Being a Fellow

Salary & Benefits

The starting salary for Fellows is the same as other first-year teachers in Texas public schools. Beginning teachers with no previous classroom experience will typically earn between $40,000 and $45,000 in their first year, although pay may vary based upon district placement, performance pay, and the teacher’s education level. In some districts, teachers with a masters’ degree may earn up to $1,000-$2,000 more; while other districts may pay an additional $1,000-$5,000 hiring incentive for teachers in subjects with critical shortages. Teachers normally receive their first paycheck at the end of the first month of teaching.

Benefits

Fellows are eligible for the same benefits as all other teachers, including a pension plan and a choice of health, vision, and dental insurance plans.

Loan Deferment & Forgiveness

Individuals who commit to teach full-time in under-resourced schools may be eligible for loan deferment or forgiveness of federal Stafford and Perkins loans. Fellows with Stafford and/or Perkins loans should contact their loan provider(s) directly to inquire about this possibility. Texas Teaching Fellows can provide you and your loan agency with an official Letter of Enrollment to verify your participation in the program. For more info see Making the Financial Transition.

Other Advantages

In addition, Fellows may be eligible for The Good Neighbor Next Door program, which is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) initiative designed to encourage teachers to buy homes in low and moderate-income neighborhoods by granting up to 50% off of the list price for the designated homes.
More information on the Good Neighbor Program can be found at: http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/reo/goodn/gnndabot.cfm

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