Looking for ways to pay for your education?
The federal government and the state government fund many programs to help students become scientists and science teachers. Read on to find out about scholarships, loans, and other assistance programs available to Buffalo State physics students.
Scholarships for all incoming physics freshman
Buffalo State S-STEM Scholarships: If you are an incoming freshman in Science, Engineering, Technology or Mathematics (or are interested in teaching any of these subjects), these scholarships provide up to $4,000/year of scholarship for up to four years. First time college students with a minimum of three years of high school science (four years preferred) are eligible. Information at http://www.buffalostate.edu/connectwithscience/x473.xml
Scholarships for physics juniors and seniors
US Dept of Ed SMART Grants:Two years of up to $4,000/year true grants for any physics major with demonstrable financial need (you must complete FAFSA and be Pell grant-eligible). You must have a 3.0 gpa and be registered in courses that are part of the physics major. Part time students eligible (prorated) after 2009-10. See details at http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/SmartGrants.jsp and if you believe you are eligible contact Buffalo State Financial Aid at http://www.buffalostate.edu/financialaid/x525.xml
Scholarships for prospective physics teachers
If you are thinking about teaching, there are several opportunities to help pay for college. Here are some programs:
US Department of Education TEACH grants: Up to four years of undergrad or two years of masters degree study leading to physics teaching at up to $4,000/year. Financial need is not necessary (but FAFSA completion is), and this grant is actually a FORGIVABLE LOAN with a service obligation: The recipient is expected to spend four years teaching in a high needs school within eight years of completing the degree program. Part time students are eligible (pro-rated) and a gpa of 3.25 is required. More information at the Department of Education website http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/TEACH.jsp and Buffalo State Financial Aid at http://www.buffalostate.edu/financialaid/x525.xml
NYSED HS Math and Science Teacher Scholarships: covers about $4,500/year of tuition paid directly to NYS institution for up to four years of undergraduate or one year of graduate study leading to initial teacher certification. Intended for traditional and nontraditional candidates. Forgiven if the recipient works for 5yrs in NYS as a HS Math or Science Teacher. More info at http://www.hesc.com/Content.nsf/
SFC/583E21751F505E45852571E3004B2208.Noyce Fellowships for new K-12 Math and Science Teachers: Tuition and living stipend of either $8,500/year for two years undergraduate study or $10,000/yr for one year of graduate study leading to initial teacher certification. Intended for those switching majors or careers to teaching from regular STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering or Math) fields and majors. Awarded directly to recipient; forgiven if recipient works in a "High Needs" K-12 school as a STEM teacher. See http://www.buffalostate.edu/physics/noyce/.
US Federal Student Loan Forgiveness for certain K-12 school teachers: $17,500 or less of U.S. federal (Perkins and Stafford) student loan forgiveness for those loans leading to teacher certification as a math, science, or special education teacher. Loans are forgiven over a five year period for five years of service in "High Needs" K-12 schools as a STEM or special education teacher. Intended for traditional STEM education program candidates. See http://www.ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/GEN0414.html.
Knowles Science Teaching Foundation (KTSF) Fellowships: An extremely competitive program providing up to $10,000 annually of tuition assistance and stipend for students who already have a bachelors in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, or math) and are within 5 years of their bachelor's degree in a STEM field.
In-service Physics Teacher Professional Development and Support:
If you are already teaching and want support for further education or teaching materials, there's money available. Here are some examples:
US Department of Education TEACH grants: Up to four years of undergrad or two years of masters degree study leading to physics teaching at up to $4,000/year. Financial need is not necessary (but FAFSA completion is), and this grant is actually a FORGIVABLE LOAN with a service obligation: The recipient is expected to spend four years teaching in a high needs school within eight years of completing the degree program. Part time students are eligible (pro-rated) and a gpa of 3.25 is required. More information at the Department of Education website http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/TEACH.jsp and Buffalo State Financial Aid at http://www.buffalostate.edu/financialaid/x525.xml
US Dept of Education Federal No Child Left Behind Title II funds: most U.S. school districts are eligible for USDOE local Title II funds to purchase training materials, and to support teachers earning advanced degrees that enable teachers to provide more effective instruction in core academic subjects. You must press your administration to file for such support; see the detailed materials at the ASU modeling physics project http://modeling.asu.edu/MW_nation.html. That ASU modeling physics Web site also lists summer workshops for physics teachers, usually awarding graduate credit.
National summer physics workshop and course opportunities: A short list of both funded and unfunded summer opportunities for the summer 2007 season can be found at http://physicsed.buffalostate.edu/pubs/WebSights/2006-7/05-2007/TPTMay07WebSightsDraft1.htm, and these are frequently multi-year or institutionalized efforts repeated year to year. Such are routinely published in AAPT journals such as the Physics teacher and on the AAPT homepage http://www.aapt.org.
PTEC.org Opportunities database: A database of funded research experiences for physics teachers is maintained by the Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PTEC); click on opportunities and search by region. http://ptec.org/
