Paying for Masters in Physics Secondary Ed.?

[WalterND14]

Hi all,

I've applied and been accepted to graduate programs in secondary education in physics/math. I will have a B.S. in physics by May, so the graduate degree is to give me the credentials to be certified to teach. My question is, do any of you know of scholarships or other ways that I can pay for the graduate education?

While I'm totally happy with the fact that as a teacher I will likely not ever have lots of money, I also understand the math behind loans and don't want to dig too deep a hole...the programs I've applied to haven't been very helpful - most have said the aid aspect of things is the business of the financial aid department and not theirs. I've heard that some school districts will help you pay back the loan when you start teaching (even if you earned it before teaching) - can anyone confirm this? It seems to me for some odd reason there isn't much support from the actual universities for a masters of education degree, so I either grit my teeth and take the loans or find something else. Any help you all can provide would be wonderful.

Thank you!

 

[Dustinsfl]

Most districts forgive some student loans (not sure amount) if you work there for 5 years. If you do a MS in Physics or Math or Math Physics and not Second Ed Phy/Math, you should get a TA or RA. That would cover generally 3 classes a semester, require grading or teaching or running a lab class or doing research but would then pay you about 1600 a month as well. Maybe you can look in the Second Ed options if you want to paid to show up. Plus, you can still teach with that degree as well.

 

[martane]

Hi there,

Congratulations on being accepted into graduate programs in secondary education! That's a great accomplishment. As for paying for your graduate education, have you looked into any scholarships specifically for education or STEM fields? Many organizations offer scholarships for graduate students pursuing careers in teaching or science-related fields. It's worth doing some research and applying for any that you qualify for.

In terms of loans, it's definitely important to be mindful of the amount you borrow and the repayment terms. Have you considered looking into federal student loans, which typically have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options? Also, some school districts do offer loan forgiveness programs for teachers, so it's worth looking into that as well.

I agree with you that it's unfortunate that there isn't more support from universities for a masters in education degree. It's definitely a valuable and important field, and it would be great to see more financial support for those pursuing it. In the meantime, I wish you the best of luck in finding ways to finance your education. Don't give up, and keep searching for opportunities! Best of luck to you.