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Managing relocation costs
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In addition to providing housing and food during the summer institute, Teach For America offers transitional funding packages comprised of grants and no-interest loans for teacher start-up costs. Individuals can apply for transitional funding during the interview process, even if they are not relocating to a new region.
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How much am I going to spend over the summer? | |
What does this transitional funding package cover? |
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Corps members talk about managing relocation costs |
How much am I going to spend over the summer?
Teach For America covers most major expenses during the summer institute, including room, meals, and board, which is also covered for one to two weeks during regional inductions. We also provide transportation to and from your school site during the summer institute.
Corps members can also expect several living expenses before receiving their first paycheck, which can sometimes take up to one month after the beginning of the school year. Many of these general living expenses can be covered by the transitional funding package. Sample summer expenses include:
Summer expense (can be covered by transitional funding package) |
Average |
Up to two months of rent and utilities after the summer institute |
$400-1,100 |
Apartment deposit, equivalent up to first and last month of rent |
$800-2,200 |
Travel to institute |
$300-500 |
Shipping and storage |
$150 |
Furniture |
$350 |
Professional clothing |
$215 |
School supplies |
$250 |
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General living costs, such as rent and food, before summer induction |
$400-2,000 |
Cable and internet activation and bills |
$50-200 |
Cell phone activation and bills |
$50-200 |
Additional travel (i.e. vacation, between region and institute) |
$100-1,000 |
Car purchase or lease |
Down payment + $200/month |
Laptop |
$500-1,000 |
Corps members should also plan for teaching-specific expenses, including testing, certification, fingerprinting, and background checks. In some regions, corps members must pay for these expenses out-of-pocket, while in other regions, testing and certification expenses are covered by the transitional funding package and/or AmeriCorps award. Corps members will learn more about specific costs and payment options upon acceptance to a region.
What does this transitional funding package cover?
Teach For America offers no-interest loans and, in some cases, grants totaling from $1,000 to $6,000. All corps members who complete a transitional funding application are offered an award; in 2009, 56 percent of our corps members applied for and received transitional funding, totaling $6.8 million in awards. Packages are based on an applicant's demonstrated need and the cost of living in the assigned region.
The package is designed to assist with transitional costs including, but not limited to:
- Testing and certification fees
- Travel to the summer institute and the region where corps members will teach
- Relocation expenses
For more about how transitional funding is awarded, see our FAQs.
Applicants who are invited to the in-person interview day can apply online for transitional funding. This has absolutely no bearing on admissions decisions. Corps members will learn about their award amount upon acceptance to the corps; grants and loans are awarded at the beginning of the summer institute.
Corps members talk about managing relocation costs
Learn how corps members plan summer finances and use their transitional funding
Daniel Camacho (Mid-Atlantic Corps '08)
Managing finances during the summer institute required me to balance the things that Teach For America provided for me, like meals and transportation, with the extra things that I was willing to spend my own money on, like entertainment, other food options, and leisure activities. I planned for this by setting aside a certain amount of money that I would spend for those extra amenities.
Rachel Knight (Indianapolis Corps '08)
I planned ahead for the costs I incurred at the summer institute by saving about $2,000, which was more than I needed. I used Excel to budget my money carefully during the summer training by allocating $100 a week for entertainment, $50 for household items, and $50 a week for school supplies. I saved for at least three months prior to cover the costs of food, basic living expenses, entertainment, and purchasing some basic supplies to teach summer school. In the end, my extra expenses totaled about $1,000.
Mary Trigg (South Louisiana Corps '07)
I used my transitional funding to cover my expenses over the summer until I got my first paycheck in September. Expenses included rent, rent deposit, turning on and paying utilities ($300), gas ($200), food ($200). I also used the transitioning funding for miscellaneous expenses like paper, pens, personal items, and home furnishings (totaling $400).
Alexandra Piening (Delta Corps '07)
I used my transitional grant to cover my travel expenses associated with relocating to my region. I drove my own vehicle and gas and food costs were between $100-$150. My biggest expense was getting my furniture to my region and I spent approximately $750 in order to do this. My final expenses were my housing deposit ($650) and utility deposits ($275). The transitional funding was sufficient to get me on my feet, but I would suggest having extra money saved because some districts don't issue paychecks until the end of the first working month.
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