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Office of Special Education Programs - OSEP Grant

Bay Path University has been awarded a federal grant totaling $1,201,833 from the U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to train special education teachers. The grant began October 1, 2023, and continues through September 30, 2028.

This grant will help graduate students successfully obtain both a Massachusetts Severe Disabilities and Moderate Disabilities Educator licenses combined with a Master of Science Degree in Education.

It will also help the University create and offer professional development opportunities to faculty and teachers at partnering school districts, which include Holyoke Public Schools, Worcester Public Schools, the Center for Applied Behavioral Instruction, based in Worcester, plus other districts across the state.

Scholar Benefits of the Grant

The OSEP grant funding is competitive and includes scholarship funds for eligible individuals enrolled in the Master of Science in Education/Special Education (MSEd) Graduate Program to cover:

Tuition*	Textbooks
MTEL preparation and exams	Licensure fees
Intensive mentoring while in the program and for two years after graduation	Application based coursework
Field-based experiences and practicum completed within your school setting**	Participation in professional learning communities
On-going professional development	CEC membership
Attendance at the Massachusetts CEC annual conference	Based on financial need *Field-based experiences and practicums must be completed in a Massachusetts Public School or Approved Chapter 766 Special Education School

The grant will allow Bay Path University to realign its graduate courses in the Special Education Licensure programs to the Council for Exceptional Children Initial Practice-Based Standards for Special Education which will lead to National Accreditation and Recognition for Bay Path University.

Non-discrimination policy

The University is committed to adhering to all state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination in its educational programs and activities, including employment on the basis of a person’s race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, marital or parental status, military service or veteran status, gender, disabilities, genetic information or other legally protected status, mission as permitted by law.

This Policy supports the University’s commitment to compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities, as well as other federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination in education and employment including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and The Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Act, M.G.L. Ch. 151B.

Application Requirements

For consideration, applicants must meet and submit the following requirements:

Working in a Massachusetts School District
Overall GPA of 3.0 or above
Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts
A current resume
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. Bay Path University's school code is 002122.
Complete our online application
Signed Program Requirements Form - Download the Program Requirements form here.
Two Letters of Recommendation
Personal Essay Statement addressing the question: "Discuss your experiences, perspectives, and goals related to special education, and outline how your academic and professional background has prepared you for advanced study in this field. In your response, address the critical issues facing special education today and propose potential strategies for improving the inclusivity and effectiveness of special education programs.

All documentation, including recommendation forms and official transcripts, may be mailed or emailed directly to Bay Path University Office of Graduate Admissions:

By Mail:
Bay Path University
Office of Graduate Admissions
588 Longmeadow Street
Longmeadow, MA 01106

By Email:
graduate@baypath.edu

Selection Criteria

Students will be selected to receive the OSEP grant based on the following criteria:

Assurance that all of the above requirements are met.
Financial Need (FAFSA required)
Potential for completing the program
Commitment to the field of special education and the OSEP service agreement*
Diversity of the applicant pool
Overall GPA
Letters of Recommendation
Personal Essay Statement
Interview with Program Director

Selection Process

The program director interviews scholarship applicants at the time of application. The application deadline for Summer 2024 is April 1, 2024. The summer 2024 semester begins May 6, 2024. Candidates selected to receive scholarships are notified in writing with confirmation of the approximate scholarship award amount for the forthcoming semester. All OSEP Grant Scholars are REQUIRED to attend an OSEP PDP/DCS Service Obligation Meeting prior to starting the program, with the program director.

Continuing Eligibility Requirement

Students must maintain an overall academic GPA of 3.0 or better with at least a “B” in all major courses and continue to make progress in the program to remain eligible for the scholarship. Students will be required to continue employment with their school district.

Post-Graduation Requirements

Upon graduation, funded students must sign an OSEP exit service obligation agreement indicating the total amount of funds received by the scholar through the grant and the total number of years of service expected to complete the OSEP Service Agreement. Reporting and tracking are coordinated at the federal level.

FAQs

When is the deadline(s) for applying for the OSEP grant Program?

April 1, 2024

I live out of state; will this negatively affect my application for admission?

The program is a Massachusetts licensure program, and all field-based experiences, including the pre-practicum and practicum, MUST be completed within a Massachusetts Public School or a Massachusetts Chapter 766 Approved School.

In addition, to be eligible for a Massachusetts Special Education Initial Educator License, individuals must pass all required Massachusetts Educator Tests for Licensure (MTEL) for their specific licensure area(s).

What are the requirements of the OSEP Service Obligation?

Under the OSEP Service Agreement, scholars receiving federal funds under the OSEP Grant (325K FY 23) are required to serve in the field of special education in a full-time position for a period of two years for each academic year in which assistance was received.

Service within the field of Special Education includes:

At least 51 percent of the infants, toddlers, and children to whom the individual provides services are receiving special education, related services, or early intervention services from the individual;
The individual spends at least 51 percent of his or her time providing special education, related services, or early intervention services to infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities.

What is IDEA?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This is our federal law protecting the rights of students with disabilities and their families.

Can I receive funding for summer classes?

If an individual meets the requirements for financial need, funding will be available every semester within the program as long as the student is in good academic standing. An academic year includes three (3) semesters: Fall, Spring, and Summer.

Will the grant cover the cost of my textbooks?

Yes, the grant can cover the cost of textbooks.

If I’m turned down for the grant one semester, can I reapply the next year?

Yes, you may reapply for the next year.

What happens if I don’t complete my degree within two years?

Bay Path University works closely with each student to ensure they have the resources to be successful and complete the program.

How can the recipient locate employment opportunities that will fulfill the payback agreement?

Service within the field of Special Education includes:

At least 51 percent of the infants, toddlers, and children to whom the individual provides services are receiving special education, related services, or early intervention services from the individual;
The individual spends at least 51 percent of his or her time providing special education, related services, or early intervention services to infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities.

This can occur in a Massachusetts Public School and/or an approved Massachusetts Chapter 766 School enrolling individuals served under IDEA.

Disclaimer

The contents of this document were developed under a grant from the Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.