Subchapter N. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM
Sec.
121.401. Application of existing agency regulations.
121.402. Qualified applicant.
121.403. Loan forgiveness.
121.404. Employment.
121.405. Approved child-care facility.
121.406. Lottery.
Authority The provisions of this Subchapter N amended under section 4 of the act of August 7, 1963 (P. L. 549, No. 290) (24 P. S. § 5104); section 1 of the act of January 25, 1966 (P. L. 1546 (1965), No. 541) (24 P. S. § 5151); The Institutional Assistance Grants Act (24 P. S. § § 5181—5189); the Urban and Rural Teacher Loan Forgiveness Act (24 P. S. § § 5191—5197); and the Agriculture Education Loan Forgiveness Act (24 P. S. § § 5198—5198.7), unless otherwise noted.
Source The provisions of this Subchapter N adopted August 4, 2000, effective August 5, 2000, 30 Pa.B. 3924, unless otherwise noted.
§ 121.401. Application of existing agency regulations.
(a) The following higher education grant sections contained in Subchapter A (relating to general provisions) apply to applicants in the Early Childhood Education Professional Loan Forgiveness Program:
(1) Section 121.1 (relating to definitions).
(2) Section 121.3 (relating to discrimination prohibited).
(3) Section 121.4(a) (relating to denial of eligibility to loan defaulters).
(4) Section 121.6 (relating to denial of eligibility for financial assistance).
(5) Section 121.7 (relating to notice of denial and preliminary review procedures).
(6) Section 121.8 (relating to applicant and recipient appeals and hearings).
§ 121.402. Qualified applicant.
A qualified applicant in the Early Childhood Education Loan Forgiveness Program is a person who meets the following requirements:
(1) Has successfully completed an undergraduate program at an accredited college or university.
(2) Has a bachelor’s degree and has obtained Pennsylvania State Early Childhood Education Certification (nursery through third grade), or an associate’s degree in Early Childhood or Child Development.
(3) Has borrowed through the Agency-administered Guaranteed Student Loan Programs.
(4) Is a resident of this Commonwealth.
(5) Executes a sworn affidavit, under penalty of perjury, that he does not have a delinquent payment owing to any Commonwealth agency.
(6) Receives an annual salary of less than $18,500 for the employment period for which loan forgiveness is requested.
(7) Has submitted a completed application by the filing deadline designated by the Agency.
Cross References This section cited in 22 Pa. Code § 121.406 (relating to lottery).
§ 121.403. Loan forgiveness.
Qualified applicants who are selected for the program in accordance with the Early Childhood Loan Forgiveness Act (24 P. S. § § 7101—7106) are eligible for payment by the Agency of a portion of the debt incurred by the applicant through the Agency-administered Guaranteed Student Loan Programs for the education necessary to successfully complete the specified bachelor’s degree or associate’s degree programs.
(1) For each 12-month employment period designated by the Agency that the applicant is a full-time professional in an approved Commonwealth child-care facility, the Agency may forgive a proportional part of the applicant’s loan so that the loan may be entirely forgiven over 4 years of full-time employment in an approved child-care facility.
(2) For a graduate with a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in the specified areas, no more than $2,500 shall be forgiven in any year, and no more than $10,000 shall be forgiven for any applicant.
(3) Payments shall be made to the lender/servicer in March and September.
(4) A loan forgiveness award may not be made for a loan that is in default at the time of the application.
§ 121.404. Employment.
An applicant selected for the Early Childhood Education Professional Loan Forgiveness Program is required to submit documentation the Agency may require as proof that those child-care professionals are working as full-time professionals in approved child-care facilities in this Commonwealth for the 12-month employment period designated by the Agency for loan forgiveness. Each child-care professional is required to submit documentation of eligibility as the Agency may require.
§ 121.405. Approved child-care facility.
An “approved child-care facility” is defined as a child day-care center or group day-care home located in this Commonwealth which is subject to and in compliance with 55 Pa. Code (relating to public welfare).
§ 121.406. Lottery.
(a) Loan forgiveness awards shall be made to the extent that funds are appropriated by the General Assembly and are sufficient to cover administration of the program. If funding is insufficient to fully fund administration and eligible applicants, the Agency shall utilize a random lottery system for determining which applicants receive loan forgiveness awards.
(b) When a random lottery is required, the lottery shall include only those records that are complete and eligible in accordance with § 121.402 (relating to qualified applicant) at the time the lottery is conducted.
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