THE CHANCELLOR'S DOCTORAL INCENTIVE
PROGRAM
Frequently Asked Questions
- My doctoral program is a year-round program. Can I get funding as a full-time student during the summer?
For those enrolled in year-round programs, you can submit a student status verification form and borrow funds over the summer. However, the maximum you can borrow in any fiscal year (running from July 1 to June 30) remains $10,000.
- After completing my coursework, can I borrow funds even if I am not registered as a full-time student?
Yes, students who have completed their coursework and are engaged in full-time study, research or writing may continue within a five-year period to borrow funds up to the $30,000 maximum. In such cases, verification of satisfactory progress toward completion of the doctoral program must be submitted by the department chair or dissertation advisor for each term that funds are requested.
- How long can loan payments be deferred while I am completing my doctorate?
The promissory note states that interest begins to accrue and repayments commence "12 months after I cease being a full-time student at an accredited institution of post secondary education; 12 months after I complete a maximum 2 years as a postdoctoral fellow; or 5 years after advancement to candidacy with annual certification that I am making satisfactory progress; whichever occurs last.
- How can I find out about job opportunities in the CSU?
There are several sources of information regarding faculty openings in the CSU. Your CSU faculty advisor may be aware of hiring activity on campus as well as neighboring CSU campuses. CSU campus employment information may be accessed through the CSU systemwide home page at http://csucareers.calstate.edu/. This page contains links to individual CSU campuses.
Campus officials, such as the Associate Vice President (or Dean) of Faculty Affairs and the Affirmative Action Director, also keep abreast of campus hiring activity and department chairs in your field of study. Campuses advertise positions in leading disciplinary journals or in the Chronicle of Higher Education.
- What does the CDIP administration do to help recipients obtain faculty positions?
The CDIP administration publishes a Directory of Recipients each year that lists your name and academic specialization, by discipline, and personal information that you authorize us to publish. The Directory is distributed to all campus academic deans and to other administrators involved in the hiring process. Some of these administrators use the Directory to seek out candidates for openings on their campus; others provide information from the Directory to chairs of departments conducting searches for faculty.
- If I teach at a CSU campus, what qualifies me for forgiveness?
You will be eligible for forgiveness only after you have earned your degree. You must teach an average of 15 "weighted teaching units" or more per term over an academic year to earn 20% forgiveness. You must teach an average of 7.5 "weighted teaching units" or more per term over an academic year to earn 10% forgiveness. Teaching in summer or other special sessions can be used to supplement units earned in the regular academic year.
- What are the tax consequences of having a loan cancelled?
The Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program is not authorized to provide any advice regarding taxation. When you have obtained a doctoral degree and qualify for CDIP loan cancellation for teaching, the CSU is required by the State Controller's Office to report the cancelled CDIP loan principal and interest on the remaining principal as "additional income" and to withhold taxes on such income.
- How have previous years CDIP participants fared?
As of August 2006, 829 loan recipients reported completing their doctoral studies. Among the 829 who earned their degrees, 495 (59%) have subsequently obtained employment in CSU instructional faculty positions .
- The California State University does not guarantee in any way employment to loan recipients.
