Financial Aid for Educator Preparation

Educator Loan Repayment Program

• Up to $7,500 towards outstanding loans
• May apply annually for up to four years
• Have completed a bachelor’s degree at a Massachusetts public college or university
• Work for four years in a Massachusetts public school district as a teacher, paraprofessional or in any other position that requires a license/certification issued by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education or other state agency
• Payment will be made annually after the educator provides verification of a full year of employment.
• Apply via MassAid
• Note: This may be combined with the federal public service loan forgiveness (PSLF) program

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

• 2023 Updates on Student Loan Forgiveness
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Help Tool Ninja

MTA Benefits offers webinars and resources on navigating student loan forgiveness. The National Education Association Member Benefits also offers low and no-cost support through their NEA Student Debt Navigator.

Expanded Behavioral Health Loan Repayment

The Expanded Behavioral Health (EBH) Student Loan Repayment provides loan repayment awards to behavioral health professionals.

• Up to $300,000 in student loan repayment
• Commit to four years of employment in an eligible setting
• Eligible job roles include registered nurses, social worker, psychiatrist, psychologist and other roles.

Scholarships, Grants and Tuition Assistance

Tomorrow’s Teachers Scholarship

• Application Deadline Extended to Friday, January 3, 2025
• Up to $25,000 per year in scholarship funds.
• Enrolled in an undergraduate or post-baccalaureate educator preparation program.
• Commit to four years of employment in a Massachusetts public school district.
• Apply via MassAid

Framingham Teacher Residency

TEACH Grants

• Up to $4000 per year for graduate and undergraduate students
• Must be enrolled in an eligible educator preparation program leading to licensure in a high need field. For Massachusetts, eligible licensure programs include Bilingual Education, English as a Second Language, World Languages, Mathematics, Reading Specialist, Science, Computer Science and Special Education.
• Commit to teaching for four years in a public school or eligible program
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Complete the TEACH Grant Application through the educator preparation program

Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant Program

• Up to $7,500 per academic year
• Currently employed as a paraprofessional in a Massachusetts public school
• Enrolled in approved teacher preparation program at a public or private institution
• Commit to teaching in a Massachusetts public school for up to four years
• Apply via MassAid

Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program

• Scholarship award up to $4,500 per semester
• Employed as an educator or provider in an early education and care program or out of school time program that is licensed or authorized by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)
• Have an active ECE Professional Qualifications Registry Number
• Enrolled in a full- or part-time program such as:
  • Undergraduate program in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Family Studies, Child Care Administration or fields that directly name early child development and its specific areas of inquiry
  • Graduate programs in the same areas plus Early Childhood Research, Policy and Practice, Education Entrepreneurship or Learning Sciences
• Commit to employment in the early childhood field in Massachusetts for up to four years
• Apply via MassAid

Massachusetts High Demand Scholarship Program

• Scholarship award up to $6,500 per year
• Enrolled full time or part time in a bachelor’s degree program at a public or independent institution
• Major in education, science, technology, engineering, math or health professions
• Apply via MassAid

Incentive Program for Aspiring Teachers Tuition Waiver

• Tuition waiver according to current value by campus.
• Enrolled in an approved undergraduate educator preparation program
• Commit to teaching for two years in a public school in the Commonwealth upon completion of a bachelor’s degree.
• Apply via MassAid

Massachusetts Part Time Grant

• Grant awards from $200 to $1,100
• Enrolled part time in an eligible public or private undergraduate program or certificate program
• Apply via MassAid

MassEducate – new!

• For attendance at any of the 15 Massachusetts Community College campuses
• For any Massachusetts resident who has not previously earned a bachelor’s degree
• Enroll in at least six credits per semester in an approved program of study leading to an associate degree or certificate
• Covers cost of attendance including tuition, fees, books and supplies for associates degree or certificate program
• Provides an allowance of up to $1200 per academic year towards books, supplies, and other expenses
• Apply through local community college and complete a FAFSA

MassReconnect

• For attendance at any of the 15 Massachusetts Community College campuses
• Covers cost of attendance including tuition, fees, books and supplies for associates degree or certificate program
• Enroll in at least six credits per semester in an approved program of study leading to an associate degree or certificate
• Provides an allowance of up to $600 per academic year towards books, supplies, and other expenses regardless of household income
• Massachusetts residents age 25 and older who have not earn an associates or higher degree
• Apply through local community college and complete a FAFSA