Instead of sitting behind a desk, your loved one will be at the head of a classroom, making a profound and immediate impact on the lives of students. Corps members tackle real-world challenges and grow every day as problem solvers and leaders. The insight and conviction gained during the corps experience shapes values and beliefs, fuels careers, and leaves a lasting impression. The experience prepares people to be leaders in any field and to be advocates in the fight for equity and opportunity.

Your loved one will have the opportunity to research their regional choices throughout the process. After they are invited to interview, they will finalize their placement community selection(s). During their research, they'll be asked to reflect on the factors most important to them in a placement community, compare factors (like cost of living and master's degree options), and eventually finalize one required placement community and up to two additional options that meet their needs. They will then submit their placement community selection(s) and subject preferences.

The stakes for our students are incredibly high, and so we take corps member training and development very seriously. We help corps members become strong classroom and community leaders through a rigorous summer training program and extensive coaching, professional development, and other resources throughout the corps experience. Learn more about training and support.

Teach For America will not directly provide housing. Corps members have the opportunity to utilize helpful resources and leverage their regional team members to locate their own housing in the community where they will teach in the fall.

Teach For America provides every incoming corps member with a baseline stipend of $3,000–$6,500 (amount varies by region). This stipend is designed to help with living expenses during summer training, which is unpaid. It can also help cover essential upfront costs such as rent, transportation, or licensure exams. The baseline stipend is automatically disbursed before Pre-Service training begins. In addition, Corps members with additional financial need may qualify and/or apply for supplemental support.

There are different ways to pay for the coursework required to teach in a specific region. In many cases, our regional offices have established relationships with local universities that offer reduced tuition for corps members. In some regions, you can qualify for tuition exemption based on the fact that you’re a teacher. In other regions, you must pay for classes up front.



Explore our regions for more information.

All corps members take part in training designed to ensure they understand the emergency policies and procedures in place at their schools and university sites. Regions may deliver additional training tailored to the specifics of their communities.

Teach For America is currently a member of AmeriCorps, the national service network. If AmeriCorps benefits are available during your service, corps members may qualify for support such as federal student loan forbearance, interest accrual payments, or an education award during the two years of service.

Those who have not previously received AmeriCorps awards may receive an education award. This may be used toward future educational costs AmeriCorps benefits are not guaranteed, as they depend on federal funding and program approval. 

Many graduate schools and employers actively recruit and offer special benefits to TFA corps members and alumni because they recognize that participating in the corps is a challenging experience that builds incredible skills and a commitment to social justice.

After completing their commitment, corps members are considered alumni of Teach For America. They are part of a diverse network of incredible change agents—career educators, civil rights attorneys, ed-tech entrepreneurs, socially conscious CEOs, and many more—who are working to end educational inequity and create opportunity nationwide.