TLEL Financial Assistance
Binghamton University and TLEL provide a number of financial assistance opportunities to help students cover a portion of their full cost of attendance. Please note that students must be accepted into a TLEL program to be considered, and some of these opportunities are available only to domestic students. To calculate the cost of attendance prior to financial assistance, you can read about Binghamton University's tuition and fees here. Please reach out to TLEL Student Services at tlelss@binghamton.edu for more information.
Clifford D. Clark Diversity Fellowships
To be considered for the competitive Clark Fellowships, students should mark their interest on their graduate applications. Students must also complete the Clark Fellowship application, an essay and be nominated by their academic department. Applications should be submitted by December 15. Learn more about the fellowship and eligibility requirements.
Substitutes with a Purpose (SWAP) Program
This unique opportunity allows students to gain meaningful experiences through paid substitute teaching twice a week in the district where they will complete their fieldwork requirements. Through this program, students will establish connections and relationships with local school districts, gain experience by providing instruction, and manage the learning environment.
Students must be available to provide instruction and manage the learning environment in the absence of a classroom teacher for two days a week when the BT BOCES school districts are in session. This does not include Binghamton University's winter recess. Students will also be expected to report to the mentor teacher one day each week (or the equivalent) to observe, teach small group lessons, and provide assistance in daily classroom routines. The position reports to the principal and mentor teacher at the assigned location. Contact the Field Education Office if interested.
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
The TEACH grant provides up to $4,000 per year for matriculated graduate students pursuing their first master's degree who also intend to teach full-time in high-need subject areas for at least 4 years at schools serving students of low-income families. Learn more about the TEACH grant.
Application Procedures for Graduate/Teaching Assistant Positions
All eligible applicants for admission are considered for assistantship positions within the academic area that they are applying to during the admissions process. The department evaluates all of their existing and incoming graduate students and then decides who to award an assistantship to. Essentially everyone that is eligible for admission along with current students are considered for assistantships.
America Reads and America Counts
Binghamton University has participated in America Reads since 1997, and in America Counts since 2002. These initiatives of the U.S. Department of Education fund work-study positions at Binghamton for about 12 graduate students each year. Working 10 hours/week during the academic year, these students experience the satisfaction of having a positive impact on children who struggle with literacy or mathematics.
Through America Reads, graduate students provide one-on-one tutoring and/or small-group instruction to K-6 elementary school children who read below grade level. Graduate students also may provide literacy services to parents and caregivers in local schools and communities. Locations for tutoring vary from year to year, depending on interests and needs of the graduate student tutors. Each year, America Reads employs eight graduate students and serves about 100 children.
Through America Counts, graduate students provide assistance to students who have difficulty learning mathematics. Graduate students generally work in a high-need middle school. America Counts employs three or four graduate students and reaches about 75 children each year.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and apply online through HireBing.
Additional Financial Assistance Opportunities
More financial assistance opportunities are available through the Graduate School and the University financial aid office.
For additional questions about financial opportunities, email TLEL Student Services at tlelss@binghamton.edu.
