The University of Northern Colorado, Distance Opportunities for Interpreter Training Center, was awarded a 4-year grant (2006-2010) from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs to establish the National Project for the Preparation of Professional Educational Interpreters (#H325K060224A). This grant-funded project will sponsor 2010 – 2011 students who are prepared to:

Engage in third semester sophomore coursework
Select educational interpreting as their emphasis area
Provide a 2-year service obligation in exchange for the OSEP sponsorship ($10,000)
Through a competitive process, selection will be from 2010-2011 cohorts. Sponsorship to underwrite educational expenses will be up to $10,000 per student. Application for the OSEP sponsorship will be available when the student has been accepted as a 1) UNC student and 2) student in the ASL-English Interpretation major.

If the student does not complete the bachelor’s degree within the two years of sponsorship, or does not provide two years of service to an IDEA-eligible student, he or she must repay all the OSEP monies expended on his or her education. For more information on the service obligation/pay-back requirements, read the following federal guidelines carefully.

LOUISIANA EDUCATIONAL INTERPRETER PROJECT SCHOLARSHIPS

The UNC-DO IT Center is pleased to announce a partnership with the Louisiana Department of Education. The Louisiana Educational Interpreter Project (LEIP) began late in 2007. Two primary objectives are to provide sponsorship for individuals who qualify for either the Educational Interpreting Certificate Program or the ASL-English Interpretation baccalaureate degree program.

EDUCATIONAL INTERPRETER CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

LEIP is offering financial assistance to 10 individuals who are currently working in the public schools of Louisiana. The LEIP sponsorship will cover costs associated with tuition, instructional materials, summer housing, travel and per diem. The total 3-year sponsorship will be slightly less than $12,000.

Individuals who accept the LEIP sponsorship for EICP Cohort 7 will have a two-year service obligation (2011-2013) in Louisiana public schools following the completion of the EICP. Individuals, who fail to successfully complete the EICP, or fulfill their two-year service obligation, will be required to repay to the LA Department of Education the funds expended on their education.

ASL-ENGLISH INTERPRETATION BA PROGRAM

LEIP is offering financial assistance to 10 individuals who are interested in working in public schools of Louisiana. The LEIP sponsorship will cover costs associated with tuition, instructional materials, summer housing, travel and per diem. The total sponsorship will not exceed $30,000.

The BA program is currently accepting applications for a 2010 summer start. Individuals must be

a) admitted by the University of Northern Colorado and
b) accepted by the BA program before the scholarship will be made available.

Individuals who accept the LEIP sponsorship for the BA program will have a five-year service obligation in Louisiana public schools following the completion of their program. Individuals, who fail to successfully complete the EICP, or fulfill their five-year service obligation, will be required to repay to the LA Department of Education the funds expended on their education.