Sec. 86.3. Processing and approval of applications

Applications for grant awards received by the department from eligible teachers shall be evaluated and processed by the department in the following manner:

(a) An eligible teacher who, between April 1, 1999 and November 30, 1999, inclusive, submits a properly completed application to the department and a properly completed application for national board certification to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, shall be awarded a grant pursuant to Education Law, section 3004-a and this Part, to the extent that funds are available, in the order in which his or her application is received by the department. If an eligible teacher's application to the national board is made prior to such teacher's application to the department, as indicated by postmark or other proof of delivery, the department shall consider such earlier date as the date of receipt by the department for evaluation and approval purposes.

(b) An eligible teacher who, between December 1, 1999 and June 30, 2000, inclusive, submits a properly completed application to the department and a properly completed application for national board certification to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, shall be a candidate to receive a grant award pursuant to Education Law, section 3004-a and this Part. If the number of candidates does not exceed the availability of funds, all such candidates shall be awarded a grant pursuant to Education Law, section 3004-a and this Part. If the number of candidates exceeds the availability of funds, the department shall conduct a lottery of all such candidates on July 1, 2000. All candidates selected by such lottery shall be awarded a grant pursuant to Education Law, section 3004-a and this Part to the extent that funds are available.

(c) An eligible teacher who, on or after July 1, 2000, submits a properly completed application to the department and a properly completed application for national board certification to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, may be eligible to receive a grant award pursuant to Education Law, section 3004-a and this Part, to the extent that funds are available, subject to the following procedures:

(1) An eligible teacher who, between July 1st and November 30th, inclusive, submits a properly completed application to the department and a properly completed application for national board certification to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, shall be awarded a grant pursuant to Education Law, section 3004-a and this Part, to the extent that funds are available, in the order in which his or her application is received by the department.

(2) An eligible teacher who, between December 1st and June 30th of the next succeeding year, inclusive, submits a properly completed application to the department and a properly completed application for national board certification to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, shall be a candidate to receive a grant award pursuant to Education Law, section 3004-a and this Part. The department shall conduct a lottery of all such candidates on July 1st of the next succeeding year. All candidates selected by such lottery shall be awarded a grant pursuant to Education Law, section 3004-a and this Part to the extent that funds are available.