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

(June 2021 – August 2022)

$21,500

Your residency stipend is $21,500 paid over a 13-month period, July 2021-July 2022, equalling $1653.85 per month. One additional stipend may be paid in August 2022, pending summer partnership funds. The stipend is taxable and you will receive a 1099 tax form.

Average Salary for New Teachers

Starting Year 2 of Urban Teachers

(September 2023)

$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:

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.

Central Scholarship Bureau

Eligibility Criteria: Must be a Maryland resident with a GPA of 2.8 or higher and a family income of $90,000 or less.
Benefits: Scholarships and interest-free loans are available.
When to start: Submit your application between January 1 and April 1.

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 1st. We encourage participants to submit applications early. Participants may be eligible for renewal applications in Fellow Years 2 and 3.

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 expected $45,000 in tuition, which is paid in four equal 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.	Approx. $1000	Urban Teachers offers need-based transition funding. Application information is available in April.
Graduate 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 graduate university's healthcare plan.
Rent	Starting in August of the first summer.	$650 (shared) $1200 (single)	Review the Housing Materials in the Participant Portal for assistance with finding housing.
Transportation	Throughout the program.	Varies	Participants’ transportation needs and costs vary. Many participants recommend having access to a car or carpooling with other cohort members.

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. See Baltimore State Testing Requirements for more information.
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.	Approx. $61.25	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 Residency Teacher certification)	Payable before April of Residency year	Varies	Two tests are required for the Residency Teacher certificate: one in subject area and one in Special Education. Special Education (everyone): $130 Early Childhood Education: $120 Elementary: Four exams (ELA, math, science, social studies) at once: $209 Four exams separate: $78 per test Secondary Math: $130 Secondary ELA: Grades 4-9: $156 Grades 7-12: $156
Requirements for Standard Professional Certification	Payable during Fellow Years	Varies	To obtain a Standard Professional Certificate (SPC), participants must also complete pedagogy and reading instruction requirements: edTPA submission for content area certification: $300 Praxis® II Teaching Reading Exam (TRE) for Special Ed Certification: $156

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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