Our corps members
Finances
Corps and Alumni
Financial security and health benefits
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Corps members generally find that they can live comfortably regardless of their placement region. Teacher salaries are comparable with those in other entry-level positions and many of our corps members are eligible for forebearance and interest payments on federal student loans.
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How much will I be paid? | |
Will I receive health benefits? |
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What do I do about my loans? | |
How will I find housing? |
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Corps members talk about financial security as teachers |
How much will I be paid?
Corps members are school district employees and thus receive the same salaries and benefits as other beginning teachers. Salaries range from $30,000 to $51,500, depending on the region. Corps members teaching in urban areas typically have higher salaries, starting at $30,000 and going up to $51,500. Corps members in rural regions, who make between $30,000 and $45,000, tend to have more discretionary income because the cost of living is disproportionately lower in these areas. Beginning teachers with advanced degrees often earn higher salaries, so in some cases, applicants with a master's degree and/or a Ph.D. can expect salaries that exceed these ranges.
Download a spreadsheet to learn about salaries, monthly living expenses, and certification-related costs for all of our regions.
Learn more about cost-of-living in our regions:
Will I receive health benefits?
Corps members generally receive the same health benefits as other beginning teachers. To learn about the basics of health insurance, we recommend CNN Money. Health benefits can greatly vary across regions and districts; benefits may include, but are not limited to:
- Medical, dental, and vision care
- Referral-free access to doctors
- Life insurance
- Routine preventative care
- Flexible spending accounts
- Employee assistance and wellness programs
- Family planning services
What do I do about my loans?
Teach For America is currently a member of AmeriCorps, the national service network. Through AmeriCorps, corps members are eligible for loan forbearance on federal student loans. Loan forbearance is a period of time during the repayment period during which corps members can postpone regular monthly payments. Corps members can use loan forbearance time to save for a major expense (car, grad school, etc.), pay off loans more efficiently, or put money toward other responsibilities.
In addition, AmeriCorps will pay up to 100 percent of the interest that accrues on qualified student loans during corps members' two-year teaching commitment. Some state and federal agencies also offer loan cancellation programs for corps members who complete their two-year teaching commitment. Corps members also receive an AmeriCorps education award, which they can also use to pay off loans
Learn more about loan forbearance and interest payments through AmeriCorps
How will I find housing?
We offer a website called TFANet which allows corps members and alumni to reach out to each other to find roommates and apartments for rent or post listings. Corps members and alumni can also use TFANet to ask questions, post comments, and share recommendations about neighborhoods and housing options.
Corps members talk about financial security as teachers
Andrea Michaelis (Delta Corps '07)
The Delta is a comparatively inexpensive region. I have more than enough to afford to buy a two-bedroom house and a weekend of shopping and entertainment in nearby Memphis. 
Dan Englender (Connecticut Corps '07)
Owing to its large population of graduate students, housing turnover in the town I live in is high and housing is fairly easy to come by. Craig's List contains an extensive listing of housing options, and I was able to find housing within a couple of days. I live with two other corps members, but housing is affordable enough that corps members who desire to live alone are able to do so.
Bryan Acklin (Houston Corps '07)
I share a house with three 2007 corps members about 20 minutes from the heart of the city. Living with other corps members has been a great way to balance my social life with my work responsibilities. It's invaluable to have people who can relate with you and understand what it is that you are going through. Having three roommates has clearly made living expenses much less of a burden. Houston teachers are also very well compensated which made the transition from college much easier. Also, as a math teacher, I can confidently say that paying for only 1/4 of most house amenities and luxuries is quite a bargain.
Charley McNamara (Delta Corps '07)
Living on a teacher's salary in the Delta has given me a taste of Donald Trump's lifestyle. Okay, so maybe we don't have that much money, but it's amazing how far a little money goes here. I actually think it would be difficult to spend a hundred bucks in Helena. Over the course of the past year, I was able to add a ton of money to my IRA, start a second savings account, and even then have enough money to afford a few weekend flights to Boston and New York. It's pretty great after being a poor college student and reluctantly buying $10 movie tickets and $4 ice cream cones.
Molly Maldonado (Mid-Atlantic Corps '08)
I live in a loft with a view of the river right in the center of all the night life in Philadelphia. My friends are all jealous of where I live. I'm able to go out, shop, pay my loan, and save a little as well.
Jane Shiu (South Louisiana Corps '07)
Living on a teacher's salary in the Delta has given me a taste of Donald Trump's lifestyle. Okay, so maybe we don't have that much money, but it's amazing how far a little money goes here. I actually think it would be difficult to spend a hundred bucks in Helena. Over the course of the past year, I was able to add a ton of money to my IRA, start a second savings account, and even then have enough money to afford a few weekend flights to Boston and New York. It's pretty great after being a poor college student and reluctantly buying $10 movie tickets and $4 ice cream cones.
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