Applicant Requirements

• Districts may apply for funds to pay the salaries of eligible military veterans while they complete requirements to earn Michigan teacher certification.
• Interested veterans must connect with a district. Veterans interested in becoming certified may not apply directly.

Participant Requirements

• Possess a bachelor's degree from a public or private university.
• Must be enrolled in student teaching at a Michigan approved educator preparation provider.
• Be a veteran as defined by MCL 35.61.

• The payment of a salary for each qualified participating veteran for their completion of up to 2 semesters of student teaching as part of the mentorship training.
• The payment of costs and fees associated with completion of each subject area examination for each subject area in which a participating veteran is seeking teacher certification.
• The hiring of support staff to implement the mentorship program described in this section.
• Salary support for program completers for their first two years of teaching.
• Stipends for mentor teachers to support program participants and completers.

Student Teaching

Grant funds may be used to provide a salary for participating veterans for their completion of up 2 semesters of student teaching in an amount that equals the starting teacher salary in the district. This grant does not limit, if in compliance with other laws, the district from providing additional compensation to a participating veteran.

student teacher salary = starting teacher salary in district

First Two Years of Employment as a Teacher

Grant funds may be used to support the salary of participating veterans in their first two years of teaching after earning certification in the following manner:

• If the highest yearly salary the participating veteran received in the military is lower than the starting teacher salary in the district, the district must pledge to provide the program completer with a salary equal to the starting teacher salary in the district. The entirety of a salary must be paid by the district from funds other than funds received from this grant.

If the highest military salary < starting teacher salary in district, then starting teacher salary.

• If the highest yearly salary the participating veteran received in the military is higher than the starting teacher salary in the district, the district must pledge to provide the program completer with a salary equal to the sum of a starting teacher salary in the district and 50% of the difference between the highest yearly salary the participating veteran received in the military and the starting teacher salary in the district. However, this amount must not exceed the highest teacher salary in the district. Only 50% of the difference between the highest yearly salary the participating veteran received in the military and the starting teacher salary may be paid for from money received from this grant, and the other portion of the salary must be paid by the district from funds other than funds received from this grant.

If the highest military salary (y) > starting teacher salary in district (x), then x + 0.5(y-x).

Coming Soon.