(a) Applications — Solicitation of applicants.

1. (1)

   1. (A) Program information will be mailed to the following:

(i) K-12 school administrators and other interested personnel;

1. (ii) Colleges, schools, and departments of education;

   1. (iii) Financial aid directors and officers; and

      1. (iv) Other college campus personnel, such as advisors, who express an interest in disseminating information to prospective applicants.
   2. (B) Information is also available upon request from the Division of Higher Education.

   3. (C) The division staff will disseminate program information through:

      1. (i) Workshops;
      2. (ii) Meetings;
      3. (iii) Press releases;
      4. (iv) The division newsletter; and
      5. (v) Other means deemed appropriate.

2. (2)

   1. (A) An online application will be available at the division’s website.
   2. (B) The application deadline shall be stated on the application form each year.
   3. (C) The division shall have the authority to extend the deadline as needed to ensure a quality applicant pool so long as sufficient public notice is provided.

3. (3)

   1. (A) Upon receipt by the division, applications are reviewed to ensure that all pertinent data is included.
   2. (B) Each applicant will receive confirmation of the receipt and completeness of the application.
   3. (C) For those whose application is either incomplete or ineligible, a notification will be made identifying the reason for incompleteness or ineligibility.
   4. (D) The applicant will then have the opportunity to provide the missing information or correct any inaccurate information.
   5. (E) Before an applicant can be considered for an award, the corrected or missing information must be received by the division by the deadline indicated in the incomplete or ineligible notice.

(b) Selection and notification of recipients.

1. (1) The division shall review applicants and select recipients based on the eligibility criteria for the State Teacher Education Program.

2. (2) Selected recipients will receive award notices stating their eligibility for the program and the conditions of their award.

   1. (c) Ranking of applicants. Priority for the State Teacher Education Program repayment grants is as follows:
3. (1) First priority is Arkansas teachers teaching in both subject and geographic shortage areas;
4. (2) Second priority is Arkansas teachers teaching in subject shortage areas;
5. (3) Third priority is Arkansas teachers teaching in geographic shortage areas; and

6. (4) Fourth priority is Arkansas public school teachers who have completed an alternative educator preparation program.

   1. (d) Disbursement of award.
7. (1) The award will be disbursed in one (1) disbursement to the federal student loan holder indicated by the applicant.
8. (2) If the award amount is larger than the outstanding loan balance, the award amount will be reduced to the amount of the loan balance.