Trends and Issues

Question of the week

Q.: A school can provide Title IV aid to an otherwise eligible student who is enrolled in a post-baccalaureate teacher certification program. Can a school provide Title IV aid to a student in another type of certification program in the field of education?

A.: First, let's establish what makes a postsecondary education program eligible for Title IV aid.

The regulations in 34 CFR 668.8 define an "eligible program" (i.e., one that a student can enroll in and be eligible for Title IV aid) at an institution of higher education as a degree or certificate program. The degree or certificate must be awarded by the school. There are two exemptions in which a student can enroll in coursework that is not considered part of an "eligible program" but for which a student can still receive aid. Those two exemptions are: preparatory coursework for admission into an eligible program (i.e., a degree or certificate program), and post-baccalaureate teacher certification (in which the certificate is awarded not by the school, but by the state in which the student will be employed). For more information, see the 2008-09 Federal Student Aid Handbook, pages 1-3 to 1-5.

The post-baccalaureate teacher certification exemption applies only to a certification "that is required for employment as a teacher in an elementary or secondary school in that state" [per 34 CFR 668.32(a)(1)(iii)]. If a student is enrolled in another type of certification program only, the student is not eligible for Title IV aid. The following is from the Common Manual Section 5.11:

"[T]his exemption does not apply to students seeking a professional credential or certification that is required for employment as a non-teaching professional (e.g., a school administrator, nurse, or librarian), or to students enrolled in a teacher certification or recertification course that uses direct assessment rather than credit hours or clock hours to measure student progress."

Note that if a school offers a non-teaching professional certification (e.g., a principal certification) as part of another educational credential awarded by the school (e.g., a master's degree program in educational administration) in which the student receives not only the degree, but also the certification, the school may offer a student enrolled in that program Title IV aid. This is because the student is pursuing a degree awarded by the school, which meets the definition of an "eligible program."

Do you have a question?
If you have a question that needs an answer, feel free to Ask TG™. Ask TG is TG's online query tool for borrowers, schools, and lenders. It includes a database of frequently asked questions about financial aid, student loan processing, and TG's products and services. To submit a question to Ask TG, visit tgslc.custhelp.com.

  Back to Top