(1) A teacher may apply to the department for a grant. The department shall not prioritize a grant based upon the school where the applicant teaches.

(2) A teacher is eligible to apply for:

(a) A retention one grant of two thousand five hundred dollars if the teacher has signed a contract to complete such teacher's second complete school year of full-time employment as a teacher at a Nebraska school in school year 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26, or 2026-27;

(b) A retention two grant of two thousand five hundred dollars if the teacher has signed a contract to complete such teacher's fourth complete school year of full-time employment as a teacher at a Nebraska school in school year 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26, or 2026-27;

(c) A retention three grant of two thousand five hundred dollars if the teacher has signed a contract to complete such teacher's sixth complete school year of full-time employment as a teacher at a Nebraska school in school year 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26, or 2026-27; and

(d)(i) A high-need retention grant of five thousand dollars if on or after June 2, 2023, a teacher:

(A) Obtains an endorsement in special education, mathematics, science, technology, or dual credit; and

(B)(I) For an application submitted prior to April 17, 2024, signs a contract to complete a school year of full-time employment as a teacher at a Nebraska school in school year 2024-25, 2025-26, or 2026-27; or

(II) For an application submitted on or after April 17, 2024, signs a contract to complete a school year of full-time employment as a teacher to teach in such endorsement area at a Nebraska school in school year 2024-25, 2025-26, or 2026-27.

(ii) A teacher shall only be eligible to receive one high-need retention grant.