Funding Opportunities for Math and Science Teaching Careers

Have you considered a career as a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) middle or high school teacher but you weren’t sure how to pay for it? Substantial funding and savings are available. 

Are you currently an undergraduate student who has decided to pursue a career in STEM education? Are you a current teacher looking to further your content knowledge and pedagogy? Or, are you a professional who is looking to change careers? There are opportunities for you! The secondary education undergraduate and graduate degree programs at the University of South Alabama include a mix of face-to-face and online courses offered at times convenient for working adults. Students have opportunities to work with faculty trained specifically in either math or science education. 

Apply now while funding is still available! 

Initial Teacher Certification

The Bachelor’s of Science (B.S.) and Alternative Master’s (Alt M.Ed) in either Secondary Mathematics Education or Secondary Science Education both lead to teaching certification in your respective field. The Bachelor’s of Science is a traditional four-year program. If you already have a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field, the alternative master’s degree is a 42-hour program and typically completed in four to six semesters. 

Total Funding Opportunity - up to $46,000!

• Alabama Math and Science Teacher Education Program (AMSTEP) - up to $30,000.
  • Provides $5,000 in loan forgiveness for each year you teach mathematics or science in Alabama, for up to four years ($20,000). Provides an additional $2,500 a year, for up to four years, in loan forgiveness if you teach in one of Alabama’s counties (25% of counties) with a critical shortage of science and/or math teachers ($10,000) (https://amstep.ache.edu/) To apply, upon receiving certification, complete the AMSTEP Verification Reimbursement Form (located on the AMSTEP website).
• TEACH Grant - up to $16,000.
  • Provides up to $4,000 per academic year, for each year of your program, up to four years ($16,000). As part of the grant, you must teach four years (within eight years) in a high-need field, in a high-need school; mathematics and science are included as high-need fields. To apply, complete the FAFSA. Click here to learn more about the TEACH Grant.

Advanced Teacher Certification

The traditional Master’s of Education (M.Ed) and Education Instructional Specialist (Ed.S.) lead to Class A and Class AA certificates, respectively. Both programs are 30 hours and include a combination of both online and face-to-face courses. Now is a great time to further your education as a teacher so you can take advantage of the Educator Excellence Scholarship. Other funding is available as well. There has never been a better time to get an advanced degree at a fraction of the cost and to be on the path for increased annual salary!

Total Funding Opportunity - 20% off tuition and up to $8,000!

• Educator Excellence Scholarship - 20% of Tuition Cost.
  
  • For graduate students majoring in a teacher education program, who have previously earned an Alabama Professional Educator certificate. This scholarship is specifically designed for those seeking a Class A or AA certification.* This scholarship equates to 20% of tuition cost each semester for six consecutive semesters. Students granted admission to an eligible program automatically qualify and are awarded the scholarship. Click here to learn more about the Educator Excellence Scholarship.
• TEACH Grant - up to $8,000 (even if you received the TEACH grant for your initial certification).
  
  • Provides up to $4,000 per academic year, for each year of your program, up to two years ($8,000). As part of the grant, you must teach four years (within eight years) in a high-need field, in a high-need school; mathematics and science are included as high-need fields. To apply, complete the FAFSA. Click here to learn more about the TEACH Grant.

Contact Us