Pennsylvania Statutes Title 24 P.S. Education § 26-2601-I. Definitions

The following words and phrases when used in this article shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Agency.” The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.

“Department.” The Department of Education of the Commonwealth.

“Designated Commonwealth rural or academic improvement school district.” An eligible rural or academic improvement public school district that the Secretary of Education has certified as having a need for teacher loan forgiveness assistance because of difficulty in attracting qualified teachers.

“Eligible academic school improvement public school district.” A public school district that:

(1) has two or more schools identified for improvement or corrective action under section 1116(c)(3) or (10) of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001;  1

(2) has been certified as distressed under section 691;  2

(3) has been certified as an education empowerment district under section 1705-B or 1707-B;  3 or

(4) has been placed on an education empowerment list under section 1703-B. 4

“Eligible rural public school district.” A public school district that has a population of less than 300 per square mile and either:

(1) more than 8% of the pupils in average daily membership are low-income pupils as defined in section 2502.11;  5 or

(2) the market value/income aid ratio as defined in section 2501  6 is greater than seven-tenths.

“Qualified applicant.” A person who meets all of the following criteria:

(1) Is certified by the Department of Education to teach.

(2) Is in the first year of full-time teaching.

(3) Is teaching in a designated Commonwealth rural or academic improvement school district.

(4) Has borrowed through and has a current outstanding balance with the agency-guaranteed Stafford or consolidation loan programs.

“Secretary.” The Secretary of Education of the Commonwealth.