financing alternative certification

If you are interested in pursuing an alternative certification program, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance in the form of grants or loans. There are also special programs available to retired military personnel and to persons who are willing to teach in high needs school districts. A brief description of typically available student aid is provided. For a more complete list of the qualifications for each program, please check the Web site for each individual program. Qualifications may change based on funding.

TROOPS TO TEACHERS: A Department of Defense program that helps eligible military personnel begin a new career as a teacher. It provides up to $5K to help pay for teacher certification costs or a bonus of up to $10K to teach in a high-need school.
www.proudtoserveagain.com

VETERANS BENEFITS: These are educational benefits administered by the Education Service. Military personnel can speak to a Veterans Benefits Counselor toll-free at 1-888-GI-BILL. All information and forms can be found on the VA Web site at
http://www.gibill.va.gov/education/benefits.htm

These VA programs include but are not limited to the following:

MONTGOMERY GI BILL: The MGIB program provides up to 36 months of education benefits to be used for degree and certificate programs payable for 10 years following your release from active duty. There is a similar bill for members of the Selected Reserve.

TUITION ASSISTANCE “TOP-UP:" An amendment to the Montgomery GI Bill that permits VA to pay an additional benefit that can be equal to the difference between the total cost of a college course and the amount of Tuition Assistance that is paid by the military for the course.

VETERANS EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (VEAP): VEAP is available if you first entered active duty between January 1, 1977 and June 20, 1985 and you elected to make contributions from your military pay to this program. Your contributions are matched on a $2 for $1 basis. The money can be used for degree and certificate programs.

FEDERAL PELL GRANTS: Certain students can receive federal aid in the form of a Pell Grant when enrolled in a post-baccalaureate teacher certification or licensing program.
www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/studentguide/2001-2/pellgrant.html-11k

FEDERAL PERKINS LOANS: A low interest loan based on financial need available to students enrolled in an alternative program at a participating school. All or part of the loan may be cancelled for qualifying teacher service.
www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/studentguide/2001-2/perkins.html-16k

FEDERAL FAMILY EDUCATION LOANS AND DIRECT STAFFORD LOANS: Loans either subsidized or unsubsidized are available to a student taking courses toward teacher certification. The loans are limited to $5500 yearly for subsidized and $5000 yearly for unsubsidized. All or part of the loan may be cancelled based on teacher service.
www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/studentguide/2002-3/stafford.html-27k

Besides Federal funding, many states offer financial aid programs and incentives to teachers who provide service in qualifying high needs areas. Interested teacher candidates should contact the financial aid director at the department of education in their state to receive information about financial aid in the state where they live. The Web site for the U.S. Department of Education lists this information for each state and provides a link to state Web sites. This information is found in the Education Resource Organizations Directory (EROD).
http://wdcrobcol01.ed.gov/Programs/EROD/org_list.cfm?category_ID=SHE

Many district-based or regional service area certification programs have financial assistance available for defraying the costs of participation in an alternative certification program. Aid may also be available for programs offered through colleges and universities. Contact the alternative certification coordinator to learn the specifics of each program.