• In Connecticut, we need great teachers who represent the breadth of our students' backgrounds, experiences, and cultures and who, through science, math, technology and world languages, prepare students to compete and thrive in a changing global society.
• Veterans bring greater diversity to teaching staff, helping to bridge the troubling gap between teachers' and students' demographics. Nationwide, 82 percent of veterans who transition into teaching are male, and 43 percent are from diverse backgrounds.
• Additionally, school administrators overwhelmingly report that veterans positively impact 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 you 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.

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 can earn a postsecondary degree free of charge at public schools or for significantly reduced rates at private schools. Visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website for a list of Connecticut’s participating institutions.

The following schools offer cost offsets to veterans and military families:

• OHE Alternate Route to Certification: Military-connected students receive $3,500 credit toward the $7,000 tuition.
• Sacred Heart University
• Southern Connecticut State University: Veterans are eligible for a 100 percent tuition waiver during the fall and spring semesters and a 50 percent waiver during winter session, spring break and summer semesters.
• University of Connecticut: Veterans and certain members of the CT Air/Army National Guard in good standing who meet the criteria are eligible for tuition waivers that cover the cost of accredited undergraduate and graduate programs. 
• Western Connecticut State University: Veterans and Air/Army National Guard students are eligible for a 100 percent tuition waiver during the fall and spring semesters and a 50 percent waiver during winter session, spring break and summer semesters.

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).