Financial Resources for Teacher Training
The following programs and grants are designed to help you become a teacher.
Teach for America
Teach for America provides financial assistance to teacher candidates who meet our bar for admission in up to two ways. First, we provide stipends in support of covering the costs of initial teacher certification and testing fees, as well as to support members in their participation in our mandatory, unpaid, summer training requirements. The amount available in a stipend depends on the region of the state a member will teach in, as well as their Pell status. Second, as a member of the AmeriCorps national service network, members may be eligible for AmeriCorps Education Awards. These awards can be applied towards past federally-backed student loans or future educational expenses and are held in federal trust until all program requirements are satisfied. AmeriCorps Education Awards are subject to federal regulations and annual federal budget approvals and Teach For America cannot guarantee the availability of these awards to all candidates.
Teacher Loan Forgiveness
Teacher Loan Forgiveness - The Taxpayer-Teacher Protection Act authorizes up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness for eligible teachers.
Grow-Your-Own Programs
Some Texas school districts offer grow-your-own programs that provide financial aid to students who agree to return to their school district as teachers after graduation from college. High school students interested in teaching should contact their school district.
G.I. Bill Benefits for Test Fees
The Texas Workforce Commission has approved the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) to allow veterans and other eligible persons to receive reimbursement for the cost of certification tests. This approval has been made effective, retroactively, as of March 1, 2001.
The veteran or other eligible person must submit two forms to the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Regional Office, in Muskogee, OK.
- Application for Licensing and Certification Testing Fee Reimbursement
- VA Form 22-1990- Application for VA Education Benefits (for Veterans) or VA Form 22-5490- Application for Survivor's and Dependents Educational Assistance
To obtain these forms and further information contact the Texas Workforce Commission Veterans Education office at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, (512) 463-3168.
G.I. Bill Benefits for Educator Preparation Program Costs
Veterans Education Benefits can be used for teacher certification programs. The program must receive approval from the Texas Workforce Commission Veterans Affairs Office. The program assigns a staff person to process the required forms to request VA funding. The amount of money paid to eligible veterans varies, depending on the type of GI Bill that they have and the type of program they are completing. If veterans have remaining GI Bill eligibility, they should ask the program director or university VA office for details on applying for benefits.
Texas Workforce Commission
The Texas Workforce Commission offers special programs and incentives to help people become and remain teachers.
Other Financial Aid
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board administers a variety of grants for attending college. You may also qualify for other financial aid, student loans, or scholarships. Contact your teacher training program for additional information.