Be the Difference: TeachDC

Teacher Incentives - At a Glance

Teacher Signing Bonuses

The District of Columbia Public Schools Office of Special Education offers a $2,000 New Teacher Bonus for certified Special Education teachers.

Teacher Support

The District of Columbia Public Schools offers a three year mentoring program for all newly hired teachers. Working one-to-one, mentors help teachers who are new to DCPS with specific school issues and provide a source of support as new teachers negotiate their first years with DCPS.

Loan Deferments & Cancellation

Federal Perkins Loans can be cancelled up to 100%, for a maximum of $30,000 if:

You have a Perkins/NDSL loan made on or after July 1, 1987 and are a full-time teacher in a designated elementary or secondary school that serves low-income students (this includes nearly 80% of DC Public Schools)

You have a Perkins/NDSL loan made on or after July 23, 1992 and are a full-time teacher of math, science, foreign language, bilingual education, or in another field designated as a teacher shortage area; or

You have a Perkins/NDSL loan made on or after July 1, 1987 and are teaching disabled students in a public elementary or secondary school

* All three categories of teacher cancellation have been extended to borrowers with Perkins loans prior to July 23, 1992 for teaching service performed after October 7, 1998. Full details and cancellation schedule can be found at
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/Students/repayment/teachers/index.html

Stafford Loans, Direct Subsidized, and Unsubsidized Loans made to new borrowers after 10/7/1998 and to the portions of a Consolidation Loan derived from these loans can be canceled up to $5,000 if:

You are teaching in a low-income school and you are a "new borrower" after October 1, 1998. (A new borrower is one who received his/her first Stafford Loan on or after October 7, 1998, or had no remaining balance on Stafford Loans made prior to 10/7/1998 on the date the new loan was made.); and

You work as a full-time teacher for 5 consecutive years in an elementary or secondary school that has been designated as a "low-income" school (approximately 80% of all District public schools).

* Low-income elementary and secondary schools are designated by the Department of Education each year, and a list of these schools, by year, is posted on their Web site. See this list and other stipulations at
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/Students/repayment/teachers/index.html

DHCD Teacher Housing Assistance Program (THAP)

The Teacher Housing Assistance Program (THAP) provides an incentive for teachers to become first-time homeowners in Washington, DC. Through THAP, the District of Columbia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) provides eligible applicants with a deferred loan of up to $10,000.

For more information regarding eligibility requirements, visit DHCD’s website at http://www.dhcd.dc.gov or call 202-442-7200

HUD Teacher Next Door (TND) Program

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and DCPS want to make American Communities stronger. The Teacher Next Door Program is designed to further this goal by encouraging teachers to buy homes in low and moderate-income neighborhoods. Benefits include:

Teachers can purchase HUD homes at 50% off the list price in HUD-designated Washington, DC revitalization neighborhoods

Down payment may be reduced to $100 for homes purchased with an FHA-insured mortgage

HUD has a loan program – 203(k) – designed to help purchase and rehabilitate your home

* For more information about who can participate, benefits and stipulations, visit HUD’s website at http://www.hud.gov/teacher or call 1-800-217-6970

All information is subject to changes made by the agency administering the program. Please confirm information with the agency using the website or phone numbers provided.