Program Benefits

Urban Teachers participants are eligible to receive the following:

• A total first-year compensation of at least $28,000.

• Required books and materials for the two years that participants are enrolled in the JHU master’s degree program. 
• Room and board at in-person Summer Institute during the first summer of the program (Summer A). After that, housing is the responsibility of the participant (that is, during the Residency year and beyond). 
• Individual health insurance during the Residency year. (See below for additional information regarding the American University health insurance plan.)
• While enrolled in the master’s degree program, participants are eligible for free and confidential counseling and wellness services. Read more about the full range of student support services available to participants here.

STIPEND 

Residents who are not employed by their district or CMO will receive a stipend during their Residency year (Program Year 1) of at least $28,000. Residents who are employed by their district or CMO during their Residency year (i.e., as a teaching assistant or educational aide) are paid a salary directly by the school system. If a district/CMO-employed Resident’s salary is less than $28,000 Urban Teachers will receive a Residency Year Assistance Grant to ensure their total compensation is at least $28,000.

Urban Teachers will disburse stipends and Residency Year Assistance Grants on a monthly basis through Residency year, in equal installments. These will only be disbursed to participants currently enrolled in the program on the date of disbursement. The total number of disbursals and the timing of each monthly disbursal is determined by the site Executive Director and disbursals are distributed accordingly. All participants must complete an IRS W-9 Form to receive the stipend or Residency Year Assistance Grant.

AU STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE

American University requires students to participate in the Student Health Insurance Plan when enrolled full-time, unless students have alternate coverage (possibly through their school district, parents, partners, etc). If Urban Teachers Residents do not have comparable insurance coverage elsewhere, they will automatically be enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan and incur premium costs. Urban Teachers will pay the health insurance premiums for all Residents without comparable coverage. Please view the Student Health Insurance website for more information. 

The 2022-2023 annual premium of $2,178 is automatically assessed to the student account for which Urban Teachers will cover IF RESIDENTS ARE NOT RECEIVING BENEFITS THROUGH THEIR SCHOOL PARTNER. If Residents are covered under their school benefits or another comparable health insurance plan, they should waive the university-sponsored student health insurance plan by submitting proof of coverage through the online waiver process at the beginning of each semester. Information on the waiver is available here.

Participants may purchase dental and vision insurance, as well as health insurance for a spouse, domestic partner, or dependents through American University. Urban Teachers will not cover the additional cost of these plans.

Insurance Information for Summer A
If Residents would like to enroll in health insurance during Summer Institute, they must actively enroll. Information about how to enroll in summer health insurance will be sent directly to new Residents during the onboarding process before Summer Institute.

Important Notes:

• Students must be fully registered in classes before AU will enroll students in Health Insurance.
• Summer Health Insurance ends July 31st, at which point eligible students will need to enroll in health insurance again for the academic year (Fall, Spring, and Summer B).
• Urban Teachers will pay the summer health insurance fee.

Insurance Information for the Academic Year – Fall, Spring, Summer B
Summer health insurance does not roll over into the academic year. Students who would like health insurance again in fall, spring, and Summer B must voluntarily enroll for AU Student Health Insurance. Health insurance begins as early as August 1st, however, students must first enroll in fall classes, before health benefits become available. To avoid a gap in coverage between summer and fall classes, do not delay in enrolling for fall semester.

To Enroll

Any student who wants AU Student Health Insurance must voluntarily enroll no later than September 12. You can find the enrollment form here. Students will need to log-in with their AU credentials. For those who enroll (see note below “Paying for Health Insurance”), Urban Teachers will only cover the cost of the Student Health Insurance Plan. Dental and Vision insurance can be purchased on the Academic Health Plans site. Dental and vision insurance cannot be billed to your student account.

Urban Teachers will cover the cost of the AU insurance plan for students who do not have health insurance benefits through their district/school partners. Students who have questions about whether or not they will receive health insurance through their district partner must connect with site team leadership prior to enrolling in AU's plan.

If students are covered under another comparable health insurance plan (such as through their district), they do not need to fill out the AU waiver form. No action is required.