AZ Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP)
Fact Sheet
What is the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) Program?
It is a program that establishes a federal-state partnership to provide financial assistance in the form of grants to students who have demonstrated financial need. Federal funds are provided to match appropriated state funds supplied by the states on a dollar for dollar basis. Each participating institution, public, or private provides institutional matching funds which are equal to the amount of funds provided by the State for the LEAP Program. Funds are dependent upon Federal approval and may not be available for certain award years.
Which institutions are eligible to participate?
Only public and private postsecondary institutions that are properly licensed in Arizona and accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency (which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education) are eligible.
Who is eligible to receive LEAP awards?
Arizona residents who are attending a participating eligible Arizona postsecondary education institution as either a full-time or half-time undergraduate level student and who can demonstrate financial need are eligible for LEAP awards.
How do students apply for the LEAP program?
Students apply for LEAP awards at their institution's financial aid office. All LEAP awards must be approved by the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education. Students must provide evidence that they have been an Arizona resident for at least one year. To do so, please fill out the AZ Leap form and email or mail it to your Finance Counselor.
How large are Arizona LEAP awards and must they be repaid?
The maximum LEAP award is $2,500 and minimum is $100 per academic year. LEAP awards are grants and do not have to be repaid.
AZ Math, Science and Special Education Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program (MSSE)
What is the Math, Science and Special Education Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program (MSSE)?
The Math, Science and Special Education Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program (MSSE) is a student-centered, need-based forgivable loan designed to financially support and to encourage Arizona resident junior or senior college students to enter into the teaching profession and teach in Arizona. Students must enter into an agreement with the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education (ACPE) to teach in an Arizona public school for a term equal to the number of years of loan received plus one year. The financial aid office at the institution must certify that the student meets the minimum qualifications for the loan.
Which institutions are eligible to participate?
Only public and private postsecondary institutions that are properly licensed in Arizona and accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency (which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education) are eligible.
How do students apply for the MSSE program?
Students can download and complete the AZ MSSE application. Additionally, students must sign a promissory note acknowledging the conditions of the loan and promising to repay the loan plus interest if teaching obligation is not met. Once completed, both forms must be mailed to Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education (ACPE). Funding is limited and awarded to eligible students on a first-come, first-served basis.
What is the award amount?
The maximum forgivable loan is $7,000 per academic year for up to three years excluding all grants, scholarships and other tuition benefits (ex: tribal and military). Funds can be applied toward tuition, instructional materials and mandatory fees as documented in the student's Cost of Attendance (COA) at their institution.
Minimum Qualifications for Loan:
AZ College Access Challenge Last Strength Scholarship (CACLSS)
What is the College Access Challenge Last Strength Scholarship?
The Federal College Access Challenge Last Stretch Scholarship is a need-based scholarship designed to assist college students who have completed over 60 college credit hours to achieve their baccalaureate degree at any regionally or nationally accredited institution. Eligible students must have substantial financial need (Pell Grant eligible) as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). One half of the program funds will be awarded to eligible students seeking a bachelor degree in any program of study. One half of the funds will be awarded to eligible students enrolled in an eligible STEM Program (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).
Which institutions are eligible to participate?
Only public and private postsecondary institutions that are properly licensed in Arizona and accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency (which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education) are eligible.
How do students apply for this scholarship?
Funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis at the time of application completion until funds have been exhausted. At that time eligible students will be placed on a waiting list in the event additional funding becomes available.
What is the maximum award amount?
The maximum grant award for the academic year is $2,000 based on full-time enrollment. Scholarship funds can be applied toward any educational expenses documented in the student's Cost of Attendance (COA) at their institution.
Minimum Qualifications:
