Teacher Education Fellowships & Financial Aid

How to Finance Your Passion to Teach: Fellowships and Financial Aid Opportunities

 

Graduate education is a significant investment in your future - an investment of time, effort and enthusiasm as well as money. The good news is that there are ample aid opportunities to help finance your passion to teach...and many of these opportunities can be combined!

Applicants are urged to make a one-on-one admission consultation that includes a personalized financial aid assessment. Schedule a personalized financial aid assessment.

Claremont Graduate University awards institutional aid on the basis of merit to support distinguished students in their programs of study.

Federal aid, in the form of loans and work study, is awarded on the basis of financial need. In addition, students may actively seek opportunities for financial support which might be available to them from foundations and other institutions.

Additional information about financial aid is available from the Claremont Graduate University Office of Student Financing, tel (909) 621-8337.

Opportunities for Preliminary Credential and MA Program

  • Fully-Paid Internship. Most of our candidates are able to secure paid teaching positions in Phase II: The Internship/Residency Phase of the program. As an intern, these candidates are working as fully responsible, fully-salaried teachers in area K-12 schools. Beginning annual salaries for teachers range from approximately $38,000 to $52,000. While it is the candidate's responsibility to secure an internship position, CGU will aid the candidate in this process.
  • Scholarship-Based Residency Program. There are some scholarships available that enable candidates to enter the program as a resident instead of as an intern. These scholarships are targeted for candidates seeking to earn a multiple-subject credential (to work in an elementary school setting) or a single-subject credential in social studies (to work in a middle- or high-school as a social studies teacher) and are designed to provide assistance with living expenses while they complete Phase II: The Internship/Residency Phase.
  • TEIP's Excellence, Equity, & Integrity Award is a CGU Teacher Education fellowship that provides assistance to students who have demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence, equity and integrity in their lives. Criteria examined include scholastic achievement, community service, commitment to diversity, and other professional accomplishments. All students who apply for institutional aid will be automatically considered for this fellowship. All students who request aid and are admitted will receive a fellowships ranging from 10% to 40% with programs in Math, Science, and Special Education having additional opportunities.
  • BA/MA Opportunities for students from the Claremont Colleges. All graduates of the Claremont College accepted into the Preliminary Credential and MA Program will receive a 20%-40% fellowship. Graduates of the Claremont Colleges can also transfer in up to 8 units of undergraduate work into the Preliminary Credential and MA Program. (Yes, the same units can apply for both one's undergraduate program and CGU's Teacher Education programs!) This results in savings, both of time and money. Specific 5C classes involved. Contact CGU's Teacher Education at 909/621-8076 for a list of eligible 5C courses.
  • Teach Grants. These federal grants offer up to $8,000 in tuition support for select candidates working towards a math, science, special education or foreign language credential. Grantees are required to teach for four years in a designated low-income school or the grant is converted to a Stafford Loan.
  • Need Based Residency Program. Candidates who do not secure an internship by October 31st can apply for financial aid reallocation to receive a need-based residency living stipend.
  • The NSF/Noyce fellowship is designed for academically distinguished mathematics and science graduates who are interested in teaching. Students have the opportunity to begin their teacher preparation courses toward the end of their undergraduate program to save education costs and time. Noyce fellowships range from $20,000 - $40,000. Service requirements apply.
  • Math for America (MFA) is for candidates with a strong background in math who are committed to teaching math at the middle- and/or high-school level. This amazing opportunity includes full tuition, professional development support, and a significant stipend ($86,000 in stipends over five years).
  • PULSE Grant for Special Education. Candidates who work towards an education specialist credential working with youth can receive $10,000 per year towards their credential work. Service requirements apply.
  • Minority Fellowships. These fellowships are specifically designed for competitive candidates from populations that are under-represented in our teaching force.

Loan Forgiveness Programs

  • Stafford Loan Forgiveness. Stafford Loans provide $5,000+ in loan forgiveness. Math, Science, and Special Education teachers can have $17,500 in loans forgiven. Recipients need to commit to teaching in a designated low-income school for five years. The designated loan amount is forgiven in one lump sum at the end of the qualifying five year period. Please read the website carefully as service and eligibility requirements apply. This website includes a search engine to help candidates identify qualified designated low-income schools.
  • APLE. The California Loan Assumption Program will pay back between $11,000 and $19,000 of Stafford Loans in exchange for years of service. This program is currently active but may be in jeopardy for future candidates.
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSL). The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 established a public service loan forgiveness program. This program discharges any remaining debt after 10 years of full-time employment in public service. The borrower must have made 120 payments as part of the Direct Loan program in order to obtain this benefit. Only payments made on or after October 1, 2007 count toward the required 120 monthly payments. (Borrowers may consolidate into Direct Lending in order to qualify for this loan forgiveness program starting July 1, 2008.) **HINT: The only way to have a loan balance paid after ten years of on-time payments is to lower your payment by utilizing the "income based" loan repayment process through your lender. They base your payments on your current income which should increase the length it takes to repay your loan. This would reduce your payment to a more reasonable amount, and after ten years of on-time payments, the balance would be forgiven.
  • Perkins Loan Forgiveness. This option will only work if you have Perkins Loans that have not been consolidated. You can have 100% of your loan forgiven over a five year period of qualifying service (described on the website). Defering payment would effectively cancel all principal and interest.

Loans

Claremont Graduate University participates in the federal Perkins Loan Program and the federal Stafford Student Loan Program. These funds are available based on financial need as determined by the federal guidelines. For students who do not qualify for the need-based programs, other loan sources are available, including the federal Unsubsidized Stafford Student Loan and Grad Plus Loans.

To apply for loans, fill out a FAFSA. online. Call the Teacher Education Department at 909/621-8076 if you are unsure which year to fill out.

If you would like individual financial counseling to see how all of the above programs can work together to help you finance your passion to teach, please contact the Teacher Education Department. Schedule a personalized financial aid assessment.

Other Opportunities

  • Direct to Clear. Candidates pursuing their preliminary credential plus MA in Education can double count one of the MA electives towards their Induction Program.
  • Induction Program. All applicants receive a 25% tuition discount on graduate credit in the Induction Program.
  • Autism Certificate. $12,000 fellowships available. Service requirements apply.

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