The Teacher Connect program at UWA partners with school systems to help teachers and aspiring teachers complete education degrees online while qualifying for a tuition scholarship of up to $50 per credit hour. It can be applied to all 35 online education programs for certification (undergraduate and graduate level) at UWA. If you would like to become a teacher or increase your marketability as a teacher, you could be eligible for a scholarship that will make your education more affordable.
For inquiries on becoming a partnering school system please email teacherconnect@uwa.edu.
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About Us
UWA is located in the heart of Livingston on the western border of the state. As one of the oldest and most prestigious colleges in Alabama, we’ve been helping students pursue their dreams and goals since 1835. Join more than 3,000 online learners and take advantage of our tradition of excellence with our flexible online programs.
Eligibility
Students enrolled with UWA prior to the introduction of Teacher Connect must meet the following criteria in order to convert to the program:
Students must be pursuing an online education degree with teacher certification.
Work in a school system participating in Teacher Connect.
Cumulative and program GPA must be 3.0 or higher.
Students cannot have holds on their student accounts or owe any balances.
Students must be in good standing with the university.
Students’ school system must approve their participation in the program.
The Teacher Connect Scholarship will not apply to any repeated coursework.
Students starting a new degree with UWA must:
Work in a school system participating in Teacher Connect.
Meet all Teacher Connect deadlines as published on the Connect Calendar.
Meet any prerequisites established by their school system.
Once in Teacher Connect, participants must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA throughout the program.
Once a Teacher Connect participant begins a new program, he or she will have 24 months to complete degree requirements.
Connect Calendar
Register and submit scholarship request no later than the date shown below to receive this scholarship.*
Online Term
Fall One 2021
Fall Two 2021
Spring One 2022
Spring Two 2022
Summer One 2022
Summer Two 2022
Connect Deadline*
AUG 5, 2021
SEP 1, 2021
DEC 30, 2021
MAR 3, 2022
MAY 5, 2022
JUN 13, 2022
* The Instructional Leadership programs (MEd: IL, EdS IL, EdS Teacher Leader and the IL Alabama Class A Reduced Hour Option) require a two-step application process (1 application to the university and 1 application to the program). Because the second application can require additional time, applicants need to start the UWA application as early as possible in order to meet the Connect deadlines for acceptance, class registration, etc.
To Participate in the TEACHER CONNECT Program (even if you have received the scholarship in the past):
Verify that your school system is a Teacher Connect partner by checking the list of participating school districts.
Apply to UWA and be accepted into UWA.
Review the Connect Calendar to make sure you understand all scholarship deadlines. Connect programs have special class registration deadlines that are earlier than regular deadlines. Participants will only receive the scholarship for the course(s) they are registered for by the connect deadline.
The completed Teacher Connect Verification form only has to be submitted one time to be eligible each subsequent term.
Alabama School Systems:
Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education
Alabama Department of Youth Services School District 210
Alabama Math, Science & Technology Initiative
Alabaster City Schools
Albertville City Schools
Alexander City Schools
Andalusia City Schools
Anniston City Schools
Arab City Schools
Athens City Schools
Autauga County Schools
Baldwin County Schools
Bessemer City Schools
Bibb County Schools
Birmingham City Schools
Blount County Schools
Boaz City Schools
Brewton City Schools
Butler County Schools
Calhoun County Schools
Cherokee County Schools
Chickasaw City Schools
Chilton County Schools
Choctaw County Schools
Clarke County Schools
Clay County Schools
Cleburne County Schools
Coffee County Schools
Colbert County Schools
Conecuh County Schools
Covington County Schools
Crenshaw County Schools
Cullman City Schools
Cullman County Schools
Dale County Schools
Dallas County Schools
Decatur City Schools
DeKalb County Schools
Demopolis City Schools
Dothan City Schools
Elba City Schools
Elmore County Schools
Enterprise City Schools
Escambia County Schools
Etowah County Schools
Eufaula City Schools
Fairfield City Schools
Fayette County Schools
Fort Payne City Schools
Foundations Early Learning
Franklin County Schools
Gadsden City Schools
Geneva City Schools
Geneva County Schools
Government Street Christian School
Greene County Schools
Gulf Shores City Schools
Hale County Schools
Haleyville City Schools
Hartselle City Schools
Henry County Schools
Homewood City Schools
Hoover City Schools
Houston County Schools
Huntsville City Schools
