Finances in Baltimore

Baltimore is a great place to teach and live. Participants can make a great living as highly-effective teachers in the district! The career pathways model used in Baltimore City Schools allows teachers to take control of their career within a system of professional development and salary growth.

BENEFITS

Residency Stipend

Year 1 of Urban Teachers

$20,000

Paid in 13 equal installments, starting at the end of July 2020. The stipend is taxable and you will receive a 1099 tax form.

Average Salary for New Teachers

Starting Year 2 of Urban Teachers

$48,000-50,000

Teacher salaries may vary based on school placement and participants’ prior experience.

Average Salary for Baltimore City Public School Teachers

$51,000-68,000

Experienced and effective teachers may earn $80,000+ by moving up in the career pathway model.

Baltimore participants also may be eligible for the following scholarships, loan programs, and financial supports:

Central Scholarship Bureau

Eligibility Criteria: GPA above a 2.0 and are a student from Maryland. If you haven’t been a Maryland resident for at least one year, but you live within 200 miles of Baltimore City, you can still apply.
Benefits: Up to $10,000 annually in grants or interest-free loans.
When to start: Submit your application between January 1 and April 1. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Janet L. Hoffman Loan Repayment Program

Eligibility Criteria:

By School: Teachers at any level or subject field who teach in Title I schools (or certain schools identified for improvement by MSDE); OR
By Certification: Teachers in high-needs fields including special education and secondary math (see website for complete list).

Benefits: Amount determined by overall debt and renewal applications, but can be up to a maximum of $30,000. Awards may be distributed annually over a three year period, as long as the recipient remains eligible.
When to Start: Submit initial application in the second summer of the program. Applications typically open in July and close in October. We encourage participants to submit applications early. Participants may be eligible for renewal applications in Fellow Years 2 and 3.

Baltimore City Public Schools Tuition Reimbursement

Eligibility Criteria: City Schools staff pursuing graduate courses who meet the grade requirement of ‘B’ or better. Teachers with less than five years of continuous service receiving tuition reimbursement shall be required to remain an employee of BCPS for two school years following receipt of tuition reimbursement.
Benefits: 75% reimbursement on tuition expenses, for a maximum of 12 credit hours per school year.
When to start: Applications are due near the beginning of each semester. Submission of proof of grades and payment are due at the end of each semester. Refer to the City Schools website for exact deadlines and application information.

Maryland Tuition Tax Credit

Eligibility Criteria: Current classroom teacher with course grades of ‘B’ or better, satisfactory performance evaluation, and not reimbursed by the local school system for tuition paid.
Benefits: $1,500 tuition tax credit to offset graduate tuition expenses
When to start: Reach out to MSDE prior to Fellow Year 1 (Program Year 2) for more information.

Housing Support

Live Baltimore—Resources and incentives for renting and buying in Baltimore.
Teacher Props-- Lists affordable rowhomes specifically for teachers to rent.
The following companies also offer discounts and incentives for teachers: Miller’s Court, Union Mill, and Southern Management.
ReBuild Metro - Rental properties and homes for sale in several neighborhoods, including Johnston Square. They have programs for home buying.

COSTS

As a participant of Urban Teachers, you are responsible for the $40,000 in tuition, which is paid in four equal $10,000 installments over the two years of the master’s program. Tuition is billed during the fall and spring semesters of the residency year (Program Year 1) and Fellows year 1 (Program Year 2). Participants are encouraged to pursue financial aid and other financial resources, if interested. Participants are also responsible for all costs and deadlines associated with certification and hiring.

Anticipated categories and expenses include, but are not limited to:

Moving Costs	Incurred during the move to Baltimore and transition at the end of the first summer.	Around $1000	Urban Teachers offers need-based Emergency Transition Funding. Application information is available in April.
Johns Hopkins University Healthcare	Throughout the first year of the program.	Covered for participants (if needed)	Dental and Vision plans are not covered, but are made available to participants through the JHU Student Health Insurance Plan.
Rent	Starting in August of the first summer.	$600 (shared) $1200 (single)	Housing during the first summer of the program is covered by Urban Teachers.
Transportation	Throughout the program.	Varies	Participants’ transportation needs and costs vary. Many participants recommend having access to a car.

State Tests (Required for enrollment)	Payable during Spring enrollment.	Free - $150	Costs vary by individuals’ needs. Urban Teachers offers financial assistance for these tests for those who need it.
Undergraduate/graduate degree transcripts	Payable during Spring enrollment.	Varies	Incoming participants will likely need to submit 2-3 undergraduate transcripts as well as one copy from all other schools attended (transfer, graduate).
Fingerprinting and Background Check	Payable during Spring enrollment and first summer of program.	Around $52.75	Site team will notify participants of requirements.
TB Test	Completed during Spring enrollment and first summer of the program.	Free option available	Site team will notify participants of location.
Praxis® II Tests (Required for certification)	Payable during Residency Year and Fellow Years.	Tests typically are $120-146 each	Two tests are required for Residency Teacher certificate: one in subject area and one in Special Education. To obtain a Standard Professional certificate, participants must also take tests in pedagogy, one in reading instruction.

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Please Note: This information relied on existing information at the time of its publication. Costs may vary from what is written above. Staff will update this page and reach out to participants with more information as it becomes available.

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