Teacher Shortage Areas

This federal designation of teacher shortage areas enables Federal Perkins Loan borrowers who are full time teachers in any subject area in South Dakota to possibly qualify for cancellation of up to 100% of their loan. Perkins Loan borrowers should direct questions to the school where they received the loan or https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/teacher.

These designations may also enable TEACH Grant recipients to fulfill their teaching obligation under the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program.

This federal designation of teacher shortage areas enables borrowers who had no outstanding Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) on July 1, 1987, but who had an outstanding FFEL on July 1, 1993, to qualify for deferment of loan repayment under the Federal Stafford Loan Program anytime within the life of the borrower’s loan(s) for up to three years of service as a full-time teacher in a public or non-profit private elementary or secondary school in a teacher shortage area.

For any questions concerning the reduction of a teacher's obligation, contact Kelly Royer with the SD Department of Education at 605-773-8415.