Financial Assistance

Financial assistance in the form of a stipend or a bonus may be available to participants who meet military service requirements, program application timeframes, eligible employment, and if separated or retired, an honorable discharge. Additional conditions and restrictions apply.

Military service requirements and program application timeframes to receive financial assistance include:

Retired from active duty on or after October 1, 1999 (must apply within three years from retirement date)
Active duty member with approved date of retirement with one year or less remaining before retirement
Transferred to the Retired Reserve (must apply within three years from retirement date)
Retired or separated for a service-connected physical disability on or after January 8, 2002 (must apply within three years after separation from service). Physical disability must be noted on service separation document, not a VA determination.
Individuals transitioning from active duty on or after January 8, 2002, that served four or more years of continuous active duty immediately before separation and executed a contract to serve for three or more years in a Selected Reserve unit (must apply within three years after active duty separation date)
Individuals that have completed six or more years of creditable service towards retirement on or after January 8, 2002 and executed a contract to serve for three or more years with a Selected Reserve unit (must apply within three years after active duty separation date)

Stipend

Stipends of up to $5,000 may be available for eligible participants to assist with obtaining the required education level, teacher certification, and licensing.

Must be enrolled in an accredited institution that will result in licensure as a full time teacher
Commit to full time teaching in an eligible or high need school for a period of three years
If not retired or discharged due to service-connected physical disability, must commit to serve three years in reserves or until eligible to retire

A participant may not receive a stipend if eligible for chapter 33 (Post 9/11) benefits.

Bonus

Bonuses of up to $10,000 may be available for eligible participants as an incentive to teach in an eligible or high need school.

Commit to full time teaching in an eligible or high need school for a period of three years
If not retired or discharged due to service-connected physical disability, must commit to serve three years in reserves or until eligible to retire

JROTC instructors are eligible for a maximum of $5,000 bonus.

The combination of a stipend and/or bonus for any one participant cannot exceed $10,000.

Eligible Schools

An Eligible School is defined as one where the Free/Reduced Cost Lunch Percentage is 30% or more, at least 13% of students enrolled qualify for assistance under part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or a Bureau of Indian Affairs funded school.

High Needs Schools

A High Needs School is defined as one where the Free/Reduced Cost Lunch percentage is 50% or more for public middle or elementary schools, 40% or more for public high schools, or eligible under 6211(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, which covers rural schools.

Indian Affairs Schools

The Bureau of Indian Education oversees a total of 183 elementary, secondary, residential, and peripheral dormitories across 23 states. 129 schools are tribally controlled under P.L. 93-638 Indian Self Determination Contracts or P.L. 100-297 Tribally Controlled Grant Schools Act. 54 schools are operated by the Bureau of Indian Education.

Charter Schools

A Charter School is a public school operated by a group of parents, teachers, and/or community members as a semi-autonomous school of choice within a school district, operating under a contract or "charter" contract between the members of the Charter School community and the local board of education.