Noyce Scholarship FAQs
>> I'm interested in the Virginia Teach Program, but I don't want to be forced to move to a particular city or county in order to teach in a high-needs school.
You may be surprised at the number and location of schools that qualify as "high-needs" for the Virginia Teach Noyce Scholarship Program. A school district is classified as high-need if there is at least one school in that district whose percentage of students eligible for free or reduced lunch exceeds 50%. Within that district, an eligible school is one that serves grades 7-12 and whose percentage of students eligible for free or reduced lunch exceeds 33%. Districts can also be classified as high-need based on a high teacher attrition rate (greater than 15% over the past three years) or based on a high out-of-field teaching rate (greater than 34%). The map below shows the eligible districts in Virginia based only on free and reduced lunch eligibility. Counties in black are ineligible. A list of eligible schools by district can be found here.
>> I grew up in a middle-class environment. I'm not sure how comfortable I'll be teaching in a high-needs school.
Part of the Noyce Scholarship Program is to prepare teachers for a high-needs environment. In addition to regular course work, the Virginia Teach program includes colloquia addressing student concerns and job-placement assistance to make sure teachers are placed in districts that are a good match for their personalities, educational philosophies, and geographical preferences. Scholars will benefit from yearly trips to the VCTM conference during which they can meet dedicated inspiring teachers throughout the state. Most importantly, students in the Virginia Teach program will gain experience and mentorship from working in a closer relationship with teachers in high-needs schools and Virginia Tech faculty throughout their preparation.
>>What if I'm not currently a math major at Virginia Tech?
The Noyce Scholarship Program is designed to encourage students with strong math and science backgrounds to teach in our high-needs public schools. In order for a student to become eligible for the Virginia Teach program, the student must be a math major by their junior year at Virginia Tech. Students in engineering or science programs may be able to change their major to math or double major without much additional course work. Students at other colleges or universities would need to transfer to Virginia Tech by the beginning of their junior year. Please contact Katy Ulrich or Sue Hagen for more detailed information about the program requirements and the possibility of transferring or changing majors.
Other Scholarship Opportunities
In addition to the Virginia Teach Noyce Scholarship and Internship programs, there are several opportunities for interested students to obtain partial funding for their expenses while they progress toward achieving their certification in Mathematics Education.
Virginia Teaching Scholarship Loan Program (VTSLP)
Students must be at or beyond the sophomore year (including graduate years), possess a QCA of at least 2.7, and be a resident of Virginia. Eligible students may receive a scholarship-loan for as much as $3720. Upon completion of the teacher preparation program, the scholarship recipient must teach continuously in a public school in Virginia for the same number of years that he received the scholarship.
The application process begins in the spring semester, when students are nominated by their departments for the award. Please email Andy Norton by January 31 if you would like to be considered for this nomination.
VCTM Scholarship Program
The Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics offers several scholarships to prospective math teachers. Candidates must be Virginia residents, full-time students at a Virginia college or university, enrolled in a degree-seeking program with a concentration or major in mathematics. Candidates must plan to teach in Virginia upon graduation at either the elementary, middle, high, or college level. Please visit vctm.org to download your application materials.
Higher Education Teacher Assistance Program
This scholarship is for $2000 and is need-based. Any student interested in teaching with a QCA of at least 2.5 is eligible. All you have to do to apply is to email Andy Norton and let him know that you would like to be considered. This scholarship is not limited to math majors, and underclassmen are eligible, although preference will be given to juniors or seniors who have already been accepted into the education program. The deadline for submitting your name is October 31.
Knowles Science Teaching Foundation 2013 Teaching Fellowships
Applications are now being accepted for one of the most generous and comprehensive teaching fellowships available for individuals committed to becoming professional high school science or mathematics teachers. KSTF Teaching Fellowships provide up to five years of financial and professional support to exceptional individuals as they begin their careers teaching in U.S. high schools.
Applications open September 2014. Apply online here
Virginia Space Grant Consortium STEM Scholarship
This organization provides several scholarships for undergraduate students in Mathematics and Sciences, including a $1,000 Teacher Education Scholarship. More information here.