Q:
What is a service obligation?
A: A service obligation pertains to EIA Project students who receive an educational stipend. It is the work that will be required of you when
you graduate and become employed by the Department of Education
(DOE) as an Educational Interpreter or Educational Paraprofessional. The number of years you are required
to work for the DOE depends on the number of credits for which
you have received stipend money. Typically, a full-time
student who accepts stipend funding for one full academic
year or a part-time student who accumulates up to 30 credits
will owe 2 years of service.
Q:
What if I do not fulfill my service obligation?
A: If you do not complete the program or fulfill your service
obligation after graduating from the program, you will be
required to pay back the total amount of stipend that
was awarded to you. If you complete part of the service obligation,
you would then be responsible to pay back the amount equivalent
to the number of service years remaining.
Q:
When can I begin my service obligation?
A: If you are currently a DOE employee working with children
with special needs, you are eligible to begin counting your
current employment toward your service obligation after you
have completed one academic year or 30 credits in the EIA
project. Otherwise, you will begin your service obligation
once you graduate and become employed by the DOE working with students with special needs.
Q:
If I have other questions, whom should I contact?
A: Any questions about program requirements, applications, registration, stipends, or service obligation, should be directed to the EIA Project counselor. You can contact her at eiahelp@hawaii.edu .
