The Teacher of the Visually Impaired Loan Program provides loans to Wisconsin resident undergraduates or graduate students who are enrolled at least half-time at an in-state or eligible out-of-state institution in a program that prepares them to be licensed as teachers of the visually impaired or as orientation and mobility instructors. This State of Wisconsin loan program provides education loans of up to $10,000 maximum per year. The overall lifetime maximum a student can borrow is $40,000.

To be eligible for this loan, the student must:

1. be a Wisconsin resident;
2. be enrolled in a participating in-state or eligible out-of-state school (https://heab.state.wi.us/files/programs/tvi-eligibility.pdf);
3. be enrolled at least half-time (as determined by the school) in a degree or certificate program leading to Wisconsin licensure and a career as a teacher of the visually impaired or mobility and orientation specialist;
4. make satisfactory academic progress (per federal student financial aid criteria);
5. agree to practice full-time as a licensed teacher of the visually impaired or mobility and orientation specialist in Wisconsin for the term of the forgiveness period.

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.

The student who participates in this program must agree to be a licensed teacher or an orientation and mobility instructor in a Wisconsin school district, the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired or a cooperative educational service agency. For each of the first two years the student teaches and meets the eligibility criteria, 25% of the loan is forgiven. For the third year, 50% is forgiven. If the student does not teach and meet the eligibility criteria, the loan must be repaid at an interest rate of 5%.

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