State Program Offers Financial Support For Future Teachers

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Applications are being taken for a new state scholarship program aimed at those entering the teaching profession. Lake Michigan College Associate Dean of Regional Campuses Jeremy Burleson tells us the Mi Future Educator Fellowship program would provide $10,000 scholarships for college students and $9,600 per-semester stipends for student teachers. He says this is a new program.

“This is one of the first times that I’ve ever heard of a state offering money specifically for students going into the education field,” Burleson said.

Burleson says at a time when not many young people want to enter the teaching profession, this program will be an incentive.

“Essentially, students who are going into the education field have the opportunity to receive a $10,000 scholarship, which would help pay for tuition and fees at whatever four-year school in Michigan that they’re trying to go to.”

In addition to the $10,000 scholarships for prospective teachers, Burleson says it’s helpful the program offers student teachers, who are usually unpaid, that $9,600 stipend. While LMC does not get many students interested in becoming teachers, he hopes incentive programs like this could lead to more, and that eventually, LMC can cater to them.

The Mi Future Educator Fellowship offers aspiring teachers a scholarship while they train to be educators. Awards cover the cost of tuition and fees up to $10,000 and are renewable for up to three years. Students that receive the award commit to teaching in a Michigan classroom for at least three years after graduation. We have a link to more information at our website. You can apply for the program right here.