Arkansas State Teacher Education Program (STEP)

Eligibility

• Be an Arkansas resident for at least 12 months before the application deadline and a US citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• Hold a valid Arkansas teaching license and outstanding federal student loans; private loans are not listed as eligible.
• Graduate from teacher education after April 2004, or qualify through completed alternative educator preparation under the linked rules. Confirm borderline graduation dates/alternative-route documentation with ADHE.
• Teach full-time in an Arkansas public school during the award year in a designated geographic OR subject shortage area. Teachers serving both receive first selection priority.
• Linked rules exclude teachers on intensive support under the Teacher Excellence and Support System during that school year.

Requirements

• Apply through SAMS by July 1, 2027; June 1 is the priority documentation date and July 15 is the final supporting-document postmark date.
• Provide a college transcript showing completion date and degree, license/employment verification and lender statement with borrower/account, balance, loan status and lender payment address.
• Confirm the current shortage designation. Some award-limit wording in the linked rules uses AND while eligibility and the sponsor say OR; ask ADHE to confirm your route before relying on funding.
• Reapply annually and meet eligibility each year for no more than three award years; report relevant status changes to ADHE.

How to Apply

1. 1Check your school/subject against current ADHE shortage designations and confirm licensure and qualifying preparation.
2. 2Submit a new SAMS STEP application during the annual October 1–July 1 window.
3. 3Upload completion transcript and current lender records and resolve employment/eligibility verification.
4. 4If selected, ADHE pays the eligible lender; verify payment and reapply the next year if still eligible.