HEAB Loan Program Applications

Teacher Loan Program Information 2026-2027

Overview

The Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB) manages and services the State of Wisconsin Teacher Loan program. The program provides education loans of up to $10000 per year. The overall lifetime maximum a student can borrow under this program is $30000. One hundred percent of this loan is forgivable, only if all criteria for forgiveness are met.

Eligiblity

To be eligible for this loan, the student must:

be a Wisconsin resident;
be enrolled at least half-time status as a sophomore, junior, or senior by a University of Wisconsin System institution or a non-profit, independent college or university in the state of Wisconsin;
be in a program of study leading to a full-time teaching degree in a discipline defined as a teacher shortage area by the Federal Department of Education (see Disciplines table below);
have a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent;
agree to practice full-time as a licensed teacher (with full-time teaching licensure) in Wisconsin:
1. for the term of the forgiveness period; and
2. in an elementary or secondary school located in the city of Milwaukee or a county defined as “rural” as defined by this program (eligible county list); and
3. Be hired to work and utilize the discipline specified with loan agreement, defined as a teacher shortage area by the Federal Department of Education.

The following disciplines have been identified as teacher shortage areas in the state of Wisconsin:

Standard Disciplines
English as a Second Language
Bilingual Education
Foreign Languages
Mathematics
Music
Reading
Sciences
Library Media

Special Education
Cognitive Disabilities
Cross Categorical
Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Early Childhood-Special Education
Emotional/Behavioral Disorders
Learning Disabilities
School Speech and Language Disabilities
Visual Disabilities

Career and Technology Education
Agriculture
Business Education
Family and Consumer Education
Marketing Education
Technology Education

Application Process

Complete application. FAFSA completion is required to process. Once all application materials are submitted, agency will create an initial award. School Financial Aid will certify enrollment and amount of award. Funds actually awarded may be reduced by school Financial Aid Office based on entire financial aid available. After initial award by this agency, a loan disclosure statement will be emailed to you.

After certification and award confirmation by School Financial Aid office, the loan will be disbursed directly to the college or university. Subsequent academic year loans are subject to this process.

Forgiveness and Repayment

One hundred percent of the loan may be forgiven. Prior to earning forgiveness you must:

Complete a program of study leading to a full-time teaching degree; in
A discipline defined as a teacher shortage area by the Federal Department of Education (list provided on first page of this document); and
Obtain a teaching license from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction of a permanent type; and
Be hired as a full-time teacher in an elementary or secondary school; in
The city of Milwaukee or a county defined as “rural” as defined by this program (eligible county list); and be
Employed utilizing the high-demand discipline as indicated on the recipient’s loan agreement; and
Receive a rating of proficient or distinguished on the educator effectiveness system or equivalent (in a school that does not utilize the educator effectiveness system).

For each year employed meeting all the criteria listed above, 25% of the loan will be forgiven. Forgiveness is applied incrementally based upon completion of a full year of employment. Forgiveness is obtained yearly by submission of the Status and Employment Verification form.

If repayment becomes necessary, this debt is incurred from the State of Wisconsin and repayment will be made directly to the State of Wisconsin. If not eligible for Forgiveness or not in program compliance, repayment will begin no sooner than six months after withdrawal or graduation from the nominating institution. The interest rate of the loan is 5%. Payments are due each month and the loan must be repaid within ten years from the date repayment begins.

If you have questions about this information, contact;

Peter Zammuto by phone at 608-267-2209, or e-mail at peter.zammuto@wisconsin.gov

Schools Eligible to Participate

ALVERNO COLLEGE
CARROLL UNIVERSITY
CARTHAGE COLLEGE
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY
EDGEWOOD UNIVERSITY
LAKELAND UNIVERSITY
MARANATHA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
MARIAN UNIVERSITY
MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY
MOUNT MARY UNIVERSITY
RIPON COLLEGE
ST. NORBERT COLLEGE
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - GREEN BAY
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-LA CROSSE
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-OSHKOSH
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-PARKSIDE
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-PLATTEVILLE
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-RIVER FALLS
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - STEVENS POINT
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-STOUT
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-SUPERIOR
VITERBO UNIVERSITY

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