How does this scholarship affect my other financial aid?
If you are receiving other SDSU scholarships (such as the Jackrabbit Guarantee or departmental scholarships), this scholarship money may replace those scholarships. This scholarship award will reduce or cancel your eligibility for federal student loans, the SMART grant, and the TEACH grant. However, it does NOT replace a Federal Pell grant, a Dakota Corps scholarship, or the SD Opportunity scholarship. If you have more questions on how this would affect your financial aid, please contact the SDSU Financial Aid Office.
Can the REMAST scholarship be used while studying abroad?
The REMAST scholarship has requirements, such as mandatory meetings, being involved in a student organization, and meeting with a faculty mentor. Since all these requirements take place at SDSU, it is essential that the recipients are on-campus.
Do I have to teach in South Dakota?
We would love it if you would teach in South Dakota, but it is not a requirement that you stay in South Dakota. However, you do have to teach in a "high-need" district and you will have to provide documentation that the district is "high-need" to Dr. Vestal. You will have to have your school district superintendent complete a form and send the form to Vestal.
What is the service requirement?
For each semester you receive the scholarship, you are required to teach for one year in a "high-need" school district.
Can I get a deferment for the service requirement?
The service requirement must be completed within 6 years of graduation. This should allow enough time to get a Master's degree in a two-year program. If you decide that you don’t want to teach or you teach in a district that is not “high-need,” then it becomes a loan with 5% which must be paid back within eight years of your graduation date. If extenuating circumstances arise and the service requirement cannot be completed within eight years, these situations will be handled on an individual basis.
Can international students apply?
The National Science Foundation requires that recipients be U.S. citizens, Nationals or Permanent Resident Aliens.
What is the definition of a "high-need" school district?
The term high-need local educational agency as defined in section 201 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1021) means a local educational agency (for example, a school district) that serves an elementary or secondary school located in an area which is characterized by at least one of the following:
- A high percentage of individuals from families with incomes below the poverty line.
- A high percentage of secondary school teachers not teaching in the content area in which they were trained to teach.
- A high teacher turnover rate.