Section 388.1627a - MI future educator fellowship program(1) From the educator fellowship public provider fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2024-2025 an amount not to exceed $10,000,000.00, from the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2024-2025 an amount not to exceed $10,000,000.00, and from the general fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2024-2025 an amount not to exceed $5,000,000.00 for the MI future educator fellowship program. The funds allocated under this section must be used to offset tuition costs for individuals who are working toward earning their initial teacher certification. At the close of the fiscal year, money allocated under this section that is unspent must be deposited as follows: (a) For state school aid fund money, into the educator fellowship public provider fund in section 27d.(b) For general fund money, into the educator fellowship private provider fund in section 27e.(2) To establish initial eligibility for an award from funding under this section, an individual must meet all of the following conditions by the date of enrollment described in subdivision (b):(a) Have graduated from high school with a diploma or certificate of completion or achieved a high school equivalency certificate.(b) Be admitted to an eligible educator preparation program; be working toward a teacher certification; be enrolled in enough coursework to be considered enrolled full-time during the academic year, as determined by the student's educator preparation program, or the equivalent of full-time participation for individuals enrolled in an alternative certification program, as defined by the department; and, for students at institutions of higher education, be considered at least a junior-level student, as determined by the institution of higher education.(c) Not have previously earned a teacher certification.(d) Timely complete a grant application in a form and manner prescribed by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential.(e) Timely file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the enrollment period described in subdivision (b).(f) Timely apply for all available gift aid for the enrollment period described in subdivision (b).(g) Agree to repay any funds received from funding under this section if the individual does not maintain enrollment in their educator preparation program, the individual does not successfully complete their educator program, or the individual does not complete the work requirement described in subsection (7).(h) Have a high school or college grade point average of at least 3.0.(i) Be a resident of this state, as determined for purposes of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.(3) To establish continuing eligibility for an award under this section at an eligible educator preparation program, an individual must meet all of the following conditions:(a) Maintain full-time continuous enrollment in an eligible educator preparation program, as determined by the educator preparation program, or the equivalent of full-time participation for individuals enrolled in an alternative certification program, as defined by the department, excluding any period of time missed due to a medical or other emergency, as determined by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential.(b) Maintain satisfactory academic progress, including a grade point average of at least 3.0, in courses provided by the eligible educator preparation program and meet requirements established by the eligible educator preparation program.(c) Participate in relevant academic and career advising programs offered by the eligible educator preparation program.(d) Timely file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for each academic year in which the individual receives an award from funding under this section.(e) Timely apply for all available gift aid for each academic year in which the individual applies for funding under this section.(f) Maintain residency in this state, as determined for purposes of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.(4) An award under this section must not exceed $10,000.00 per academic year or the cost of tuition at the eligible educator preparation program attended, whichever is less. As used in this subsection, the cost of tuition at an educator preparation program that is an institution of higher education is the in-district resident rate plus other required fees, as determined by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential; and the cost of tuition at an educator preparation program that is an alternative certification provider is the cost of tuition plus other required fees, as determined by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential.(5) Awards under this section must be distributed to eligible educator preparation programs on behalf of an eligible recipient on a timeline determined by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential.(6) Pending available funds, applicants may renew their award for up to 3 years, or until program completion, whichever comes first.(7) To be an eligible recipient of fellowship funding under this section, an individual must pledge to work as a certified teacher in a public school or a qualifying public preschool program in this state and must meet 1 of the following work requirements:(a) For a recipient of funding under this section who received an award for 1 academic year, 3 years of work as a certified teacher in a public school or a qualifying public preschool program in this state.(b) For a recipient of funding under this section who received an award for 2 academic years, 4 years of work as a certified teacher in a public school or a qualifying public preschool program in this state.(c) For a recipient of funding under this section who received an award for 3 academic years, 5 years of work as a certified teacher in a public school or a qualifying public preschool program in this state.(d) For a recipient working in a critical needs district, 3 years of work as a certified teacher. As used in this subdivision, "critical needs district" means a district with a median household income in the lowest quartile in each prosperity region, as determined by the department.(8) If an award recipient does not maintain enrollment in their educator preparation program as required under subsection (3)(a), does not successfully complete their educator preparation program, or does not meet the work requirement described in subsection (7), any amount received from funds under this section converts to a 0% interest loan that must be repaid to this state within 10 years, plus any deferment period as determined and approved by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential. The amount of repayment must be reduced proportionate to the number of years worked in schools or qualifying public preschool programs in this state as a certificated teacher out of 5 years. The department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential shall develop guidance to enforce this subsection.(9) An individual may not concurrently receive funding through programs funded under this section and grow your own programs funded under section 27b.(10) If the amount allocated in subsection (1) is insufficient to fully fund awards under this section, there is appropriated from the educator fellowship public provider fund in section 27d or the educator fellowship private provider fund in section 27e, as applicable, the amount necessary to fully fund these programs. The state budget director shall provide notification to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees on K to 12 school aid and the house and senate fiscal agencies for any additional appropriation described under this subsection.(11) Notwithstanding section 17b, the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential shall make payments under this section on a schedule determined by the department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential.(12) The department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential shall report to the chairpersons of the house appropriations subcommittee on school aid and education and the senate appropriations subcommittee on pre-K to 12 by February 1 of the current fiscal year. The report must include the following: (a) The number and amount of awards granted in the previous fiscal year.(b) The number of recipients in the previous fiscal year that had their awards converted to loans under subsection (8).(13) As used in this section, "eligible educator preparation program" means a public or nonpublic institution of higher education or an alternative route provider that meets all of the following, as applicable: (a) Is approved by the department to offer teacher preparation programming.(b) Enrolls 1 or more future educator fellowship recipients.(c) Has not been deemed as ineligible to receive Michigan achievement scholarship funding under section 248 as a result of exceeding tuition restraint requirements described in section 248.Amended by 2024, Act 120,s 33, eff. 10/1/2024.Amended by 2023, Act 103,s 47, eff. 10/1/2023.Added by 2022, Act 144,s 37, eff. 10/1/2022.