Jackson Academy
Jackson County Schools
Jasper City Schools
Jefferson County Schools
Lamar County Schools
Lauderdale County Schools
Lawrence County Schools
Lee County Schools
Leeds City Schools
Legacy Prep School
Limestone County Schools
Linden City Schools
Lowndes County Schools
Macon County Public Schools
Madison City Schools
Madison County Schools
Marengo County Schools
Marion County Schools
Marshall County Schools
Midfield City Schools
Mobile County Public Schools
Monroe County Schools
Montgomery Public Schools
Morgan County Schools
Mountain Brook City Schools
Muscle Shoals City Schools
Northside Methodist Academy
Oneonta City Schools
Opelika City Schools
Opp City Schools
Ozark City Schools
Pelham City Schools
Pell City Schools
Perry County Schools
Phenix City Schools
Pickens County Schools
Piedmont City Schools
Pike County Schools
Pike Road Schools
Prichard Preparatory School
Randolph County Schools
Roanoke City Schools
Russell County Schools
Russellville City Schools
Saraland City Schools
Satsuma City Schools
Scottsboro City Schools
Selma City Schools
Sequel School
Sheffield City Schools
Shelby County Schools
Spring Valley Schools
St. Clair County Schools
Sumter County Schools
Sylacauga City Schools
Talladega City Schools
Talladega County Schools
Tallapoosa County Schools
Tallassee City Schools
Tarrant City Schools
The Capitol School
Thomasville City Schools
Troy City Schools
TSI of Alabama
Tuscaloosa Academy
Tuscaloosa City Schools
Tuscaloosa County Schools
Tuscumbia City Schools
University Charter School
Vestavia City Schools
Walker County Schools
Washington County Schools
Wilcox County Schools
Winfield City Schools
Winston County Schools
Georgia School Systems:
Haralson County Schools
Newton County Schools
Towns County Schools
Ware County Schools
Mississippi School Systems:
Kemper County Schools
Lauderdale County Schools
Meridian Public Schools
National Latent Print Examiner Academy
Neshoba County
New Albany Public Schools
Philadelphia School District
South Carolina School Systems:
Greenville County Schools
Tennessee School Systems:
Lincoln County Schools
Where can I find details on UWA’s admission requirements? This link will show you the admission requirements: www.uwa.edu/catalogues.aspx. Use the catalogue’s index at the right to select the topic you want to review. Admission requirements are under “Academic Information”.
Can I use financial aid in the Teacher Connect program?
Yes. Contact UWA’s Financial Aid Office at finaid@uwa.edu or 205-652-3576 for information on student loans or other financial options.
Can I use Veteran Benefits in conjunction with the Teacher Connect scholarship?
The VA does not permit combining of certain VA benefits with scholarships. UWA can help you determine which benefits can be used in conjunction with Teacher Connect.
Are there other requirements for the Teacher Connect scholarship?
Participants must complete their degree program in good academic standing within 24 months. Scholarship eligibility terminates after 24 months.
The Teacher Connect tuition scholarship applies to each class one time. It will not be re-applied to the same course if the student re-takes or withdraws from a class for any reason.
Do I have to pay back the scholarship money if I change employers?
No, you will not need to pay back the money. If your new employer is a TC school, apply with them to re-join the program. If your new employer is not a TC school, you will not be able to receive additional scholarship funds. Encourage your new employer to join the program!
TERMS & CONDITIONS
The University of West Alabama
Teacher Connect Scholarship Program
Terms and conditions between the University of West Alabama (UWA) and teachers of partner school districts (hereinafter referred to as “Participant”) who wish to enter the Teacher Connect Scholarship Program.
I. General Terms of Agreement
a. This agreement allows Participants, who are approved by a partner school district, to participate in the Teacher Connect Scholarship Program (hereinafter referred to as “Teacher Connect”) for online undergraduate and graduate education degrees with teacher certification offered by UWA. Teacher Connect is available only for online degree programs. Teacher Connect pricing is only applicable to courses required for the Participant’s degree program. It is not applicable to on-campus programs or courses and it is not applicable to on-campus courses that may be required to complete an online degree program.
b. Participants who wish to participate in Teacher Connect must be an employee in good standing with a partner school district.
c. Participants who enter degree programs that qualify for master’s degrees or higher level certificates or for special endorsements or state recognition or board certification or state certification for their respective states should check carefully the requirements of their states.
d. Participants approved by a partner school district to participate in Teacher Connect must apply to UWA for admission and meet all admission requirements before applying for Teacher Connect.
