Nate Cressall Agency
Other Student Loan Solution Options:
Teach Grant
(Enroll before graduating):
https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/teach
In exchange for receiving a TEACH Grant, you must agree to
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serve as a full-time teacher for four elementary or secondary school years at a school or educational service agency (ESA) that serves low-income students;
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meet all state certification requirements for teaching;
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teach in a high-need field; and
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complete the required four years of teaching within eight years after you graduate from or otherwise cease to be enrolled at the institution of higher education where you received your TEACH Grants.
If you do not meet the requirements of your service obligation, all TEACH Grants you received will be converted to Direct Unsubsidized Loans. You must repay these loans in full, with interest charged from the date of each TEACH Grant disbursement.
Online Practical Teacher Training (OPTT)
What is it?
USU OPTT is an innovative, online special education preparation program specifically designed for individuals currently working in a Utah school as a special education teacher or a special education paraprofessional. Applicants may choose to specialize in either early childhood special education, K-12 severe, or K-12 mild/moderate disabilities, and will be fully-qualified for special education certification upon completion of this 5-semester program (fall-spring-summer-fall-spring). The program will be longer for applicants who are completing a first bachelor’s degree.
The OPTT program accepts applicants who are special education teachers or special education paraprofessionals with or without a bachelor’s degree. All applicants must be working in a district or charter school that agrees to collaborate with USU’s Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation (SPER) to provide classroom support throughout the program.
NOTE: OPTT is not available outside of Utah.
Refinance
If you don't qualify for a federal loan forgiveness program and you'd like to lower your interest rate consider refinancing with Citizens One or Sofi.
