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Teach For America Ignite Application Process

How to apply to Teach For America’s tutoring program - and let your passion and purpose fit your life.
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Check Your Eligibility

Before you start your application, check to see if you qualify:

  • Have at least a 2.5 undergraduate GPA (or 3.0 high school for first year college students)
  • Be at least 18 years of age, authorized to work in the U.S. and complete an online background check
  • Be available to work up to 5 hours per week on a consistent schedule
  • Be a current undergraduate or graduate student, renewing fellow, accepted corps member, TFA alum, or previously accepted new fellow (deferral)

If you check all these boxes, you can get started and create an account. ​

Ignite Application Windows

Review our application deadlines and choose when you’re going to apply.

 Ignite Deadlines Spring 2026 Cohort Fall 2026 Cohort
Application Opens Aug. 20, 2025 Jan. 28, 2026
Application Deadline Nov. 19, 2025 Apr. 29, 2026
Admissions Notification Dec. 17, 2025 May 21, 2026
 Ignite Deadlines

Application Opens

Application Deadline Admissions Notification
Spring 2026 Cohort Aug. 20, 2025 Nov. 19, 2025 Dec. 17, 2025
Fall 2026 Cohort Jan. 28, 2026 Apr. 29, 2026 May 21, 2026

Fill Out an Online Application

If you're ready to help students succeed and gain hands-on tutoring experience, here’s what you need to do to apply:
 

Create an Account

Confirm Eligibility

  • Answer the eligibility questions
  • You may need to click “My Account” to update your eligibility profile

Fill Out Application & Upload Documents

  • Contact information and leadership roles or community involvements (in lieu of a resume)
  • Four short answer essay questions (300 words or less each)
  • Disclosure of misdemeanor or felony charges and/or convictions in the last 7 years
  • Record and upload two video reflections, following the application prompt 
  • Demographic Information (optional)  
  • Click complete for all tasks AND final submit button

Note: There is a shortened application for renewing fellows, accepted corps members, TFA alums, and previously accepted new fellows (deferrals). You will be able to identify yourself in the eligibility questions and the system will transfer you to the shortened application with approximately one short answer question.

In the majority of cases, renewing fellows, accepted corps members, TFA alums, and previously accepted new fellows (deferrals) will be automatically accepted into Ignite. However there may be some instances where we hold your application for further review and may reach out to you to learn more (i.e. due to your response to the short answer question or your previous experience in Ignite).

Tips & Tricks

Check out these resources as you put together your application. 

Student and teacher sitting in the classroom

Your Acceptance and Finding a Placement

Yay, you’re accepted! 

Acceptance into Teach For America Ignite means you will have a window prior to starting your tutoring experience  to review student schedules across different communities and time zones and sign up for the student sessions that will work best for your schedule on a consistent basis. Not all fellows will find a time that works for them. If you find this is the case, you're still accepted and may defer to the following term.

In the weeks leading up to your Ignite semester, you will receive an email with specific instructions about how to view and sign up for a student learning group, along with a designated time to log in and link when the window opens. Once you have signed up, you are officially in Ignite! More instructions will follow to prepare you for training and tutoring.

Signing up for placements is first come, first served. You’ll receive up to a $1,200 (pre-tax) stipend upon successful completion of your Ignite term. If you are unable to find a placement that works with your schedule, you may defer to a future term. 

Stay in the Loop

Applications for the fall 2026 cohort open January 28.
Get Notified

If you aren't yet ready to apply or have more questions, you can…