Welcome, Future Teacher Fellow!
Columbia and Newberry College will provide a unique, inclusive experience for each incoming Teaching Fellow through a truly collaborative approach. Both schools are well-established, innovative, and highly respected institutions and are positioned to make history as the first collaborative program in the state.
- How to Apply
The SC Teaching Fellows application is hosted by Kaleidoscope and serves as the first step in the rigorous identification process for Teaching Fellows. The application submission window is open from October 1st until December 1st. Test scores, transcripts, and reference surveys must be submitted by December 7th. Students must apply for Teaching Fellows during their final year of high school.
- Eligibility
To apply for Teaching Fellows, you must be:
- a U.S. citizen or will be an eligible non-citizen under State Residency Statutes at the time of high school graduation (Please note - students categorized as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are not eligible for Teaching Fellows.)
- a legal resident of South Carolina (Please note - Residency will be verified by the Teaching Fellows Institution after a student has been offered an award.)
- a high school senior or junior graduating early
- Being a Fellow
While enrolled in the Teaching Fellows Program, students must:
- maintain continuous progress toward SC teacher certification;
- successfully complete 30 semester hours per academic year (or maintain status as a freshman with 30 completed hours, a sophomore with 60 completed hours, a junior with 90 completed hours, or a senior with 120 completed hours);
- maintain a minimum cumulative Teaching Fellows Institution (TFI) GPA of 2.80;
- be accepted into the TFI's Teacher Education Program by their junior year;
- remain a full-time student during each fall and spring term;
- attend Teaching Fellows programs as assigned by the institution; and
- attend enrichment programs as assigned by the institution and CERRA.
- Why Teaching Fellows?
The Teaching Fellows Program is available at 14 colleges and universities across the state. Each Teaching Fellows Institution (TFI) has a Campus Director who works closely with the cohort of Fellows throughout their higher education experience. Teaching Fellows participate in enrichment programs, have professional development opportunities, are involved with S.C. communities and businesses, and receive up to $6,000 in annual fellowships for four years while completing a degree leading to initial teacher certification. The total possible fellowship of up to $24,000 provides up to $5,700 annually for tuition, board, and direct education expenses and up to $300 annually for planned enrichment programs. Funds not used in fall or spring semesters due to other scholarships or funding sources can be used for Maymester or summer school, but only during the same academic school year.
- Why Columbia College?
Becoming a Columbia College Teaching Fellow provides a unique opportunity to participate in a series of innovative courses and school-based field experiences designed to greatly enhance an aspiring teacher's potential as a future educator and leader.
Some highlights are:
- Access to resources at both Columbia College and Newberry College
- Completion of a Public Policy Internship in agencies that support public education
- Attendance at state-wide Teaching Fellows Conference sponsored by CERRA
- Aunnual visits from the SC Teacher of the Year
- Student-selected Inquiry Research Project presented during American Education Week
- Partnership/outreach to local Teacher Cadet sites another Teaching Fellows institutions
