Teacher Education Programs

Teach Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant

Overview:

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant is a federally funded program available to students who plan to begin a career in teaching. We offer the TEACH grant for secondary education with math, science and computer science disciplines. Eligible students may qualify for up to $4,000 each year, based on meeting program conditions. In exchange for this grant, a student must sign an Agreement to Serve (ATS) as a full-time teacher at certain low-income schools and within certain high-need fields for at least four academic years within eight years after completing (or ceasing enrollment) the course of study for which the candidate received the grant. Failure or refusal to carry out the obligations of this program will convert the grant(s) into a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan(s) with interest dated back to the time of disbursement.

Students must be seeking a bachelor’s or master’s degree in one of the following disciplines:

Mathematics

• Middle and Secondary Level math majors and endorsements.

Science, including, but not limited to, Computer Science

• Middle and Secondary level science majors and endorsements.
• Students receiving endorsements in Computer Science.

Eligibility:

Students must have a minimum 3.25 GPA, be enrolled in a TEACH-eligible degree-granting program at UIS and meet all minimum federal student aid eligibility requirements as demonstrated by submitting the FAFSA®. More information and details are available on the Federal Student Aid website.

Contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information. If a student is interested, we will work with the student and the School of Education to determine eligibility.

Apply:

Students can apply to TEACH grant by filling and submitting the application to UIS Office of Financial Assistance.

GOLDEN APPLE (GA) SCHOLARS PROGRAM

Overview:

The Golden Apple Scholars Program in Illinois is designed to prepare determined and driven college students for highly effective teaching careers in Illinois schools. This tuition assistance program targets bright high school graduates and first/second-year college students, particularly those aiming to teach in high-need schools across the state.

Eligibility and Application Process:

• The Golden Apple Foundation manages eligibility criteria, applications, and awards.
• Applicants must be enrolled in a teacher certification program or pursuing additional courses for Illinois State Board of Education approval.
• Program participants at the sophomore, junior, or senior level must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Teaching Commitment:

• Scholars commit to teaching for five years in an Illinois high-need school.
• The teaching commitment begins within two years of completing the degree or certificate program.
• Failure to fulfill the commitment results in the scholarship converting to a loan.

Loan Repayment Terms:

• If the teaching commitment is unmet, the recipient must repay the award, prorated based on the incomplete obligation, plus a 5% interest rate.
• Interest accrues from the date of the repayment obligation.
• Repayment must be completed within 10 years of the assistance converting to a loan.

Scholarship Amounts:

• Annual awards vary based on the Scholar's year in the program.
• Maximum annual award for 1st or 2nd-year Scholars: $2,500.
• Maximum annual award for 3rd, 4th, or 5th-year Scholars: $5,000.

Application Process:

• Interested students can apply directly to the Golden Apple Foundation through their online application portal.
• By participating in the Golden Apple Scholars Program, students not only receive financial assistance for their education but also commit to making a positive impact by teaching in high-need schools, contributing to the improvement of education in Illinois.

MINORITY TEACHERS OF ILLINOIS (MTI) SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Overview:

The MTI Scholarship Program is dedicated to encouraging academically talented minority students to pursue teaching careers in nonprofit Illinois preschools, elementary, and secondary schools. The program also aims to increase the availability of positive minority role models for minority children.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Available to minority students enrolled in a teacher education program, either undergraduate or graduate.
• Requires a one-year teaching commitment for each year the scholarship is received.
• Converts to a loan if the teaching commitment is not met.
• The maximum award amount is $7,500 per year.
• Can receive the scholarship for a maximum of 8 semesters or 12 quarters (4 years).
• Funds can be used for tuition, fees, room and board, or commuter charges.

MTI Eligibility:

To qualify for the MTI Scholarship, an applicant must:

• Be a minority student or a qualified bilingual minority applicant.
• Be a resident of Illinois.
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen or meet the "undocumented student" criteria of the Illinois RISE Act.
• Be a high school graduate or the recipient of a high school equivalency certificate.
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment at least half-time at an Illinois institution of higher education.
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a course of study leading to teacher licensure by the Illinois State Board of Education, including alternative teacher licensure.
• If already licensed to teach, be enrolled, or accepted for enrollment in a course of study leading to an additional teaching endorsement or a master’s degree in the academic field being taught.

Applying for the MTI Scholarship:

• MTI application is available in December each year.
• Priority application consideration date is March 31 before the academic year for which the scholarship is requested.
• Applicants must complete FAFSA® or Alternative Application by the priority consideration date.
• Re-application required each year to continue receiving the MTI Scholarship.
• ISAC acknowledges receipt of the application and identifies any additional needed information.

MTI Teaching Requirement:

• MTI recipients must teach full-time for one year for each academic year they receive the award.
• Teaching must be at a nonprofit Illinois public, private, or parochial preschool, elementary, or secondary school with at least 30% minority student enrollment (certified by ISBE).
• For qualified bilingual minority applicants, teaching can be in a transitional bilingual education program or a school with at least 20 English learner students in the same language classification.
• Teaching must start within one year after completing the program of study funded by the scholarship and continue until the teaching obligation is fulfilled.

Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver (SETTW) Program

Overview:

The SETTW Program aims to encourage current teachers and academically talented students to pursue careers in Special Education. Recipients of the waiver are exempted from tuition and mandatory fees for up to four calendar years at any public university in Illinois. In return, recipients commit to teaching in Special Education at an Illinois school for at least two of the five years following graduation.

SETTW Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be a U.S. citizen, eligible non-citizen, or meet the undocumented student criteria of the RISE Act.
• Illinois residency is required.
• Enrolled or accepted for enrollment as an undergraduate or graduate student in Special Education.
• Must meet school's satisfactory academic progress criteria.
• Continuous attendance for up to four years.
• Graduated (or scheduled to graduate) from an approved high school, performing in the upper half of the graduating class, or hold a valid teaching license not in the discipline of special education.

Applying for SETTW:

• Complete the SETTW Application, serving as a promissory note.
• Application accessible online via the ISAC Student Portal.
• Must be submitted to ISAC by the priority consideration date of March 1 before the start of the academic year.
• Applicants create an ISAC Student Portal account to complete the online application.
• Option to electronically sign and submit or print, sign by hand, and mail the application to ISAC.
• Paper applications must have an original ink signature and cannot be submitted via email or fax.

SETTW Teaching Requirement:

• Recipients commit to teaching two years on a full-time basis in Special Education.
• Teaching obligation must be fulfilled at a nonprofit Illinois public, private, or parochial preschool, elementary, or secondary school.
• Teaching begins within one year immediately following graduation or termination of enrollment and continues for two of the subsequent five years.
• Failure to fulfill teaching requirements results in the assistance converting to a loan.
• Recipient must repay the entire amount prorated based on the incomplete obligation, plus a 5% interest rate and any reasonable collection fees.
• Interest accrues from the date the repayment obligation begins.
• Repayment to be completed within 10 years after the assistance converts to a loan.

The Prairie Area Teaching Initiative (PATI) is a program within the School of Education that recruits first-generation students, students of diversity, paraprofessionals, and substitute teachers from Illinois, providing support as they pursue careers in education. PATI offers a unique support system through mentoring, special opportunities for community engagement, and recommends candidates for a Professional Educator License to the Illinois State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. Graduates commit to teaching in Illinois for at least two years. Participants engage in planned activities and incentives to enhance their motivation and teaching skills, involving both professional and volunteer efforts. The application process includes applying to the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) and a separate application to PATI after acceptance to UIS. You can find more information at PRAIRIE AREA TEACHING INITIATIVE (PATI) page.