II. UWA Teacher Connect Scholarship Pricing
a. UWA agrees to grant Participants a partial “scholarship” in the form of an adjusted per credit hour amount. This adjusted per credit hour amount will be determined each academic year. UWA reserves the right to adjust tuition and the Teacher Connect pricing at the start of each academic year.
b. Textbooks, technology fees and course supplies or fees are not included in the Teacher Connect pricing.
c. Teacher Connect pricing is only applicable to courses required for the Participant’s degree program. It is not applicable to on-campus programs or courses and it is not applicable to on-campus courses that may be required to complete an online degree program.
d. Teacher Connect pricing applies to a class one time. It will not be re-applied to the same course if the Participant re-takes or fails the course for any reason. If a participant withdrawals from a course(s) for any reason the “scholarship” will be revoked upon the withdrawal which may result in an account balance.
e. Participants in Teacher Connect and Participants enrolled at UWA prior to the introduction of Teacher Connect must meet the following criteria in order to stayor convert to the program: i. The Participant must be pursuing an online education degree with teacher certification.
ii. Program GPA must be 3.0 or higher.
iii. The Participant cannot have “holds” on their student accounts or owe any balances.
iv. The Participant must be in good standing with theUniversity.
v. The Participant’s school district must approve their participation in the program.
vi. Teacher Connect pricing applies to a class one time. It will not be re-applied to the same course if the Participant re-takes or fails the course for any reason. If a participant withdrawals from a course(s) for any reason the “scholarship” will be revoked upon the withdrawal which may result in an account balance.
vii. The Participant must provide a valid email address fromtheir current school district of employment.
viii. The Participant must abide by all policies & procedures and requirements set by the university, colleges and academic programs.
III. Length of Time to Complete a Program
Once a Teacher Connect Participant begins a program, the Participant will have 24 months to complete degree requirements under the Teacher Connect pricing arrangement. In the case where a Teacher Connect Participant pursues a bachelor’s or doctorate degree, the Participant will have 48 months to complete degree requirements under the Teacher Connect Scholarship Program.
IV. Payment and Billing
a. UWA will bill each Participant net of the scholarshipamount.
b. Participants are eligible to apply for federal financial assistance through the UWA Financial Aid Office. (Note that certain Veteran benefits cannot be combined with the Teacher Connect Scholarship Program. UWA’s Registrar’s office can determine which VA benefits can be used in combination with the scholarship.)
c. If a Participant withdraws from a class, UWA will follow normal withdrawal refund policies. Teacher Connect pricing applies to a class one time. It will not be re-applied to the same course if the Participant re-takes or fails the course for any reason. If a participant withdrawals from a course(s) for any reason the “scholarship” will be revoked upon the withdrawal which may result in an account balance.
d. The Teacher Connect Scholarship Program cannot be combined with other connect scholarship programs.
e. Participant must be registered for their course(s) by the Connect Deadline each term to be eligible for the scholarship.
V. Admission and Registration for Teacher ConnectParticipants
Admission:
i. For eligibility verification, the Participant’s school district will provide the UWA Teacher Connect coordinator a list of all approved Participants twice a year during the Fall I & Spring II terms. UWA reserves the right to obtain additional verification at any point and for any reason in order for the Participant to join or remain in the Teacher Connect ScholarshipProgram.
ii. Participants will apply to UWA using the standard onlineapplication.
iii. In order to ensure sufficient time for scholarship processing, Participant agrees
to register for classes by published dates that are unique to the Teacher Connect Scholarship Program. These dates are different from those that are not enrolled in Teacher Connect. Teacher Connect deadlines are published on the UWA website.
i. The Participant must complete and submit the Teacher Connect Scholarship Program Participant Verification Form in order to apply for Teacher Connect.
VI. Agreement Termination
UWA reserves the right to change, amend, modify, suspend, continue or terminate all or any part of the acknowledgement ether in an individual case or in general, at any time without notice or reason.
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