Arizona Teachers Academy Scholarship Program
The Arizona Teachers Academy (ATA) funding opportunity at Rio Salado College is an initiative that offers bachelor’s and post baccalaureate teacher candidates scholarships, paid certification fees, vouchers for state testing, and access to Induction Services upon completion of the program. In exchange, ATA scholars must commit to teaching in an Arizona public or charter school for as many years as they have received funding; no more than two years for the Post Baccalareatte programs and no more than four years for the Bachelor's Degree (BAEE/SPED).
ATA funding is available for all approved certification areas in both the bachelor’s and post baccalaureate Traditional and Teacher in Residence programs .
Applicants must meet the following criteria in order to qualify for the scholarship.
Scholarship Criteria:
- Must be enrolled in a Rio Salado College Educator Preparation Program: Bachelor's Degree or Post Baccalaureate
- Per-Semester* Credit Requirement for Scholarship Eligibility:
- Bachelor Degree (BAEE/SPED) candidates are recommended to be enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester.
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Post Baccalaureatte candidates must be enrolled in 6 or more credits per semester.
*Summer enrollment is optional and does not have a minimum credit requirement. Contact the ATA Advisor for additional information.
- A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has been completed and submitted to the college of enrollment (completed annually)
- 250 word essay displaying educational commitment
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA in program coursework.
ATA Scholarships are awarded on the basis of need, merit, and program standing and availability of funds. The amount of the scholarship will cover the cost educator preparation program tuition and fees for eligible semesters during an academic year (July 1 - June 30th) after grants/scholarships have been awarded.
ATA Information Session DatesClick on a date below to register |
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Notes: A link to join the virtual events via WebEx will be sent upon completion of registration. |
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| September 9, 2026 | 5:00 - 6:00 PM | |
Recipients must teach for one full school year in an ATA-eligible Arizona school placement for each academic year, or portion of an academic year, that they receive ATA scholarship funding. Recipients who do not fulfill this commitment will be required to repay a proportional amount of the scholarship funds received..
Applicants must be enrolled in an approved Rio Salado Education Preparation Program (Bachelors or Post Baccalaureate) before submitting an application and FAFSA for the current year must be completed and Rio Salado must show as the selected school.
For questions regarding the application process please email [email protected]
Applicants must submit FAFSA and a renewal application for each academic year. ATA staff will be in contact each year to remind applicants of the requirement.
The following information is provided by the Arizona Board of Regents and is specific to ATA requirements for all candidates regardless of higher education institution they are attending.
