Viva88

Skip to main content
Religious and Independent School Support

Religious and Independent School Support

Mathematics, Science, & Technology (MST) FAQS

MST Eligibility

1. Who is eligible to apply for reimbursement?

Please refer to the MST Guidance document, page # 3.

2. What grade levels are eligible?

Please refer to the MST Guidance document, page # 3.

3. Are 853 and 4201 schools eligible for reimbursement through the MST grant?

Please refer to the MST Guidance document, page # 3.

4. Are for-profit schools eligible for reimbursement through the MST grant?

Please refer to the MST Guidance document, page # 3.

5. Is a teacher with an initial certificate who is not currently enrolled in a master’s degree program an eligible teacher?

Yes,if the teacher meets the criteria for an initial certificatein accordance with Part 80 of the Regulations of the Commissioner and meets the other eligibility requirements, the teacher is eligible as an individual certified to teach in NYS pursuant to of the Education Law.

6. Criterion number 3 states an eligible teacher is categorized as one that “holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, science, technology or education and is currently enrolled in a Master's or Ph.D. program in Mathematics, Science, Technology or Education within five years from the date of April 10, 2020, or the employment start date with the religious or independent school”. What does this mean?

The MST grant provides reimbursement for those currently enrolled and steadily making progress through specific academic programs. The 5-year lookback and enrollment requirements exclude applicants who may opt to take courses at a casual pace or for those who audit a course.

7. When does the Teacher's certification have to be valid? Can we seek reimbursement for a teacher who will be certified as of September?

When choosing the eligibility category for certified teacher, the teacher must hold a current valid certification to be considered eligible.

If the teacher is certified at the time they are providing instruction, is employed by the school during the 2024-2025 school year, and fits all the other eligibility criteria, the school can apply for reimbursement. If a school is seeking reimbursement for a teacher who is not currently certified, they must meet the other options for eligibility.

8. Are there any subcategories of mathematics, science, technology or education in which a master’s degree or Ph.D. would qualify an individual as an eligible teacher? (i.e. library science, biology, engineering, special education)

9. If a teacher has a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field, but has a master’s in education is this sufficient to be considered as a math, science, or technology teacher?

Yes,if (1) the individual is certified to teach in NYS (certified to teach in Viva88pursuant to; (2) Teaches a grant related subject using curricula that support the Viva88Learning Standards; and (3) is employed by a religious or independent school.

10. If a teacher is having difficulty obtaining proof of their graduate degree. Would proof/certification of graduation from the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) be acceptable for the purpose of this grant?

Yes, the Office of Teaching Initiatives provides a website referencing acceptable vendors for US degree/transcript, including . This is the same Viva88Education Department (Viva88) office that maintains the “approved” foreign credential list that we use. .

11. If a teacher holds a master’s degree in mathematics, science, technology, or education from an international higher education institution and does not meet any of the other eligibility options, is the teacher an eligible teacher? What do I need to do prior to submitting their application?

A teacher holding a master’s degree or Ph.D. in mathematics, science, technology, or education from a non-U.S. institution may be an eligible teacher. Applicants who completed their education outside of the United States must submit a foreign credential report from an acceptable vendor. Viva88’s Office of Teaching Initiatives (OTI) provides a. ORISS is not the custodian of this list and defers to OTI for maintenance and updates.

12. If the name on the teacher’s certificate or other documentation is not the same as the name on the school’s documentation due to marriage or other reasons, does the school need to submit proof of the teacher’s name change?

In such circumstances, the school should submit official documentation of the teacher’s legal name change from the teacher or a notarized statement regarding the name change from the teacher along with the application. Please log in to your TEACH account and request a for no fee.

13. Will the time spent at home for preparations for the lesson, or checking the tests be considered in reimbursement?

No. Reimbursement is calculated based on the percentage of time the teacher teaches mathematics, science and/or technology courses during the school day.

14. Is there a minimum number of students that must be in a class?

No, provided the course meets the required standards.

15. Are schools automatically eligible if they follow the criteria?

Each submission will be reviewed by the ORISS staff for eligibility. Please note that, if the total eligible reimbursements requested exceed the $73 million appropriation, then each applicant will only be reimbursed in an amount equal to the percentage each such applicant represents to the total of all applications submitted.

16. Would a submission of curriculum and course descriptions a school plans to teach for another school year, be accepted for eligibility?

No, the curriculum needs to correspond with the courses taught in the 2024-2025 school year.

Non-Secular Instruction

17. What is meant by secular and non-secular instruction?

For purposes of this program, the term “secular” means instruction that is not related to or does not involve religious or spiritual matters; and non-secular means instruction relating to or involving religious or spiritual matters.

