AWSNA Teacher Training Fund - Why Waldorf Works

Teacher Education Loansand Grants ProgramSummaryIntroductionSpring 2009The Association of WaldorfSchools of North America (AWSNA)is a non-profit organization whosepurpose is to strengthen and supportWaldorf schools and teachereducation institutes throughoutNorth America. One aspect of this isproviding financial assistance topeople training to be Waldorfteachers in the United States,Canada, and Mexico. Theseprograms are made possible bycontributions to AWSNA frommember and sponsored schools andinstitutes, and by grants fromvarious foundations, including theWaldorf Education Foundation, theWaldorf Schools Fund and theMichael Foundation.We are pleased to be able tooffer two programs for thispurpose:1. Teacher Education LoansProgram, in which funds that areborrowed from AWSNA can beforgiven if graduates of educationprograms teach in AWSNA- orWECAN-affiliated Waldorf schools.2. Currently PracticingTeacher (CPT) Matching GrantProgram for people already teachingin AWSNA- or WECAN-affiliatedschools as they pursue their training,in which AWSNA provides outrightgrants that are matched by the schoolat which the applicant is teaching.1. Teacher Education Loans ProgramThis program is designed for studentscompleting their Waldorf teachereducation programs, with theintention of becoming full-timeWaldorf teachers at AWSNA- orWECAN-affiliated Waldorf schools inNorth America.o Foundation year students arenot eligible for these funds.o The amount of the loans varieseach year and depends on thefunding available. The rangeof loans is $400 to $3500, with amedian of $700.o Funds are distributed as a loan,repayable to AWSNA. Eachconsecutive year that therecipient works three-quarter tofull-time at an AWSNAaffiliatedWaldorf school (orWECAN-affiliated earlychildhood program) upongraduation, one-third of theoriginal loan amount will beforgiven.o Loans are interest-free duringstudy and while working fulltimeas a Waldorf teacher.Failure to complete thetraining, or to teach full time ata school as described aboveupon graduation, will cause theloan to become due andpayable, as described in theTeacher Education Fund loancontract.How to Applyo Students apply for AWSNAteacher education loans directlythrough the educationalinstitute they are attending.

Please contact the registraror financial officer for anapplication. Yourapplication will be reviewedby the institute andsubmitted along with otherapplications for the fundsallocated to that institution.o Application deadlines are setby the institute, but aregenerally set in late May forfall enrollment. Consultyour institute for exact datesfor application and awardnotification. Funds aredistributed directly to theinstitute as tuition payments.2. Currently Practicing TeacherMatching Grant ProgramThis program is designed forindividuals currently working inAWSNA-affiliated Waldorf schoolswho are completing the courseworkfor a Waldorf teaching certificate.o All grants are contingent ona matching grant from theschool at which the grantrecipient teaches.o Grants range from $170 to$3000, with a median of $500.oWhere the combined total ofAWSNA and school matchinggrants does not reach 100% oftuition, applicants may alsoapply for a teacher educationloan with the approval of theteacher-training institute.How to Applyo Students apply for AWSNAcurrently-practicing-teachergrants directly through theeducational institute they areattending. Please contact theregistrar or financial officer foran application. Yourapplication will be reviewed bythe institute and submittedalong with other applicationsfor the funds allocated to thatinstitution.o The application must beaccompanied by a letter fromthe school where the applicantteaches, specifying themaximum amount of matchingfunds the school will commit.o Application deadlines are setby the institute, but aregenerally set in late May for fallenrollment. Consult yourinstitute for exact dates forapplication and awardnotification. Funds aredistributed directly to theinstitute as tuition payments.Updated April 2009