Salary and Benefits

Salary
Benefits
AmeriCorps Education Awards

Salary
During pre-service training, each Fellow will receive a nontaxable stipend to help offset living costs. June 2009 Fellows received $2,500. Because the time between the beginning of training and a Fellow’s first paycheck may be lengthy, we encourage Fellows to take appropriate measures to ensure their financial well-being during this time.

Once a Fellow has successfully completed pre-service training, s/he is eligible to be hired as a full-time teacher in a NYC public school. Once hired as full-time employees of the NYC Department of Education, Fellows are eligible to receive full benefits and will earn the same starting salary as all other beginning teachers in New York City public schools.

During the 2009-2010 school year, a Fellow with only a Bachelor's degree and no additional coursework can expect to earn an annual salary of $45,530, although that salary will increase significantly in the first few years (see chart below).




The salary schedule for Teaching Fellows is the same as that for all other NYC teachers.

Benefits

When Fellows begin their full-time teaching position they are eligible for the same benefits as all other teachers, including a pension plan and a choice of health insurance plans. The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) Welfare Fund also offers teachers two different dental plans, as well as vision care benefits. You can find additional details on benefits for teachers in The Red Apple: UFT Welfare Fund Health and Welfare Benefits for Employees and Their Families, available on the UFT website. Please note: Fellows are responsible for their own insurance during pre-service training. Additional resources: Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) of the City of New York website

AmeriCorps Education Awards

NYC Teaching Fellows are also eligible to earn an AmeriCorps Education Award for their service as a teacher in a high-need school. The Education Award is $4,725 for a year of full-time service and can be used to pay education costs at qualified institutions of higher education, for educational training, or to repay qualified student loans. Once Fellows receive the award, they can withdraw it in full or in part, and they have up to seven years after their term of service has ended to claim the award.

AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for forbearance of qualified student loans during the period of service. During a period of forbearance, no loan payments are required, and AmeriCorps may pay all or a portion of the interest that accrues on a qualified student loan during the term of service. Please note that these Education Awards are conditional upon funding and grant approval, but in the past, Fellows have been eligible to receive up to two of these awards. (Individuals who have previously received an AmeriCorps Education Award or Awards may not qualify for additional awards.)

For more information about the AmeriCorps Education Awards, please visit our AmeriCorps FAQ page.