18. The application page requires the religious or independent school to certify that the teacher does not provide non-secular instruction in any capacity. Are teachers who provide non-secular instruction eligible for reimbursement?

No. The MST program does not provide reimbursement if a teacher also provides non-secular/religious instruction in any capacity.

19. May a religious or independent school seek reimbursement for an eligible teacher who teaches religious studies outside of his/her employment with the religious or independent school?

Education Law §3037 prohibits reimbursement to the religious or independent school for otherwise eligible teachers who provide instruction in mathematics, science, or technology if such teachers also provide non-secular instruction in any capacity. However, if a religious or independent schoolteacher engages in non-secular activitiesoutside of their employmentwith the religious or independent school, such employee is still eligible if theydo notprovide any non-secular instructionin any capacity in relation to their employment with the religious or independent school seeking reimbursement.

20. If a teacher works in the public school system and then after they complete their teaching day in their public school, they transition to the religious or independent school to teach MST eligible courses, are they eligible for reimbursement for their religious or independent school teaching salary?

Yes, if the teacher meets all other eligibility criteria.

Reimbursement

21. How many teachers can be reimbursed from each school?

Education Law §3037(2)(c)does not limit the number of teachers that can be reimbursed. However, Education Law §3037(2)(c) provides that, in the event that the total eligible reimbursements requested exceed the $73 million appropriation, each applicant will only be reimbursed in an amount equal to the percentage each such applicant represents to the total of all applications submitted. Schools whose eligible teacher salaries exceed their reimbursement amount must support those expenses on their own and will not receive additional reimbursement.

22. If a teacher teaches in more than one religious or independent school, does each school submit an application if requesting reimbursement for the same teacher?

Yes. Reimbursement requests pertain solely to the school that is submitting the application for reimbursement of its own eligible teachers.

23. Do math, science and technology teachers who teach such subjects remotely "qualify" for reimbursement if the instructor otherwise meets the eligibility criteria?

Education Law §3037 does not prescribe the manner in which the instruction must be delivered. However, please note that religious and independent schools are only eligible to seek reimbursement for the salaries (or a portion thereof) of such eligible teachers employed by the school.

24. How will reimbursements be calculated and how will we know the total amount of our reimbursement?

Reimbursement request forms received by Viva88 by August 1, 2025, will be reviewed by Viva88 staff. Viva88 will calculate the total approved requests and proportionate shares, the totals will be posted to the ORISS website, and a notification will be sent out via the religious and independent school listserv.

In accordance with Education Law §3037(2)(b), reimbursements will be calculated based on Viva88’s data regarding average comparable teacher salaries and personal services, per subject area, of public-school teachers in the school district in which the religious or independent schools are located, multiplied by the percentage of full-time equivalent secular instructional hours completed in the religious or independent school day per subject area (mathematics, science, and technology).

If the total reimbursements requested exceed the $73 million appropriation, then each applicant will only be reimbursed in an amount equal to the percentage each such applicant represents to the total of all applications submitted.

25. Will each school who applies receive the full amount requested?

Please refer to the MST Guidance document, page # 6.

26. Is the grant reimbursement based on the current year or for the coming school year?

Reimbursement is for eligible teacher’s salaries who were employed during the 2024-2025 school year and taught mathematics, science, and technology courses.

27. How will the comparable salaries be computed for a religious or independent high school located in a school district without a high school?

Reimbursements will be calculated based on Viva88’s data regarding average comparable teacher salaries and personal services, per subject area, of public-school teachers in the school district in which the religious or independent schools are located, however that district is configured.

28. If the reimbursements have to be prorated due to the requests exceeding the $73 million allocation, will the prorated payment be per teacher or per school?

In the event that the applications for reimbursement under this section exceed the appropriation available for this program, then each applicant shall only be reimbursed an amount equal to the percentage that each such applicant represents to the total of all applications submitted (per teacher).

29. If the average comparable public-school teacher salary in the public school district is higher than the religious or independent school teacher salary, will the school be reimbursed the public-school average or the actual salary we paid?

Reimbursement for eligible teachers shall be the average comparable teacher salary and personal service, per subject area, of public-school teachers in the school district in which such religious or independent schools are located, multiplied by the percentage of full time equivalent secular instructional hours completed in the school day per subject area.

Applications & Submissions

30. What is the deadline for submission?

Please refer to the MST Guidance document, page # 7.

