Will the Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program be offered every year?
The Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program is a 5-year program that was implemented SY 23/24, running through SY 28/29.
Is the award received from the Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program taxable income?
Yes. The award received from the Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program is taxable income, and your social security number will be shared with Howard County Government for your check to be disbursed.
I was a Substitute for 3 years and have been a teacher for 3 years. Am I eligible for the Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program?
No. You are not eligible for the Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program, because Substitutes are not full-time, permanent employees.
Do I need to have been a teacher for five years or just employed for five years to be eligible for the Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program?
You need to be employed as a full-time, permanent employee for a minimum of five school years to be eligible for the Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program.
What certification am I required to have to be eligible for the Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program?
One of the following active certifications is required to be eligible for the Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program (based on what is listed in your Workday profile under Careers > Certifications):
Will I have to repay the money awarded by the Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program at any time?
No, repayment is not required for the Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program.
If a student loan is for my child, but is in my name, is it eligible to be covered by the Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program?
No, the Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program provides loan assistance for the loans of current HCPSS staff only.
If I guarantee that I will stay with the HCPSS for 5 years, can my application for the Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program be considered?
No. You must have completed five full school years of employment to be eligible for the Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program.
Does applying for the Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program interfere with application for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)?
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is a program that forgives the remaining balance of federal student loans for people who work in public service and make 120 qualifying monthly payments.
Contact PSLF at Home | Federal Student Aid to determine if your application for the Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program will have any impact upon your application for PSLF.
Do I have to complete my fifth year of employment before I am eligible for the Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program?
Yes, five full school years of employment is required for the Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program. For example, if your hire date is 8/20/2020, you would not be eligible to apply for loan assistance until 6/30/25.
Your five years do not need to be consecutive. For example, if you worked for HCPSS from 8/20/2010 to 6/30/2014 and left to pursue other employment, returning to HCPSS from 8/20/2022 to present, you would satisfy the five-year requirement.