The Rural and Underserved Educator Inventive Program (RUEIP) is for educators teaching in rural and/or underserved schools. Eligible educators may receive direct repayment of educational loans or reimbursement of eligible educational expenses such as additional degrees, career technical certifications, professional development or other appropriate expenses.

Eligibility

An Idaho educator is eligible for the program if:

1. Full-time (1.0 FTE) as an Instructional and/or Pupil Service Staff Member (administrators, part-time, and classified staff are ineligible), and
2. Standard Certified (hold a 5-year renewable standard certificate), and
3. Employed in an eligible Idaho school district or charter school, and
   • The school is within a rural district per Idaho Code § 33-319, or
   • The school received Title I-A funding
4. At the time of application, has a federal educational loan with an unpaid balance of at least one thousand dollars ($1,000) OR at least one thousand dollars ($1,000) in eligible educational expenses.
   • To qualify, the federal loan must be in the applicants name only and not be in default.
   • Educational expenses must be from July 1, 2022, or later and eligible pursuant to Idaho Code 33-65.

Awards

In any fiscal year, the number of individuals who will receive an award is dependent upon the appropriation from the Legislature.

The total incentive award is as follows:

1. One thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) for the first year;
2. Two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) for the second year;
3. Three thousand five hundred dollars ($3,500) for the third year;
4. Four thousand five hundred dollars ($4,500) for the fourth year.

Funding distribution prioritization

RUEIP funds will be distributed in the following order:

1. Federal education loans
2. Eligible educational expenses representing coursework, certifications, and professional development
3. Other eligible educational expenses

The RUEIP Scoring Rubric will be used to create the order of payment within these categories. The reimbursements of other eligible educational expenses, such as technology, shall be limited to average market value of the item type relative to its use.

New Applicants Cohort 5

Documentation and information needed to complete the application:

• EDUID 
• LEA # and Superintendent Name
• For loan repayment applications, proof of the applicant’s total unpaid accumulated education loan debt
• For eligible expense applications, a Verification of Eligible Educational Expenses spreadsheet including item names, dates of purchase, amounts, and payment documentation (receipts/invoices).

Have more questions? Visit our RUEIP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.

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Returning Cohort Members

Each year, educators receiving funds through the Rural and Underserved Educator Incentive Program are required to provide updated information through the Annual Verification Process. This process is designed to ensure ongoing eligibility and accurate payments towards loans and educational expenses.

Annual Verification Deadlines

• Loan repayment: December 31, 2026
• Educational expense reimbursements: March 31, 2027

Documentation needed for Annual Verification

• Reviewr Application Login Information 
• LEA# (if it has changed)
• For loan repayment, federal education loan information, including the name of the loan servicer, account number, and remaining balance.
• For eligible educational expense reimbursements: Verification of Eligible Educational Expenses spreadsheet including item names, dates of purchase, amounts, and payment documentation (receipts/invoices)

Annual Verification