31. Will incomplete or inaccurate applications be reviewed?

Applications must be submitted withallrequired signatures and documentation, including one copy of the school’s master schedule. When selecting an eligibility choice for each teacher, there is a checklist for the required documentary evidence. Please also refer to page five (5) of the guidance document for additional details regarding the required documents. ORISS staff will work with the religious and independent schools regarding an incomplete or inaccurate submission.

32. Where can we find the guidance document, and additional grant information?

The 2024-25 Guidance documents, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and other related documentation can be found in the of theFunding Opportunitiessection of the ORISS webpage.

33. Will we receive notification that our reimbursement submission form has been received?

No. We will not notify schools of receipt.Pleasedo notreach out to us to make sure your application was received prior to the deadline. This will only slow the intake process. Submitting via the is the best way to guarantee application receipt.

34. Can we apply for this for every teacher in our building who meets the criteria or only one teacher?

Yes. The law does not state a limit of the number of eligible teachers from each school.

35. Do we submit one application form per school or one application form per teacher?

Please refer to the MST Guidance document, page # 7.

36. Where and in what format do we submit the reimbursement form?

It is highly recommended and preferred that schools submit their complete application (form and accompanying documentation) via the SED Monitoring Business Portal.

For complete submission instructions including information on all formats we accept, please see Appendix B of our MST (Year 8) 2024-25 Guidance.

37. Are all the documents listed in each category of the reimbursement request form required?

Yes. Religious and independent schools must submit the applicable documentary evidence with the Religious and Independent School Reimbursement Request Form for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Teachers in Religious and Independent Schools. Please refer to the guidance document for additional detail.

38. What evidence do we need to provide to show that the curricula support the NYS Learning Standards? Are course descriptions sufficient? Are there resources available?

Please refer to the MST Documentary Evidence table, Course Descriptions section.

39. Is a copy of the teaching certificate, or a diploma sufficient?

Yes, a diploma is sufficient if it states the certification area or degree type.

40. If the staffing stayed the same, do the teachers applying need to re-submit their official transcript that should already be on file with Viva88?

The application must include at least a copy of the transcript; it does not have to be original/official.

41. Our employment agreements are electronic, through DocuSign. Are we able to submit printed DocuSign agreements, or would we have to have the Head of School and teacher manually re-sign the electronically signed versions?

It is not necessary to manually re-sign agreements that already contain electronic signatures. ORISS will accept electronic signatures.

42. The directions for the grant state that the “school leader” needs to sign the employment agreement. Does that mean the principal or the superintendent, or can our HR person sign the agreement?

Yes. The employment agreement must be signed by a person who is involved in the hiring process at the school level. This could be a superintendent, principal, human resources representative, or someone with a similar administrative title. School leader titles may vary from school to school.

Schedules

43. What is the difference between a school’s master schedule and the teacher's schedule?

Please refer to the MST Documentary Evidence table, andSchool Master Schedule Resourcein theirTeacher Schedule sections.

44. What details need to be included on a school’s master schedule?

The master schedule must contain the following information:

  • Every course taught at the school (including those ineligibles for MST funding), specifying the course name, grade level, time & location.
  • Every teacher teaching at the school (even those not on the MST application), identified by full name. If the schedule table does not permit the use of full names, and initials are used, please provide a connecting Key.
  • All grades enrolled in the school building.
  • Schedules for the entire school year, including all terms/quarters.
  • The master schedule must match the individual schedule.
45. What details need to be included on a teacher’s individual schedule?

The teacher schedule must contain the following information:

  • Every course and responsibility of this teacher (including those ineligibles for MST funding), specifying the course name, grade level, time & location.
  • Classes included on the individual schedule must also appear on the master schedule to be reimbursable.
46. Does every class within the master schedule need to align with the NYS Learning Standards?

No, only the classes within in the master schedule for which the school is requesting reimbursement.

47. As we are only using secular instruction hours, must the master schedule include the whole school day, including religious studies, or is it to only include the secular study segment of the day?

The master schedule must encompass the entire school schedule, even studies not eligible for MST.

48. In what format should the master schedule be submitted? These schedules are quite large.

The master schedules can be submitted by using the , using any of the file attachments noted in Appendix B of the MST (Year 8) 2024-25 Guidance, using a flash drive or in paper. If the schools need to submit using an alternative method, please contact the Office of Religious and Independent School Support atMST-ORISS@nysed.gov to discuss further.

49. My school temporarily closed or switched to remote instruction due to an emergency. What schedules would I submit?

If a school closed or went to remote learning temporarily due to some kind of emergency, please send the original master and teacher schedules.

For additional questions, please email .