Show Me the Money

As I have stated before, the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program provides 500 college students with a scholarship of $6,500 per year in school. To "repay" the scholarship, a fellow is given 7 years to teach at least 4 years in a public North Carolina school upon graduation. Sound like a great deal, right?

Because neither of my parents attended college and do not make large amounts of money every year, I am paying my own way through college. Getting the scholarship was a huge blessing and I am so lucky to have been chosen; however, I still have to take out loans to pay for things like meal plans and books.

UNC does not offer Secondary Education as an Undergraduate degree so I am required to complete an MAT (Masters in the Art of Teaching) to be able to teach high school; this would add another year to my studies. Because the scholarship only provides 4 years worth of funding, I would have to earn more scholarships or loans to cover my 5th year. I decided to take summer classes so that i will be able to finish my Undergrad in 3 years and use my 4th year of funding for my MAT. Unfortunately, I was not aware that the Teaching Fellows Program will not pay for a Grad degree no matter how quickly I complete it, and I will not be given my remaining scholarship money.

Even though it will not be covered by the state, I still want to graduate early. I love the Teaching Fellows Program and am so thankful for all they have given me; I just wish that I had known this sooner. Despite my set back, I recommend the program to any student wishing to become a teacher...just read the fine print!