Eligibility:

• Participants are eligible for only one Praxis reimbursement payment per fiscal year. 
• All full-time (Teachers/Paraprofessionals) must be employed during the entire school semester for which reimbursement is sought.
• New Hires: Praxis must be undertaken after the first day of employment.
• Separated Employees: Praxis must be completed during the time of employment.
• Employees on sabbatical leave are not eligible for Praxis reimbursement.
• Only passing scores are eligible for reimbursement.
• Praxis Reimbursement only includes the cost of the assessment.
• The maximum reimbursement for the School Leadership Praxis test is $350.00.

Procedures for Praxis Reimbursement:

• Complete the Praxis Reimbursement application.
• Include the Praxis score report and documentation that reflects a payment to ETS. (e.g. bank statement, credit card statement, money order receipt)
  • The participant’s name and address must be displayed on the payment documentation.
• Submit the application and documentation to The Office of Human Resources.

To download the Praxis Reimbursement Application click here.

EBRPSS Praxis Reimburement Submission link

Eligibility:

• Certified classroom teachers that are required to obtain Out-of-Field (OFAT) certification
• Existing ESL (English as a Second Language) personnel that are required to obtain ESL certification 
• All full-time participants must be employed during the entire school semester for which assistance is sought.
• Employees on sabbatical leave are not eligible for Teacher Tuition Assistance/Reimbursement.
• Separated Employees: Courses must be completed during your time of employment.
• Participants must attend an accredited undergraduate institution, receive passing grades of C or higher, and attain college credits.
• A maximum of six (6) credits will be allotted per semester for each fiscal year: July 1st- June 6th
• As of July 1, 2016, Summer courses are ineligible for Tuition Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement. 
• Tuition assistance/reimbursement is applicable only to the prescribed courses listed on the certification plan of study.
• Incomplete courses or withdrawal from courses are the responsibility of the participant.
• The amount paid by the school district for a private College/University, which must be approved by the State, shall not exceed the highest tuition charged by a public College/University in the State.
• Tuition Assistance/Reimbursement covers only “pure tuition” fees.

Procedures for Teacher Tuition Assistance:

• Complete the Tuition Assistance application and attain the principal’s signature.
• Submit the following to the Office of Human Resources at least five days prior to the start of the semester:
  • The completed application
  • A copy of your class schedule and transcript
  • A completed OFAT certification plan of study
• A list will be sent to the University so that the applicants’ accounts are credited. University policy may differ on how and when this credit is posted.

Procedures for Teacher Tuition Reimbursement:

• Complete the Teacher Tuition Reimbursement application and attain the principal’s signature.
• Submit the application and a copy of your class schedule to the Office of Human Resources at least five days prior to the start of the semester.
• Register for the coursework and pay all fees required.
• After the completion of the coursework, submit a copy of your approved application with the required documentation
  • Passing grades of C or Higher
  • University receipts
  • Proof of payment (bank/credit card statement or money order receipt that also reflects the participant’s name and address)

To download the Teacher Tuition Assistance/Reimbursement Application click here. 

Additional Resources:

Tuition Assistance/Reimbursement Correlation to Louisiana State University’s Gifted Education MEd

The BESE Tuition Program for Teachers is a competitive program that allows teachers to enroll in courses at Louisiana colleges and universities at the state’s expense. Teachers selected into the program will have their course tuition paid directly to the Louisiana Office of State Financial Assistance by the Louisiana Department of Education.

Certified and currently employed classroom teachers are eligible to apply. Awardees are granted funding for a course, but not guaranteed enrollment in the course. Participating teachers must meet all course requirements and follow the enrollment process of the participating college or university.

STEM Fellows: To address the need for teachers certified in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to meet the growing needs of Louisiana’s STEM-based industries, applications for courses in STEM fields will be prioritized. Teachers participating in the program taking STEM-focused coursework will also join a cadre of educators called STEM Fellows, who will work with the Department and the LaSTEM Council (will open in new tab) to further STEM initiatives across the state.

Funding will be awarded as available. Priority will be given to applicants who:

• Apply to enroll in a course related to the implementation of a high school STEM Pathway;
• Apply to enroll in a STEM course;
• Teach one or more STEM classes;
• Seek teacher certification in a STEM-related field;
• Teach in a rural school system;
• Teach at a school labeled Comprehensive Intervention Required and/or Urgent Intervention Required; and/or
• Apply to enroll in a course that fits into a broader certification, higher degree or other professional development program.

More information about applying for the BESE Tuition Program for Teachers can be found at: https://www.louisianabelieves.com/teaching/continuing-education-opportunities-for-educators.

INELIGIBILITY: 

Tuition shall not be paid on the following:

• Non-credit courses or audit courses.
• Non-instructional credit courses such as examination courses.
• Courses in theology or divinity
• Courses for applicants who are receiving retirement funds from a State retirement system.
• Courses taken by independent study.
• Applicants receiving other financial assistance (i.e. stipends, graduate assistantships) specified for tuition/registration costs are ineligible for the BESE Tuition Program for Teachers.

Applicants that do not receive a spot in the BESE Tuition Program for Teachers will be eligible to apply to take courses through the Board of Regents Louisiana Classroom Teacher Enrollment Program (CTEP).

Louisiana Revised Statute 17:7.3 requires the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to establish a continuing education program at Louisiana colleges and universities under which classroom teachers may take courses with tuition paid by the State.

This law creates the Louisiana Classroom Teacher Enrollment Program (CTEP), which, if several stipulations are met, allows classroom teachers to attend approved Louisiana colleges and universities tuition-free (all other fees must be paid by the teacher) on a space-available basis.

Application and Guidelines

When applying for CTEP, the following requirements must be met:

• Participant is employed as a full-time, certified classroom teacher in East Baton Rouge Parish School System
• The teacher was employed during the last academic years as a full-time classroom teacher
• The participant commits to EBRPSS that s/he will practice his/her profession as a classroom teacher for at least the subsequent year
• The school in which h/she teaches is a state-approved public or non-public elementary or secondary school under the jurisdiction of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE)
• The teacher must have no outstanding financial obligation to any college or university participating in CTEP
• When applying for CTEP, teachers cannot preregister or register for the courses through regular registration and will enter the courses after drop/add if space is available.

CTEP PROCEDURES:

1. You must apply and be admitted into the University – either as degree seeking or non-matriculating.

2. DO NOT ADD THE COURSE(S) TO YOUR SCHEDULE YOURSELF. CTEP operates on a space available basis. Once the last day to add has passed, eligible students will be added to the course if there are seats available. Adding the course(s) on your own will result in you not being able to use CTEP funds.

3. CTEP cannot be used for the following course types:

• Courses that are predominantly web-based (50% and above)
• Practicums
• Independent Study courses
• Thesis & dissertation courses
• The course should lead to an education degree/certification area or increase the content knowledge of the subject area currently being taught by the applicant.

4. Course enrollment is limited to 6 semester hours per semester (spring, fall, and summer)

5. CTEP applications must be submitted before the last day to add courses for the semester in which you’re intending to take the course(s).

6. Use the following link to complete the CTEP application with EBRPSS: EBRPSS Digital Classroom Teacher Enrollment Program (CTEP) Application

7. After you receive the completed CTEP documentation from the HR Representative, submit them to the university’s Registrar’s Office.