What type of person is a good candidate for a KSTF Teaching Fellowship?
KSTF Teaching Fellows are individuals with a strong background in mathematics or science who demonstrate a commitment to improving high school science and mathematics education in the United States. An ideal candidate can demonstrate leadership and achievement in past endeavors, has experience with adolescents and/or teaching, and can articulate his/her motivation for becoming a teacher. (See Criteria.)

Is the fellowship need-based?
KSTF Teaching Fellowships are NOT awarded based on need (financial or otherwise), but rather on ability and promise.

Individuals are eligible to apply for a Teaching Fellowship if they will have earned at least a bachelor's degree in a biological science, physical science, mathematics or engineering before the fellowship begins in June.

Candidates for Physical Science, Mathematics, or Biological Science Teaching Fellowships must enroll in a secondary teacher credential program before the fellowship is awarded. Individuals who have completed the fourth year of a five-year combined bachelor's and credential program by the start of the fellowship are also eligible to apply. Those who are currently enrolled in a teacher education program and will be first-year teachers in fall also are welcome to apply. 

Am I eligible if I am not a U.S. citizen, or if my bachelor's degree is not from a college or university in the United States?
Individuals who are not citizens or who hold degrees from outside the United States are still eligible. However, they must be committed to teaching science or mathematics in U.S. high schools.

Do you only accept recent college graduates?
Applicants must be within five years of their most recent degree in science, engineering or mathematics. However, some of our fellows have recently completed master's or doctoral degrees. The fellowship is not intended for individuals who have long-established careers and are considering a career change to teaching.

Am I eligible if I have no previous teaching experience or prior coursework in education?
Yes. Individuals with no formal education coursework or experience in teaching are encouraged to apply. The Fellowship is intended to attract individuals with strong mathematics or science backgrounds into the teaching profession.

What if I am already teaching?
New teachers who are not yet certified, but are working on coursework leading to a teaching license, are eligible to apply. KSTF offers up to two years of tuition assistance for coursework leading to certification, even for teachers who are studying part-time. However, only full-time students receive a monthly stipend.

What if I have already started a teacher education program?
Individuals currently enrolled in a teacher education program recognized by the U.S. Department of Education are still eligible to apply. However, fellowships can only be awarded to individuals who are still working toward teacher certification, or who receive their credential in the fall or spring semester before the fellowship begins.

What if I already have my teaching certificate?
Certified math or science teachers are not eligible for KSTF Teaching Fellowships.

Why aren't certified teachers eligible to apply?
KSTF Teaching Fellowships are designed to attract highly qualified individuals into the teaching profession. KSTF offers tuition assistance for a master's degree if it is earned in conjunction with a teaching credential; however, the fellowship is not intended for graduate work beyond certification. There are other funding sources available for certified teachers who wish to earn a master's degree.

What if I have been teaching under an emergency certification?
Teachers working under emergency certification who wish to earn their full teaching credential are eligible to apply.