OSEP Scholar Information
The PSI Project will award an OSEP scholarship for a total of 27 upper division students in the UNC ASL-English Interpretation (ASLEI) program from 2021-2026. These students will be OSEP Scholars.
The PSI Project's OSEP Scholarship will prepare you to successfully work in public schools as part of the interdisciplinary team who support the education of students who are deaf and hard of hearing. As an OSEP Scholar, you will complete a 15 credit School Interpreting Series (SIS) concentration based on the Values and Competencies, as part of your ASLEI BA coursework.
Graduate Spotlight
Scholar Requirement
To be considered for the Cohort 4 OSEP scholarship under the PSI Project, you must be a current ASLEI student. The OSEP scholarship is only available to ASLEI students who are:
A Year 2 Student
(Sophomore)
(no prior breaks/semesters off)
Entering Year 3 in Fall 2025
(i.e., 300-level courses) and scheduled to graduate no later than May 2027.
In good academic standing
(Maintain ASLEI eligibility requirements, without prior provisional status or incompletes)
Become an ASLEI Student
Visit the ASLEI program for more information.
The School Interpreting Series concentration is six (6) courses. These courses will be taken during the fall and spring semesters of Year 3 and Year 4.
- INTR 430: Introduction to School Interpreting (3 credits)
- INTR 431: Systems and Structures for School Interpreting (3 credits)
- INTR 432: An Interdisciplinary Approach to School Interpreting I (3 credits)
- INTR 433: Childhood Development for School Interpreting (3 credits)
- INTR 434: An Interdisciplinary Approach to School Interpreting II (3 credits)
- INTR 435: Program to Practice for School Interpreting (1 credit)
SIS degree plan (printable)The SIS Degree Plan is the typical plan of study for Cohort 1-3 OSEP scholars; however, individualized advisement will occur for Cohhort 4.
Perks of the PSI & ASLEI Partnership
As an OSEP Scholar, you will get two years of financial support to complete your BA degree in ASL-English Interpretation with a specialization in the School Interpreting Series (INTR 430-435).
As an ASLEI student, you will enter the profession as a competent, autonomous practitioner. The ASLEI curriculum is:
Based on Entry-to-Practice Competencies
Based on research with input from expert sources
Offered on campus or online to impact the national need for qualified interpreters
Accredited by the
Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education
Scholar Expectations
Submit PSI's
OSEP Application
Apply for the
OSEP Scholarship Award.
Be an
OSEP Scholar
Complete the specialization as part of your ASLEI major.
Attend required OSEP meetings & follow individualized advisement.
Commit to
Induction/Service
Complete post-graduation professional experiences & begin the 4-year, public school service obligation.
Scholar Benefits
Under the PSI Project, selected Cohort 4 Scholars' OSEP scholarship awards may include:
$25,000-$27,000
Direct support for:
- Tuition
- Educational stipends
~$1,000
Stipend to offset the cost of internship experiences outside of an OSEP Scholar’s home community
$3,000 (+/-)
Post-graduation professional opportunities, such as: (1) reimbursing national credential knowledge exams (e.g., EIPA: Written or CASLI Generalist Knowledge Exam) and (2) attending a professional conference.
Note, Cohort 4 post-graduation opportunities are different than prior cohorts due to the conclusion of this grant.
Scholar Service Obligation
In return for the OSEP scholarship, you will need to work in an educational setting with students who receive Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) services (e.g., IEP or 504).
2 years of academic funding support
Year 3 & 4 of the ASLEI Program
2 years of service for each
year of academic funding support
4 years of full-time employment
with an IDEA eligible student
Many ASLEI students can actually begin tracking their service obligation during their senior year.
You will have to pay back the OSEP funds used for your education if you do not complete
the required service obligation.
The PSI Project provides scholarships through the Special Education Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities under the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). Funding from OSEP requires a service obligation based on Section 662(h) of the Act and regulations of this part. Additional information about the service obligation is available on the OSEP website.
Grant Recognition
The contents of the PSI Project website were developed under a U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Program (OSEP) personnel preparation project (H325K210024). The contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the federal government.
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