"Region IV serves almost one million students and has thousands of paraeducators who want to become certified teachers. Because of family responsibilities many are unable to attend a traditional university. This program is a wonderful opportunity for our paraeducators to complete their college degrees online."

-- Dr. Sandra Petersen, retired director of program development, Region IV Education Service Center

"We need to grow more teachers from within, and that means reaching and teaching prospective teachers in new ways. This grant is an attractive solution for the dramatic teacher shortage."

-- Dr. George Ann Rice, associate superintendent, Clark County School District

Western Governors University is pleased to offer the Transition to Teaching Scholarships to those who are interested in becoming certified classroom teachers in high-need schools.

The Transition to Teaching Scholarship program is a partnership between Clark County School District (Las Vegas), the Region 4 Education Service Center (greater Houston area), and the El Paso ISD. The program is funded by a five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education, which will provide over 600 scholarships to the Clark County school district and Region 4 school districts. Through Western Governors University, scholarship recipients will earn their degrees, which lead to teacher licensure in either elementary, mathematics, or science.

WGU provides access to education for people who want to become teachers but who do not have time for traditional education. And, because it is competency-based, many potential teachers have demonstrated skills which will make it possible for them to earn their degrees and certifications more rapidly.

All WGU degrees are delivered completely online and are an excellent opportunity to upgrade skills for your own professional development.

Who Should Apply

• Paraeducators
• Substitute Teachers
• Uncertified Classroom Teachers in Title I Schools

* In El Paso ISD, only substitute teachers with bachelor's degrees are eligible to apply.

AND

• Employed by Clark County School District OR Region 4 Education School District OR El Paso ISD.
• Have at least 60 college credits (or have an associate's or bachelor's degree). If you have a bachelor's degree, any major is acceptable, except a major in Education.

OR

• Mid-career changers with a bachelor's degree (in any subject except education)
• New college graduate having graduated in the past three years (in any subject except education) AND
• Currently reside in Clark County, Nevada or Region 4, TX

Eligible School Districts
Clark County School District

Region 4 Education Service Center school districts (54 Eligible districts)

El Paso ISD

Eligible Degrees and Programs
Programs for Prospective Elementary and Middle School Teachers

BA Interdisciplinary Studies (preK-8)

Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Preparation Program (preK-8)

BA Mathematics (5-9 or 5-12)

BA Science (5-9 or 5-12)

Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Preparation Program-Mathematics (5-12)

Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Preparation Program-Science (5-12)

Perfect for Your Busy Life
As a paraeducator, you face many challenges -- working full time, caring for your family -- all while trying to further your education. Going to a traditional university campus may not work with your schedule.

WGU is a unique, accredited university that grants degrees and certificates based completely on competencies -- your ability to demonstrate your skills and knowledge on a series of assessments carefully selected to measure your knowledge of a field of study -- not on required courses.

• Obtain your degree completely online -- from any location
• Receive recognition for prior work, academic, or life experience through assessment and move through your degree program more quickly
• Avoid taking courses in areas you have already studied
• Study at a time and place convenient to you

About the Scholarship - Paying for Your Education
The Transition to Teaching Scholarship is valued up to $4,000.

For students in the bachelor's degree program, the scholarship will be credited to your account in the amount of $800 per term (five terms maximum). Regular tuition for the bachelor's program is $2,890 per term of six months: $800 will be covered by the scholarship and $2,090 will be the responsibility of the student. Federal financial aid is available for those who qualify.

For students in the post-baccalaureate program, the scholarship will be credited to your account in the amount of $1,000 (three terms maximum). Regular tuition for the post-baccalaureate program is $2,890 per term of six months: $1000 will be covered by the scholarship and $1,890 will be the responsibility of the student. Federal financial aid is available for those who qualify.

As an added benefit to Transition to Teaching scholarship recipients, a portion of the Demonstration Teaching fee or Teaching Internship fee will be covered by the grant - in addition to the scholarship amount. Of the Demonstration Teaching fees, $500 will be covered, and $1,000 in Teaching Internship fees will be covered.

Tuition is billed at the beginning of each term. The scholarship does not cover the $25 non-refundable application fee for Transition to Teaching applicants ($65 for all other students), the $50 non-refundable annual library fee, the cost of books, or course materials.

You will NOT need to apply for the scholarship every year. The purpose of the scholarship is to help support your program for up to five terms, or 2 and a half years.

The scholarship is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, thus, requires that you teach in a high-need school for three years after graduation. View a listing of high-need schools in your district for 2003-2003.

Federal Financial Aid
You are encouraged to apply for federal financial aid. You can use the scholarship AND federal financial aid to pay for your educational expenses. Detailed information on financial aid can be found at http://www.wgu.edu/tuition_financial_aid/aid.asp.

NOTE: If you already have applied for Federal Financial Aid for this academic year, call 1-800-4FEDAID (1-800-433-3243) and add the WGU School Code to your application. The WGU School Code is 033394.

Since you will be teaching in a high-need school, you may want to consider the Loan Cancellation program for Teachers. If may be possible for you to cancel or defer your student loans. (See the Department of Education Web site for more on the loan cancellation program for teachers).

More Information
Phone:
Travis Oliver, Enrollment Counselor
Toll-free: 1-866-225-5948, ext. 117

E-mail:
toliver@wgu.edu

Fax:
For immediate review of your scholarship application, please fax unofficial transcripts to WGU.

801-274-3305
Attn: Transition to Teaching/Travis Oliver