VanderCook College of Music
Golden Apple & Teach Funding
External Grant Resources
Welcome to VanderCook College of Music, where we embrace a rich tradition of fostering musical talent and educational excellence. Our institution proudly supports students in pursuing their passion for music education through external grants such as the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois and the federal TEACH grant, ensuring that aspiring educators have the financial resources they need to thrive in their academic pursuits.
If you are interested in the grant programs listed below, you can only commit to one.
Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois
The number of scholarships made through this program, as well as the individual dollar amount awarded, are subject to sufficient annual appropriations by the Illinois General Assembly and the governor.
The Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Program encourages academically talented Illinois students to pursue teaching careers, especially at high-need, hard-to-staff schools by providing tuition assistance (tuition, fees and room and board or commuter allowance) at one of the participating colleges. You may qualify for up to $2,500 in your first or second year as a Golden Apple Scholar, and up to $5,000 in your third, fourth or fifth year as a Scholar.
As part of the application process, you must agree to teach, on a full-time basis, for a period of not less than five years at nonprofit Illinois public, private or parochial preschool, or an Illinois public elementary or secondary school considered a School of Need. You must begin teaching within two years of the completion of your degree or certificate program for which the assistance was awarded. If the teaching commitment is not fulfilled, the award will convert to a loan, which must be repaid, with interest.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Be named as a Golden Apple Scholar by the Golden Apple Foundation
- Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen or meet the criteria of the RISE Act
- Be a resident of Illinois (if you are dependent, both you and your parent/guardian must be residents of Illinois)
- Be a high school graduate or hold a General Educational Development (GED) certificate
- Be enrolled at a four-year institution designated as a participating college by the Golden Apple Foundation
- Be enrolled in a postsecondary course of study leading to initial teacher licensure or taking additional courses needed to gain Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) approval to teach, including alternative teacher licensure
- Enter into a program agreement and promissory note with the Golden Apple Foundation and ISAC
- Participate in all required programs and adhere to residential guidelines and standards of conduct as a designated Golden Apple Scholar
- Not receive funds from the Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver (SETTW) Program or the Teachers of Illinois Scholarship Program during the same term(s) for which you receive funds from the Golden Apple program. Although recipients of the SETTW and Teachers of Illinois programs are not eligible to receive tuition assistance through the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Program for the same term(s), qualified students may be eligible to participate with the Golden Apple Foundation. Interested students can contact the Golden Apple Foundation.
- Earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (if a sophomore, junior or senior)
TEACH Grant Program
The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides grant funds to students who are enrolled in a TEACH Grant-eligible program of study, at a school that participates in the TEACH Grant Program.
Students must agree to teach full time for at least four years in a high-need field at a low-income elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency.
Qualify for up to $4,000 per year less origination fees ($1,886/semester)
Eligibility Requirements:
- Meet the basic eligibility criteria for the federal student aid programs
- Complete the Free Application for federal Student Aid (FAFSA®)
- Be enrolled at a school that participates in the TEACH Grant Program
- Be enrolled in a TEACH-Grant-eligible program
- Meet certain academic achievement requirements
- Receive TEACH Grant Counseling that explains the terms and conditions of the TEACH Grant service obligation. You must complete the counseling each year that you receive a TEACH Grant
- Sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve or Repay
TEACH Counseling
TEACH Grant Initial and Subsequent Counseling informs you about the TEACH Grant program and the TEACH Grant service obligation.
After you complete each of your four required school years of teaching, provide your TEACH Grant servicer with documentation of your teaching service. Do not wait until after you have completed all four years to provide this documentation. Provide it as soon as you complete each year of teaching service.
Agreement to Serve
The TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve or Repay (Agreement) explains the terms and conditions for receiving a TEACH Grant. By signing the Agreement to Serve or Repay, you agree to these terms and conditions and acknowledge that if you do not fulfill the service obligation described in the Agreement, the TEACH Grant funds you received will be converted to a loan that you must repay.
