First off I want to say thank you for taking the time for answering everyones questions, there aren’t enough people like you!  I have been searching for months for a site like this since I never receive a straight answer from the BoE, Sallie Mae (Naviet now), or the state office!  I’ve done so my research on this subject and spoken to so many people.

I am finishing my 5th year as a special education elementary school teacher in a title 1 school.  When I was hired I had an Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 2), Initial Certificate.  I was then given a Supplementary Certificate which would allow me to teach special education while I finished my last semester of required Sp.Ed course work (NY only allows this certification once all exams are passed and only 9 credits remain). 

I see that “highly qualified” has this clause:
“have not had certification or licensure requirements waived on an emergency, temporary, or provisional basis.”

Would my supplementary certificate be considered “waived on an emergency, temporary, or provisional basis”? Technically I did teach under a NYS certificate, however my Initial SpEd certificate wasn’t issued until Feb. 2012 (even though I applied and met all qualifications for it in Feb 2011, I was not issued one until the supplemental expired in Feb. 2012).

Should I apply for forgiveness at the end of this year or wait until Feb 2017 to file (I’m looking for the $17,500).  If I wait I’ll be teaching over 5 years but would be teaching under an initial certificate for special education (also I am applying for my professional Sp.Ed certificate and should have it by the time I apply for loan forgiveness).

I know it is common for these applications to be denied but I would greatly appreciate your input.  It’s a lot of money and I don’t want to get my hopes up…
If you don’t know would you have any idea of someone I could contact?

FYI I meet all other requirements for forgives- it’s just the certification that could hold me up.

Thank you so much for your time!

If you’re a teacher and struggling with federal student loan debts, this could possibly be the incentive for you to consider a career change in education. Both state and federal programs can help you forgive and cancel out loans
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