TBVI Programs School Options

UND Visual Impairments

  • Total Credits 24-29
  • 100% virtual
  • Length of time to complete: 4-5 semesters about 18 months

Northern Colorado

  • Total Credits (36 Credits* may be less if not required to complete MA)
  • Entirely online
  • Length of time to complete: Estimated 18 – 24 months

Western Michigan

Possible OSEP Grant award (covered 50% of tuition during last OSEP award)

  • Total Credits (40* or 49** Credits MA program may be less if not required to complete MA) *if have a special ed background, **No background
  • Hybrid Online during the year, in person for summer 6 weeks intense June – August
  • Length of time to complete: Estimated 18 – 24 months

Combined degree (Vision & O&M)

  • 65 Credits
  • 2 Summers in Kalamazoo
  • Online during the school year
  • Length of time to complete: Estimated 24 months

Tuition Support Opportunities

Region 10 Application for Tuition Supports – Apply Now!

Currently Licensed Special Educators

Region 10 Low Incidence Projects and the Region 10 Directors of Special Education have set aside $40,000 in funds available to support current or prospective teachers in pursuing special education licensure in a variety of special education areas. This initiative is made possible with a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education using federal funding, CFDA 84.027A, Special Education – Grants.

To qualify, you must be a Tier 3 special education teacher.

The intent of this tuition support program is to increase the number of available teachers licensed in Academic Behavior Specialist, Blind/Visually Impaired, Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing, Developmental Disabilities, Developmental Physical Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Physical/Health Disabilities, or Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS) throughout our region. The expectation is that teachers who benefit from this tuition support would then pursue licensure upon completion of course requirements and actively pursue and/or be available for employment in this capacity.

Retention Grant
This opportunity is for teachers who do or did not qualify for the tuition support effective fall of 2022 due to the updated information that the federal funds we used were not eligible to be used for Tier 1 or Tier 2 or general education teachers going back for their special education license.  This opportunity pays a stipend for up to 2 years of $2,400 per year for working in the school district in Region 10.
To qualify, staff need to be a tier 3 special education teacher between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2025.
The number of candidates selected for tuition support will depend upon the number of qualified applicants for any given year. Applicants must be currently in college seeking one of the aforementioned special education licenses currently employed as a teacher in Region 10, and plan to continue teaching in Region 10. Participants must be enrolled in an approved University program that provides coursework toward licensure. The amount of the award is $150 per graduate credit.  Awards will be granted upon completion of the course(s) following submission of proof of enrollment and program of study, as well as required documentation indicating course completion and receipt of paid tuition at the end of the grant’s fiscal calendar year (June 30th).
Grow Your Own Special Education Scholarship
Region 10 Low Incidence Projects and several Region 10 School Districts have applied for and received a Grow Your Own Grant from the Minnesota Department of Education.  This grant is to increase the number of teachers of color or American Indian from a significant discrepancy (3.4% to 28.8%) to align with our current community demographics in the joint applicant school districts ranging from 4% to 28.8% respectively.  *Funds will cover the full cost of tuition, books, and fees.A potential candidate must:

  • be working toward initial special education teacher licensure
  • have a letter of reference from the special education director (send to cwernau@zumbroed.org)
  • commit to working for 5 years in a Region 10, SE MN school district upon completion of a tier 3 license
  • Enroll in PELSB approved preparation program
Funds are available for:
  • Tuition costs – funds are sent directly to the university or special educator preparation program
  • Living Stipends – may be available to candidates based on need provided in the application

To qualify, candidates must be a part of the GYO member districts including Austin Public Schools, Fillmore Central Public Schools, Hiawatha Valley Education District (or member districts), Minnesota State Academies, Southern Minnesota Education Consortium (or member districts), or the Zumbro Education District (or member districts).  Preference is given to teachers of color or American Indian.

Applicant Requirements

The number of candidates selected for tuition support will depend upon the number of qualified applicants for any given year. Applicants must be either currently in college seeking one of the aforementioned special education licenses, or currently employed as a teacher in Region 10, and plan on teaching in Region 10. Participants must be enrolled in an approved University program that provides coursework towards licensure. The amount of the award is $150 per graduate credit. Awards will be granted upon completion of the course(s) following submission of proof of enrollment and program of study, as well as required documentation indicating course completion and receipt of paid tuition at the end of the grant’s fiscal calendar year (June).

MUST currently hold a Tier 3 or Tier 4 Special Education Teacher License through PELSB.

Mentoring Requirement

As part of the Tuition Support, Region 10 now requires you to be a part of the Minnesota Mentoring Program

Course Requirements & Related Tuition Support

Course requirements for licensure are dependent upon the applicant’s current teaching credentials. If a candidate has another special education teacher licensure, the graduate certificate/licensure coordinator will review the transcript and identify any additional courses needed to meet licensure requirements. Only courses needed for licensure will be eligible for reimbursement (any other courses taken to obtain a Master’s Degree will be the financial responsibility of the student). Payment of dropped courses and/or courses that do not meet grade requirements are the responsibility of the applicant. Grade Requirement: “A” or “B” or “PASS”.

Timeline

  • There are two (2) windows for application:
  • March 1st through April 30th, Notification by June 1
  • July 1 through September 30th, Notification by November 1

Application Directions

Conditions of Repayment

If a candidate receives monetary support from Region 10 Low Incidence Project the teacher is expected to be available/teach in a school district located in Region 10 for a minimum period of (5) years with the license that was supported by tuition from the Region. In the event the teacher voluntarily leaves the region within the 5-year period, the teacher will be required to reimburse the region under the following formula:

  • 1 year of completed service reimburses 80% of tuition
  • 2 years of completed service reimburses 60% of tuition
  • 3 years of completed service reimburses 40% of tuition
  • 4 years of completed service reimburses 20% of tuition
  • 5 years of completed service – no reimbursement

If a teacher is awarded tuition support and refuses to work in the area of licensure they obtained then the teacher will be required to reimburse the region in full for tuition support received.

If an individual’s application was previously approved, candidates must update their course of study each following year.

Tuition Support Reimbursement

All reimbursement Requests must be submitted by June 30th