I. SUMMARY



The Yale Teaching Fellowship (YTF) aims to train high-quality teachers from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, cover teacher shortage areas, and promote long-term teacher retention in New Haven Public Schools (NHPS). This fellowship comes out of the Yale & Slavery Research Project.

Yale University has partnered with New Haven Public Schools, New Haven Promise, and Southern Connecticut State University to develop a fellowship program that supports graduate study for current and aspiring educators in exchange for at least three years of service in New Haven Public Schools. Over four years, beginning in May 2025, the program will place up to 100 teachers with Master’s degrees in the city’s schools. 

To support district-identified shortage areas, Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) has developed academic schedule maps to Master’s programs in three subject areas: 

• Math
• Science
• Special Education

Prospective fellows in the Teacher Pipeline track may be considered for the fellowship in other licensure areas, provided they could complete their chosen program in the same amount of time as the programs above, but preference will be given to these areas of greatest teacher shortage in New Haven Public Schools.

Use the "Save" button in the application to receive a link to your in-process YTF application. Copy the link or email it to yourself, so you can return to your incomplete application as many times as needed until you finish and submit by the January 1 deadline. All application materials must be received by January 1, 2026 to be considered complete.

III. APPLICATION AND SELECTION TIMELINE

The Yale Teaching Fellowship is responsive to the needs of New Haven Public Schools. As such, fellows commit not only to teaching in NHPS for three years, but also to filling vacancies in schools and subject areas that have the greatest need. With this in mind, the selection committee will give special weight to:

●      A candidate’s willingness to teach in a shortage area, especially in a middle school

●      Evidence of sustained engagement with education, especially in New Haven, including demonstrated leadership in classrooms and schools

We especially welcome applications that will support NHPS’ commitment to inclusion in the following areas:

●      Candidates who were low-income and/or first-generation college graduates

●      Candidates who have previously been or are currently involved in work aimed at creating diverse, inclusive environments for school-aged children (e.g., community service, neighborhood outreach efforts, and/or workplace or college/university initiatives)

The table below details the application and selection timeline for all fellowships. 

Use the "Save" button in the application to receive a link to your in-process YTF application. Copy the link or email it to yourself, so you can return to your incomplete application as many times as needed until you finish and submit by the January 1 deadline. All application materials must be received by January 1, 2026 to be considered complete.

[1] As a finalist under consideration for the fellowship, you acknowledge and agree that SCSU will share the status of your application for admission to the SCSU degree program with Yale, New Haven Promise, and New Haven Public Schools in order for them to determine your eligibility to receive the fellowship.

[2] If you are offered the fellowship, your offer is contingent on a satisfactory background check conducted by New Haven Public Schools, and you acknowledge that New Haven Public Schools will inform Yale, New Haven Promise, and SCSU whether that background check is satisfactory.

IV. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS



1. What counts toward my three-year commitment?

a. For fellows in the Teacher Pipeline track, any full-time teaching position in NHPS would count toward their three-year commitment to the district. Fellows in the Current Teachers track commit to securing a full-time special education position in the district for three years.

b. In the event a fellow is not offered a full-time teaching position in NHPS by July 31st, they can complete their three-year commitment at another CT Alliance District. Fellows must provide notice of their intent to fulfill their three-year commitment at another CT Alliance District in advance.

2. What if I fail to complete my three-year teaching requirement?

a. If a fellow fails to complete their three-year employment requirement in NHPS or another CT Alliance District, they will be required to pay back a portion of their funding as follows: $10,000 will be owed if the fellow completes less than one year of their employment requirement; $6,666 will be owed if the fellow completes more than one year but less than two years of the employment requirement; and $3,333 will be owed if the fellow completes more than two years but less than three years of the employment requirement.

3. Which NHPS school will I teach in? 

a. Fellows in the Teacher Pipeline track will be placed in a school with a fellowship mentor in their content area during the first year of the fellowship and then go through NHPS’ regular hiring process to secure a full-time teaching position in year two. Fellows in the Current Teachers Track will continue in their current position for their fellowship year and then go through NHPS’ regular hiring process to secure a full-time special education position upon completion of the fellowship.

4. What does the fellowship’s tuition funding include?

a. The fellowship’s tuition funding covers tuition and mandatory fees for the degree program’s academic terms applicable to your track. It does not cover non-mandatory fees or any past due bills for previous SCSU enrollment; fellows are responsible for resolving any unpaid SCSU bills before starting the fellowship.

5. Will I need to maintain a certain GPA at SCSU in order to remain eligible for fellowship funding from Yale?

a. Yes, fellows must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above in order to remain eligible for fellowship funding from Yale. (A cumulative GPA of 3.0+ is also required for graduation from SCSU graduate programs.)

6. I have other obligations—can I still apply for this fellowship?

a. Both tracks of this fellowship involve intensive coursework as part of specially designed degree programs. It is not recommended that fellows take on additional work or significant responsibilities during the fellowship.

7. I am a permanent resident and completed my B.A. degree overseas. Can I still apply for the fellowship?

a. Yes, see the “international students” section of SCSU’s admissions standards page for information on the application process for SCSU degree applicants who completed their undergraduate studies abroad. Please note that New Haven Public Schools does not offer sponsorship to non-U.S. citizens, so an eligibility requirement for the fellowship is being authorized to work in the United States.

8. Will I have health insurance during the Fellowship?

a. Health, Counseling, and Wellness Services are available to all registered SCSU students, regardless of insurance status. SCSU's Student Health Services provides health care, medical case management, referrals, screenings, sexual/reproductive health care, and health promotion. They also partner with on-campus resources such as Counseling Services to assist in holistically addressing the needs of students who may be experiencing mental health or other concerns. For terms in which you are a full-time student at SCSU, you will also be covered under SCSU's University Accident Policy. The cost of this accident policy, which covers accidents both on and off campus, is included in the general University fee that the Fellowship covers. The coverage period is August 1st through December 31st for the fall term and January 1st through July 31st for the spring term. Part-time students can voluntarily enroll in this plan by logging on to Aetna Student Health and clicking on the "Enroll" option. SCSU's Student Health Services strongly encourages all students to keep health insurance in the event of a serious illness, injury, or unanticipated surgery. You can find more information on SCSU's website.