In year one, as a City Teaching Alliance Resident, you’ll receive a stipend ranging from $30,000 to $38,600 (varies by region). During the Summer Institute (ending in early July), we cover the cost of AU’s health insurance and required books and materials for your master’s degree. Upon successfully signing your Letter of Intent and enrolling at American University (AU), you’ll receive a $1,000 signing bonus and a $2,000 Transitional Assistance Grant (TAG). If you need additional funds for relocation expenses, you can apply for the Additional Transitional Assistance Grant (ATAG), with eligibility and amounts determined by our needs-based formula. You could receive up to $4,000 in transitional assistance overall.

In years two through four, as a Fellow, you’ll earn a full-time salary and benefits as a teacher with one of our school partners, typically starting at a minimum of $50,000. We collaborate with school districts and charter management organizations offering some of the nation’s highest teacher pay, including performance-based rewards. This means that as an effective teacher, you can advance up the salary ladder even more rapidly.

Your enrollment with American University is a tuition cost of up to $45,000, spread over two years. For any tuition-related inquiries, please contact AU’s Graduate Program Coordinator for City Teaching Alliance. Residents from Baltimore, Dallas, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC can reach out to Almosa Pirela at apirela@american.edu. Please note that tuition costs are determined by American University and may change over time.

American University will increase tuition by at least 3% for all AU students beginning Fall 2023. To alleviate this burden for Residents, City Teaching Alliance will subsidize the tuition to maintain it at $45,000. You’ll see a “sponsored payment” line on your student account, reflecting the portion of your tuition covered by City Teaching Alliance, ensuring you won’t bear the expense of the tuition increase.

Among the opportunities available, you can take advantage of the TEACH Grant and the AmeriCorps Segal Education Award. The TEACH Grant provides up to $3,772 annually towards your graduate school tuition, totaling over $7,500. As a City Teaching Alliance-endorsed AmeriCorps participant, you may qualify for two Segal awards, each up to $7,395 per year, totaling over $14,000 over two years, which you can apply towards your student loan repayment.

If you’re eligible, the Black Educators Initiative (BEI) offers you financial and programmatic support throughout the program. BEI participants receive grants ranging from $4,000 to $5,000 and AU tuition payments between $20,000 and $25,000, resulting in a total of $24,000 to $30,000. For more details, visit the BEI page on our website.

You should submit the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Be sure to list the AU FAFSA code 001434 in the college release section. If you’re eligible for federal student aid, packages will likely consist of Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. You can also apply separately for additional Graduate Plus Loans, as well as the TEACH Grant.

Please note that you must complete the FAFSA each academic year to remain eligible for federal student aid. You must also maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA, complete two-thirds of all cumulative attempted credits in their master’s program, and finish the program within the maximum timeframe as defined in AU’s Academic Regulations.

While City Teaching Alliance and AU welcome DACA recipients to this program, DACA recipients are ineligible to receive federal student aid at this time.

During Summer Institute, also known as “Summer A,” we cover your housing and meal expenses. However, once Summer Institute concludes (at the beginning of July), you’ll need to budget for your living expenses using your salary or stipend.

To assist you with housing arrangements, your region’s Enrollment Manager will provide support and various resources. These resources, tailored to each region, may include housing guides, assistance in finding roommates, information on local apartment complexes with reserved units and discounted rent, and more.

Additionally, we partner with Mariner Financial Wellness, a financial wellness and 1:1 coaching platform. You can access this benefit for free through City Teaching Alliance starting in the Spring before Summer Institute and throughout the entire program. With their tools and real, human coaches, Mariner Financial Wellness can help you with monthly budgeting, reduce financial stress, build confidence, and work towards financial success by saving more money and reducing debt.

As a member of Cohort 2024, you’ll receive a $1000 Signing Bonus and a $2000 Transitional Assistance Grant (TAG). If you anticipate needing further financial support to transition to City Teaching Alliance, you can apply for an Additional Transitional Assistance Grant (ATAG). ATAG determinations are formula-based, considering factors like relocation distance and city cost of living. Eligibility is based on these calculations, with ATAG award amounts ranging from $100 to $2000 for eligible applicants.

There are currently several federal tax deductions and credits available to you as an educator. While City Teaching Alliance does not provide tax advice, we encourage you to reach out to your tax agency/provider when filing to inquire about the following credits and deductions:

• Tuition and Fees Federal Deduction: You may be eligible for a $4,000 deduction in the first year of the program. More information can be found here.*
• Lifetime Learning Federal Income Tax Credit: In your first year of the program, you may qualify for a $2,000 tax credit on qualified tuition and related expenses. More information can be found here.*
• Educator Expense Federal Deduction: Fellows and alumni continuing their careers as classroom educators may be eligible for a $250 tax deduction for classroom expenses—including books, supplies, computer and classroom equipment, and professional development courses.

*Please note that the Tuition and Fees Deduction and Lifetime Learning Federal Income Tax Credit may not be claimed during the same tax year. We recommend seeking tax advice to ensure you receive the maximum tax benefits.