Section 3. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Agency." The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.
"Designated Commonwealth urban or rural public school district." An eligible urban or rural public school district which the secretary has certified as having a need for teacher loan forgiveness assistance because of difficulty in attracting qualified teachers.
"Eligible rural public school district." A public school district that has a population of less than 300 per square mile and either:
(1) more than 8% of the pupils in average daily
membership are low-income pupils as defined in section
2502.11 of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949; or
(2) the market value/income aid ratio, as defined in
section 2501 of the Public School Code of 1949, is greater
than seven-tenths. This definition shall also apply to an intermediate unit or area vocational-technical school if the composite data for all participating school districts meet the criteria specified herein.
"Eligible urban public school district." A public school district that has a population greater than 850 per square mile and either:
(1) more than 8% of the pupils in average daily
membership are low-income pupils as defined in section
2502.11 of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949; or
(2) the market value/income aid ratio, as defined in
section 2501 of the Public School Code of 1949, is greater
than seven-tenths. The term shall also apply to an intermediate unit or area vocational-technical school if the composite data for all participating school districts meet the criteria specified herein.
"Qualified applicant." A person who meets all of the following criteria:
(1) Is certified by the Department of Education to
teach.
(2) Is in the first year of full-time teaching.
(3) Is teaching at a Commonwealth-designated urban or
rural public school district or at a nonprofit nonpublic
school in such district at which students may fulfill
compulsory attendance requirements.
(4) Has borrowed through the agency-administered
Guaranteed Student Loan Programs.
"Secretary." The Secretary of Education of the Commonwealth.