Professional Learning Series of the Archdiocese of Dubuque Forgivable Loan Program
Forgivable Loan Rationale
The Office of Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Dubuque and Clarke University have initiated a collaborative Master of Arts in Education (MAE) Degree in an effort to better serve those teaching in Archdiocesan schools and related programs. This offering will enable Catholic School teachers/professional staff in the Archdiocesan schools to pursue a Master of Arts Degree in Education at Clarke University.
Realizing that the cost for further education and training can be cost prohibitive for individuals to assume on their own, the MAE Forgivable Loan Program was established in 2005 to assist in subsidizing the continuing education of teachers/professional staff to serve the students of the Archdiocese through this program.
Eligible Teachers
Teachers/professional staff in the Archdiocesan schools who intend to pursue a Master of Arts Degree in Education and take courses in the MAE program. This loan only applies to Clarke University courses in the MAE program.
Funding Amounts
The Archdiocese teaches 18 credit hours of the program at a reduced rate of $150 per credit through the contributed services of its staff.
Clarke University courses are $525 per credit hour for tuition and $40 for fees per credit hour for the 2021-22 school year.
Forgivable Loans are available for courses taught by Clarke University and the amount of the loan is set annually and is based on the total number of courses taken by student(s). Typically, the forgivable loan program pays up to $100 per credit hour of the courses taught by Clarke faculty. Students are eligible for forgivable loans on a maximum nine credits per academic year. Furthermore, forgivable loans are not available for coursework that has already been completed and paid for. Students are responsible for materials, books, and fees.
Student Responsibilities
Anyone receiving a forgivable loan makes a written commitment to serve in the Archdiocese for three years of service after completion of course work for which a forgivable loan has been received.
Application
Students complete the application to request the forgivable loan through Clarke University by completing the application form at the time of course registration. Clarke then provides the forgivable loan applications to the Office of Catholic Schools. The Office of Catholic Schools then verifies the applicant’s employment in an Archdiocesan school and a check is sent to Clarke University for the designated amount. The applicant is appraised of the loan award through a letter from the Office of Catholic Schools.
A record is kept at Clarke and the Office of Catholic Schools for each student. Please note that forgivable loan applications must be completed each semester courses are taken. Applications must be completed at registration, and given to the Clarke University Graduate Studies Office, who then forwards them to the Office of Catholic Schools.