona Board of Regents or its designee within the timeframe indicated in the communication.
Comply with anyprocedures deemed necessary and appropriate by Eastern Arizona College and the Arizona Board of Regents, or its designee, all terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and all applicable laws, rules, policies, and regulations.

If I become physically or mentally unable to fulfill the requirements of this Agreement, the Arizona Board of Regents will assess my ability to repay the ATA scholarship(s) received by me and will determine the terms of repayment pursuant to applicable law and policy. Any deferment request will be submitted to the Arizona Board of Regents or its designee.

Repayment Obligation

If I fail to maintain eligibility for the ATA Program, or fail to complete my teaching commitment as set forth in this Agreement, I will:

Reimburse the Arizona Board of Regents or designee as follows:
1. If I do not successfully complete the academic year in good academic standing, or I cease to be enrolled in the ATA, I will reimburse the Arizona Board of Regents for the total amount of the ATA scholarship I received for that year.
2. If I do not fulfill my obligation under this Agreement to teach in an ATA Eligible Placement for the required period of time, I will reimburse the Arizona Board of Regents for the amount of the ATA scholarship for tuition and fees that I received that corresponds to the number of school years I agreed to teach but did not teach in an ATA Eligible Placement.
Contact the Arizona Board of Regents or designee (See contact info in Section II) to set up a repayment schedule.
Enter repayment status and begin repayment on the first day of the first calendar month after the earlier of (1) the Arizona Board of Regents or designee determining or, (2) the Arizona Board of Regents or designee being notified that I will be unable or unwilling to fulfill the teaching commitment.
Make payments to the Arizona Board of Regents or designee according to the schedule established by the Arizona Board of Regents or designee after I enter repayment status.
Be required to make minimum monthly payments. The repayment schedule will be based on the total amount to be repaid, or as determined by the Arizona Board of Regents or designee. I understand that my repayment schedule will provide for the total scholarship to be repaid within one to ten (1-10) years, as required by the Arizona Board of Regents or designee.
Agree that if I fail to repay the scholarship as stated in this Agreement, that delinquent accounts could be referred to outside collection agencies and could be reported to national credit bureaus. Should it become necessary for the Arizona Board of Regents to retain an attorney or collection agency to secure payment of any amount due, I will be responsible for paying all attorney's fees, court costs, and collection agency charges. Subject to applicable law and Eastern Arizona College policy, if you have delinquent obligations, you may be prohibited from registering for classes, receiving refunds, obtaining transcripts and diplomas, and using campus services.

I understand and agree to Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 above.

Deferment

I may request deferment of repayment in extraordinary circumstances, including the following:

Becoming temporarily disabled as described in ABOR policy;
Being called to active duty in the armed forces of the United States;
Enrolled, registered, and progressing toward timely degree completion in a full-time graduate degree program that would delay required full-time teaching requirement to one year following completion of the graduate degree program or two years post- bachelor’s degree, whichever is less.
Other extraordinary circumstances beyond my control, including circumstances identified by the Arizona Board of Regents as qualifying for deferment.

I understand all deferment requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must be sent to the Arizona Board of Regents’ designee’s mailing address or email address set forth in Section II of this Agreement.

Taxes

I understand it is my responsibility to confer with my professional tax advisor, or the IRS, regarding potential tax consequences associated with my acceptance of each ATA scholarship hereunder.

Legislative Action

I understand if statutoryauthority forthe ATA Program, including authority for funding, is repealed, amended, or significantly modified, either by legislative action or the administrative action of the State of Arizona or the Arizona Board of Regents, this Agreement may be modified accordingly. In such event, Eastern Arizona College will provide written notification of changes.

I authorize the release of information pertinent to my ATA scholarship funding Eastern Arizona College and its agents, the Arizona Board of Regents or any other party involved in the administration of my scholarship funding or the terms identified in this Agreement.

By signing below (and affixing my initials on the preceding pages), I acknowledge and agree that Ihave read and understandthe information set forth in this Arizona Teachers Academy Scholarship Agreement and that I have had the opportunity to consult with the advisor, counselor or attorney of my choice before signing this Agreement. I will, in exchange for scholarship funding received hereunder, fulfill my work obligations according to the terms and conditions described herein.

Signature

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