Finances in Dallas

In Dallas, the fastest-growing U.S. metro region, participants have great opportunities for impact in the classroom and for involvement in the vibrant community. It is recognized as a great city for teachers, where your salary will go the furthest.

BENEFITS

Residency Salary

Year 1 of Urban Teachers

Starting at $20,000-25,000

Instead of receiving a stipend from Urban Teachers, almost all participants receive a salary directly from the school they are placed at during residency year.

Residency stipend/salaries may vary based on school placement.

Average Salary for New Teachers

Starting Year 2 of Urban Teachers

$53,000-54,000

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

DISD also offers recruitment bonuses to teachers in critical shortage areas once they are hired as a first year teacher.

Average Salary for Dallas School Teachers

$50,500-65,500

Teachers are eligible for pay increases based on their Effectiveness Level. Exemplary teachers may earn $80,000 or more.

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

Teach for Texas Loan Repayment Program

This program is not taking on any additional applications as of the SY18-19 year due to budget cuts. We will be monitoring to see what the future holds for this resource.

Eligibility Criteria: Be in at least your second year as a full-time, certified teacher either in a shortage teaching field or teach in a shortage community.
Benefits: Up to $2,500 loan repayment assistance
Note: Shortage communities are identified annually by the Texas Commissioner of Education and are not based on Title I designation. Additionally, to be eligible you must have an outstanding balance that is not currently being repaid through another loan repayment program.

Math and Science Scholars Loan Repayment Program

Eligibility Criteria: Have earned a 3.0 or higher GPA in an undergraduate or graduate program in math or science. Be a full-time, certified teacher in math or science at a Title I school at the time of application. Agree to teach math or science at a Title I school in Texas for at least four years.
Benefits: Up to $5,000 loan repayment assistance
Note: A generalist certification is not an eligible certificate type. Additional awards may be available by teaching math or science at any Texas public school for up to four additional years. A teacher may not receive any other state or federal loan repayment assistance, including a Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant or teacher loan forgiveness.

Housing Support

Say Yes to Dallas—All about living in Dallas.
Homes for Texas Heroes-- Down payment help for Texas Teachers.

COSTS

As a participant of Urban Teachers, you are responsible for the expected $45,000 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 Dallas and transition at the end of the first summer.	Around $1000	Urban Teachers offers need-based Relocation Grants. 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.	$800 (shared) $1400 (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. Most participants recommend having access to a car.

State Tests (Required for enrollment)	Payable during Spring enrollment.	Around $118	Costs vary by individuals’ needs. Urban Teachers may offer financial assistance for these tests. You may also be eligible for testing reimbursements from Teach DFW if you had a Teach DFW account before you completed your Urban Teachers application.
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). You may also be eligible for testing reimbursements from Teach DFW if you had a Teach DFW account before you completed your Urban Teachers application.
Fingerprinting and Background Check	Payable during Spring enrollment and first summer of the program.	Around $48.00	Site team will notify participants of requirements.
TExES™ Tests (Required for certification)	Payable during Residency Year.	Around $357	At least three tests are required: one in pedagogy and professional responsibilities, one in Special Education, and one in English as a Second Language.
Certification Fees	Payable in the second summer and third summer of the program.	$50-75 each	Participants obtain their Probationary Certificate prior to Program Year 2 and Standard Certificate prior to Program Year 3.

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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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