About LIFT
Purpose of the LIFT Program
The primary program provides up to $5,000 in loans, renewable annually for up to four years (in a five year degree program), to qualified high school graduates, college students, classroom paraprofessionals, and other Saline County residents who seek to become certified teachers. If hired, loan recipients are forgiven up to $5,000 of their loan repayment for each year they teach in USD 305 schools.
Goals for the LIFT Program
- to provide an incentive for high-performing students in the field of education to teach in the Salina public school system
- to respond proactively to needs in the USD 305 teaching force by addressing issues such as staff shortages in critical subject areas
Objectives for Reaching LIFT Goals
- to create an endowed fund of $1 million to finance the initiation of a forgivable student loan program for students who commit to teaching in Salina Public Schools
- to increase the financial assistance package available to loan recipients by establishing strategic funding partnerships with university schools of education
Who Can Apply?
All Saline County residents are eligible. Loan awards will be based on several factors, including:
- demonstrated commitment to the teaching profession
- evidence of academic excellence and/or superior job performance at a Unified School District (USD)
- recommendations from high school and university teachers or school district employers
Who will administer the L.I.F.T. Program?
A L.I.F.T. Program Governance Committee comprising no more than seven members will assist the Salina Education Foundation in developing policy and administering all aspects of the program. Governance Committee members will include:
- representatives of the Salina Education Foundation Board of Trustees (3)
- representatives of USD 305 administrative and teaching staff (2)
- representatives from the Saline County community (2)
- the Executive Director of the Salina Education Foundation will be ex-officio, without vote
How will candidates be identified?
Candidates will be identified through an application process that requires recommendations from high school and university teachers and school district employers.
How will recipients be selected?
The Governance Committee will review applications, academic records, support letters, and references to identify top candidates. The committee will make final selections following personal interviews with top candidates.
How will recipients' performance be monitored?
The Governance Committee will design a process for administering periodic reviews of student performance during each school year. Annual renewal of the loan will be determined through this process, which will include grade point average as documented through college transcripts, personal interviews with recipients, evaluations of practice teaching, and any other evaluation instruments deemed relevant by the committee.
Must USD 305 hire all recipients when they finish school?
Recipients cannot be guaranteed employment by USD 305, although they will be guaranteed an interview. However, a stringent selection process and monitoring system will minimize the possibility of funding candidates who do not demonstrate the capability of meeting USD 305 teacher standards. In addition, loan contracts will include a repayment obligation clause, which will be activated for any recipient who fails to complete the course of study or who does not teach in Salina Public Schools after graduation if offered employment.