Financing Your Transition

Interest-Free Transitional Loans and Grants

We offer a $1,000-6,000 funding package of no-interest loans and grants to help our corps members in their transition. If you are invited to a final interview, you will be eligible to apply for the transitional funding package. The package is designed to assist with transitional costs including, but not limited to:

• Testing and certification fees
• Travel to the summer institute and the region where corps members will teach
• Relocation expenses                                      

All corps members who complete a transitional funding application are offered an award. Packages are based on an applicant's demonstrated need, the cost of moving, and the cost of living in the assigned region. In 2010, 56% of our corps members applied for and received transitional funding, totaling $7.7 million in awards.

Corps members learn about their award amount when they are accepted to the corps. Grants and loans are awarded at the beginning of the summer institute.

Costs Covered During Summer Training

• Room and board during the five week summer training institute
• Transportation to and from your school site during the summer training institute
• Room and board for one to two weeks during regional orientation, which happens prior to the start of the school year

Expenses to Expect Before Your First Paycheck 

It can take up to one month after the beginning of the school year to receive your first paycheck from the school district. As with any job transition, corps members should be prepared for several expenses before receiving that first check.

Teaching-Specific Expenses

Corps members should plan for teaching-specific expenses, including testing, certification, fingerprinting, and background checks. In some regions, corps members must pay for these expenses out-of-pocket, while in other regions, testing and certification expenses are covered by the transitional funding package and/or AmeriCorps award. You will learn more about specific costs and payment options upon acceptance to a region.

Living Expenses

We consider many of these general living expenses in the transitional funding package. Sample summer expenses include:

Connecting with Other Corps Members and Alumni to Find Housing

We offer a website called TFANet which allows corps members and alumni to connect with each other to find roommates , apartments for rent,  or post listings. You can also use TFANet to ask questions, post comments, and share recommendations about neighborhoods and housing options. Additionally, the summer training institute and regional orientations serve as great opportunities to talk with other corps members about finding housing together.