New York State Math & Science Teaching Incentive program awards are being offered to increase the number of secondary school educators in the mathematics and science fields. This program provides awards to students attending school at the undergraduate and/or graduate degree level in exchange for five years of full-time employment as secondary education math and science teachers.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Must have completed at least one term of collegiate full-time study to be eligible to apply

  • Be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens

  • Be matriculated in an approved undergraduate or graduate program at a degree-granting institution in New York State leading to a career as a math or science teacher in secondary education

  • Have a cumulative college grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher

  • Not have a service obligation under another program

  • Not be in default on a student loan

Service Agreement

Successful applicants will be required to complete a service agreement in which they:

  • Agree to teach full-time for five years in the field of math or science in a New York State secondary school (grades 7-12) recognized by the Board of Regents or the State University of New York - regardless of the number or amount of award payments.

  • Agree to repay the amounts disbursed plus interest pursuant to the terms of their service agreement if they:

    • fail to fulfill their service obligation, or

    • fail to complete the degree program qualifying them as secondary education math or science teachers, or

    • fail to acquire or maintain their teaching certificate or license in New York State, or

    • fail to respond to all requests by HESC for a report of their academic and professional progress, or

    • breach the terms of the service agreement

Award Amounts

Recipients shall receive an annual award for full-time study equal to the annual tuition charged to NYS resident students attending an undergraduate program at the State University of New York, or actual tuition charged, whichever is less. The maximum annual award for the 2009-10 academic year is expected to be $4,995. (The award for the 2008-09 academic year is $4,685).

Duration

Recipients shall be entitled to an annual award for not more than four academic years of full-time undergraduate study and one academic year of full-time graduate study while matriculated in an approved program leading to permanent certification as a secondary education teacher in mathematics or science.

How to Apply

The deadline for the 2008 Series New York State Math & Science Teaching Incentive Scholarship has passed.

Applications for the 2009 Series will be available in January 2010.

Applying for Payment

Students seeking this award must also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the TAP Application by May 1 of each academic year in which they request payment under this program. See the following schedule.

See Applying for Financial Aid for a link to the FAFSA and for TAP applications and instructions.

Award Payment

Awards will be made directly to the schools on behalf of students upon certification of the successful completion of each academic year. "Successful completion" means the applicant must:

  • have been in full-time attendance

  • have earned at least 27 credit hours or the equivalent in a course of study leading to a teaching degree in the fields of math or science

  • have a minimum GPA of 2.5 for the academic year

  • have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher for all academic years of undergraduate and graduate study

NOTE: Applicants may attend less than full-time, completing fewer than 27 credit hours, if they are in their last undergraduate term and if fewer than 27 credit hours are necessary to complete their course of study.

Additional Information

Please call the Scholarship Unit at 1-888-697-4372 with questions about this program.