(a)
Participants shall be enrolled in an approved course of study leading to the teacher, site supervisor, or program director level of the Child Development Permit.
(b)
An applicant shall be eligible to participate if he or she meets one of the following criteria:
(1)
Is nominated by a postsecondary institution.
(2)
Is nominated by his or her employing agency that holds an approved waiver of staffing qualifications on behalf of the applicant.
(c)
From the list of applicants who are eligible under subdivisions (a) and (b), the Student Aid Commission, or an agency designated by the commission, shall select participants on the basis of their demonstrated financial need and academic achievement, which may include, but not be limited to, high school grade-point average, college grade-point average, or academic test scores.
(d)
Participants shall maintain no less than half-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress as defined by the postsecondary educational institution.
(e)
Recipients of a grant may renew their participation by maintaining satisfactory academic progress, financial need, and intent to pursue the approved course of study leading to the teacher, site supervisor, or program director level as provided in subdivision (a). The maximum amount any one recipient may receive through the grant program is six thousand dollars ($6,000).
(f)
Participants may not concurrently receive benefits from the grant program under this article and from the Child Development Teacher Loan Assumption Program.