To be eligible for a STAR Forgivable Loan, the applicant must apply by June 1, submit all official college transcripts, and:

• Be a citizen of the United States or permanent resident alien
• Be an Arkansas resident for at least six (6) months prior to the application deadline
• Have at least a 2.75 cumulative grade point average
• Have at least thirty (30) semester credit hours
• Pursue an education degree leading to an initial teacher license and meet at least one of the following criteria:
  • Admitted to an Associate of Arts in Teaching program
  • Admitted to a 4-or-5 year teacher education program
  • Admitted to a Master of Arts in Teaching program
  • Passed Praxis 1 AND declared education as a major
• Be enrolled in twelve (12) hours per semester if an undergraduate student or nine (9) hours per semester if a graduate student
• Commit to teaching in a subject and/or geographical shortage area in an Arkansas public school one year for each year of STAR funds received after completion of education degree

For continued eligibility, the recipient must complete a new STAR application and:

• Complete 24 semester credit hours per academic year if an undergraduate student, OR complete 18 semester credit hours per academic year if a graduate student
• Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale

The STAR Forgivable Loan must be repaid if the recipient does not enroll as a full time college student, fails to complete an approved teacher licensure program, or does not fulfill the required teaching obligation. STAR does not guarantee recipient’s employment.

STAR Forgivable Loan recipients are not eligible for STAR Repayment Grants.

Click here for STAR Forgivable Loan Shortage Lists

To Apply, complete the Star Forgivable Loan Application(available Februray 1, 2009; due June 1, 2009)

STAR Repayment Grant for Current Teachers

The first priority of the Arkansas State Teacher Assistance Resource (STAR) is funding for future teachers seeking an education degree leading to an initial teacher license. If funds remain after future teachers are awarded, current teachers may receive grants to assist in repaying federal student loans. Applicants must be Arkansas teachers who graduated from a teacher education program after April 1, 2004. STAR funds are paid to the recipient’s federal student loan lender and are applied to the principal balance.

Teachers may receive up to $6000 per year for teaching in both an Arkansas public school located in a geographical area designated as having a critical shortage of teachers AND in a subject matter area designated as having a critical shortage of teachers.

Teachers may receive up to $3000 per year for teaching in either an Arkansas public school located in a geographical area designated as having a critical shortage of teachers OR in a subject matter area designated as having a critical shortage of teachers.

To be eligible for a STAR Repayment Grant, the applicant must apply by May 1 and:

• Be a citizen of the United States or permanent resident alien
• Be an Arkansas resident for at least six (6) months prior to the application deadline
• Have graduated from a teacher education program after April 1, 2004
• Teach full time in a subject and/or geographical shortage area in an Arkansas public school
• Submit current employment contract, most recent loan statement, and official transcript indicating education degree and graduation date

Priority for STAR Repayment grants is as follows:

• First priority is Arkansas teachers teaching in both subject and geographical shortage areas
• Second priority is Arkansas teachers teaching in subject shortage areas
• Third priority is Arkansas teachers teaching in geographical shortage areas

Teachers may receive a STAR Repayment Grant for a maximum of three (3) years.

Teachers who received STAR Forgivable Loans as students are NOT eligible for STAR Repayment Grants.

Click here for 2009 STAR Repayment Grant Shortage List

Click here to download the Star Repayment Grant application. (available March 1, 2009; due May 1,2009)

IMPORTANT NOTE: This information is current as of the date this site was updated and is provided for informational purposes only. The eligibility requirements and rules governing the programs administered by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education are subject to legislative and regulatory amendments subsequent to the date this site was updated. Please e-mail the Financial Aid Division at finaid@adhe.edu if you should need further information.