At no cost, you will have access to:

• Career counseling for veterans by veterans.

• Program coordinators and faculty advisors at each of the Connecticut State Universities.

• Committed veteran mentors from point of enrollment in an educator preparation program through successful employment as a teacher.

• Individualized, professional support in navigating the state’s teacher certification and licensing requirements.

• A support network of aspiring and experienced veteran educators.

• Connections to hiring officials in Connecticut partner districts.

• Financial assistance and incentives ($10,000 maximum):

  • Up to $5,000 stipend to assist with education leading to a teacher certification.

  • Up to $10,000 bonus to teach in an eligible or high need school for three years.

In Connecticut, we need great teachers who represent the breadth of backgrounds, experiences and cultures of our students, and who prepare students to compete and thrive in a changing global society through science, math, technology and world languages.

Veterans increase diversity among teaching staff, which can help reduce the troubling diversity gap between teachers and students. Nationally, veterans who become teachers are 82 percent male and 43 percent from minority backgrounds.

Additionally, school administrators overwhelmingly report that veterans have a positive impact on student achievement and are effective in instruction and classroom management.

Through teaching, veterans continue to fulfill their desire to serve by helping shape the future of our country. Teaching offers you an opportunity to continue a tradition of service.

The skills veterans honed in the military—leadership, initiative, motivation, discipline, integrity, management and the ability to thrive in an ever-changing environment—are a natural fit for the classroom.

Connecticut schools need great teachers, especially those who specialize in special education, bilingual education, career and technical education, library/media studies, and STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and math).

The concepts and approaches at the heart of the STEM disciplines—curiosity, inquiry, creativity, exploration, collaboration and critical thinking—are the skills that will assist students in becoming successful in higher education, in the workplace and as citizens of the world.

There are local and national funding opportunities available for military veterans.

In Connecticut, a variety of tuition waiver and financial aid programs exist to help veterans and other military personnel, including spouses and dependents, attend college. Visit Tuition Aid for Veterans on the Connecticut Office of Higher Education website to learn more and apply.

At the national level through the Yellow Ribbon Program, veterans who attend participating higher education institutions are eligible to earn a postsecondary degree free of charge at public schools, or for significantly reduced rates at private schools. Visit Education and Training on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website for a full list of Connecticut’s participating institutions.

The following schools offer cost offsets to veterans/military families. Click on the links for more info.

• OHE Alternate Route to Certification: Military-connected students receive $2,750 credit toward the $5,500 tuition.
• Sacred Heart University
• Southern Connecticut State University: Veterans are eligible for a 100% tuition waiver as full-time students, and a 50% tuition waiver if part-time.
• University of Connecticut: Veterans and certain members of the CT Air/Army National Guard in good standing who meet criteria are eligible for tuition waivers that cover the cost of accredited undergraduate and graduate programs. 
• Western Connecticut State University: Tuition may be waived for eligible veteran and Air/Army National guard students.

Head over to Programs to learn more about Connecticut's participating educator preparation options.

Pro Tip: Check out Financial Aid & Scholarships for more funding opportunities catered to future teachers (veteran or not).