Program Costs

Program Costs

**Texas Teaching Fellows is a non-profit organization and is committed to keeping costs as low as possible for incoming participants. We are currently reviewing program expenditures to determine program tuition for the 2011 cohort. Tuition rates will be posted in early October.**

Texas Teaching Fellows provides a unique opportunity for dedicated individuals seeking to launch their teaching careers – including an unparalleled summer training, job search support, ongoing professional development through Content Seminars, and the chance to teach full-time (earning full salary and benefits while earning certification). Each year, we strive to keep our program costs low and competitive among other alternative certification programs. TTF program tuition remains lower than the state average for alternative certification programs.

“The pricing appears to be more affordable… I had checked out another program that charged $600 to start and $5,500 as tuition during training. TTF was much less expensive.  Plus… I didn’t have to sign a contract stating that I MUST pay before I even had any experience.”

-Texas Teaching Fellow

There are two types of costs related to our program: an administrative enrollment fee, and tuition for training and professional development.

Enrollment Fee

The $199 non-refundable administrative fee is due upon enrollment into the program. This payment secures your enrollment with our program and covers all administrative costs.

Tuition

The $3,700 program tuition is payable throughout the year (in full by May 2010).  Tuition payments begin when you secure a full-time teaching position in your assigned subject area, and there is an opportunity to choose from three flexible payment plans.  Most Fellows opt for payroll deduction in which the tuition amount is taken out in equal installments beginning on their first district paycheck.   

The $3,700 fee is the program’s entire tuition, including the costs for our faculty, professional development program, and all associated materials; tuition does not include testing fees and other state-mandated expenses (see below.)

Additional Certification Fees

In addition to TTF program costs, all new teachers are required to take and pass state-specific tests and complete certification requirements. As a result, teacher candidates will be asked to incur additional state and testing-related expenses as they pursue certification. A summary of the additional costs that candidates can expect to encounter is provided:

Testing Fees

All individuals interested in becoming an educator in Texas are required to take and successfully pass certification exams:

• Content-based TExES (prior to entering the classroom; some candidates, for instance those teaching in special education and ESL, are required to take two content exams)
• Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) Exam (taken during the first year of teaching)
• The BTLPT (for bilingual education teachers only; taken during the first year of teaching)

Registration fees per exam are $120.  Testing fees are paid directly to the testing company.
Additionally, many candidates choose to access outside test preparation resources. These programs may also charge separate fees; for information on these resources, visit the TExES Exams page.

State Certification Costs

Fellows will be required to pay the Texas State Board of Educator Certification for the following, in order to pursue their teacher certification:

• Probationary Certificate Fee (paid in order to be considered “Highly Qualified” to teach during participation in our program): $52
• Fingerprinting Fee (paid at time of enrollment): $42.25 + agency fees
• Standard Certificate Fee (paid at the end of the first year of teaching): $77

Total additional costs for state fees and test registration (minimum)*: $411.25
*Assumes 1 content TExES examination and the PPR; bilingual candidates must also take the BTLPT; SPED candidates must take at least one additional content test; ESL candidates must take a supplemental exam.

Summary of Costs

Cost	Amount	Timeline
Enrollment Fee: Non-refundable administrative costs fee	$199	Upon enrollment to secure your spot
Program Tuition: Payment Options: payroll deduction, easy installment payments via PayPal	$3,700**	During first year of teaching (all payments to begin in September 2009) **Texas Teaching Fellows is a non-profit organization and is committed to keeping costs as low as possible for incoming participants. We are currently reviewing program expenditures to determine program tuition for the 2011 cohort. Tuition rates will be posted in early October.**
SBEC/TEA Fees (required by all aspiring teachers in Texas):
Testing Fees: TExES Regular Registration	$120	Upon registering for Exam; at least 2 exams required for certification (some certification areas will require 3 exams) Not offered for all subjects.
Certification Fees: Probationary Fee   Fingerprinting Fee   Standard Certificate	$52   $42.25 + agency fees $77	Paid in order to be considered “Highly Qualified” to teach during participation in our program Paid at time of enrollment   Paid at the end of the first year of teaching

 

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Fellow Profiles

Melody Thompson Round Rock Independent School District 6th Grade Math Teacher I chose TTF because I could train to become a teacher through TTF’s rigorous training institute, and then apply what I learned immediately in my own classroom that fall.  It wouldn’t take years for me to become a teacher.  I also liked the fact that the fees for the program were very affordable, and there were payment options that fit my budget.  This made TTF a very affordable, flexible program for me.  Also, TTF has a very detailed, challenging program that focuses on training Fellows to be excellent teachers in high-need schools, which is exactly where I wanted to work.  I wanted to be adequately prepared to teach once I set foot in my classroom, and I definitely obtained that with TTF.