Tuition & Financial Aid
We believe that finances should not be a barrier to becoming a teacher or to accessing high quality professional development.
Relay is committed to offering our programs at a price point that is reasonable and sustainable for educators as well as our partner schools and school systems. As such, we work closely with federal, state, and philanthropic sources to provide as much financial aid as possible, tailored to each student’s needs and goals.
Tuition for Relay Graduate and Certification Programs
For all students entering Relay in 2025-26, tuition is calculated by credit. Each credit costs $850. Check out our state-by-state pages to see the number of credits for your particular program. In 2023-2024 Relay disbursed over $28 million worth of aid to students. Total tuition costs and average out-of-pocket costs for each program are:
Master of Arts in Teaching programs
- 32 credits (Most MAT programs): $27,200
- 38 credits (MAT in Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Learners): $32,300
- 39 credits (MAT in Special Education): $33,150
2024-2025 AmeriCorps Award: $7,395
Average Relay Aid per student: $6,072
Average federal aid per student: $12,525
Average external aid per student (school sponsorships, state grants, etc.): $7,628
Average out-of-pocket cost for MAT program: $6,100-$12,100
This out-of-pocket cost may vary depending on your employment, state, AmeriCorps eligibility, and more. We highly recommend discussing options with our Student Financial Services team or emailing support@relay.edu for details
Alternative Certification Programs
- Credit hours vary from 18 to 24, depending location and program type. Here is the total tuition cost for each credit amount:
- ~ 18 credits: $15,300
- ~ 19 credits: $16,150
- ~ 20 credits: $17,000
- ~ 21 credits: $17,850
- ~ 22 credits: $18,700
- ~ 23 credits: $19,550
- ~ 24 credits: $20,400
- See the page for your state to learn the credit hours.
Average Relay Aid per student: $6,072
Average external aid per student (school sponsorships, state grants, etc.): $7,628
Average out-of-pocket cost for MAT program: $6,700-$9,500
This out-of-pocket cost may vary depending on your employment, state, AmeriCorps eligibility, and more. We highly recommend discussing options with our Student Financial Services team or emailing support@relay.edu for details.
Advanced Certificate in Special Education
- 21 credits: $17,850
Average Relay Aid per student: $6,072
Average external aid per student (school sponsorships, state grants, etc.): $7,628
Average federal aid per student: $12,525
Average out-of-pocket cost for alternative certification program: $6,000-$10,000
This out-of-pocket cost may vary depending on your employment, state, AmeriCorps eligibility, and more. We highly recommend discussing options with our Student Financial Services team or emailing support@relay.edu for details.
Other fees
Relay is proud to maintain an all-inclusive tuition cost. This means that you will not be charged additional fees by Relay. Moreover, Relay provides all books via our online library free of cost to all students.
Students may have outside costs, such as state-mandated certification exams and other state-specific requirements. These will vary by region and will be communicated along with students’ specific tuition and financial aid package
How is tuition paid?
Tuition is payable at the beginning of each term. Students are welcome to pay tuition via Relay's payment plans and/or federal financial aid and other types of aid.
Financial Aid and Tuition Support for
Relay Graduate and Certification Programs
Relay works closely with our students, school and district partners, federal programs, and local philanthropies to ensure that there are resources available to develop the next generation of great teachers. In most cases, there will be resources available to bring down the out-of-pocket cost to our programs, sometimes significantly. Each student’s financial aid picture will look different.
Students will receive support in applying for aid and using it for educational costs in an effective way. Relay Student Financial Services contacts all students within 14 days of accepting their admission offer with information about paying for Relay (including their financial aid package, if applicable.)
Complete the FAFSA
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) uses information about your financial situation to to determine eligibility for federal aid, including need-based aid. You can apply for the FAFSA here. Relay’s school code is 042086.
Enroll in AmeriCorps
Participants in AmeriCorps had the opportunity to earn education awards up to $7,395 during academic year 2024-25, and the award value is projected to be the same during academic year 2025-26. Awards are earned upon successful completion of a year of service, and may be used for any eligible educational expenses or toward their education loans.
Visit the official AmeriCorps website for more details.
Partner Contributions
Partners may provide funding to Relay for students utilizing School-Based Scholarship Funds or individual student payments.
Relay Need-Based Aid
Relay's financial aid will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Need-based aid is open to all eligible Year 1 students and prioritized for students not receiving other scholarships or external financial support.
VA Benefits and External Aid
You may be eligible to use VA benefits or to apply for some of the external scholarships listed here. Please note that if you are awarded an external scholarship it may impact your need-based aid, your cost of attendance, and your federal financial aid eligibility.
Applicable for students in:
- Masters of Arts in Teaching programs
- Advanced Certificate in Special Education program
Details
In order to receive federal financial aid or need-based financial aid, prospective students MUST fill out the FAFSA during the admissions process. Student Financial Services (SFS) reviews FAFSA applications on a rolling basis. Relay’s school code is 042086.
Masters of Arts in Teaching students may be eligible for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and TEACH grants. Advanced Certificate in Special Education students may be eligible for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans only. Learn more here:
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans (Relay explainer)
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans (Direct link to government website)
- TEACH grants (Relay explainer)
- TEACH grants (Direct link to government website)
You must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen in order to apply for federal financial aid.
Applicable for students in:
- Masters of Arts in Teaching programs
- Advanced Certificate in Special Education program
Details
In order to receive federal financial aid or need-based financial aid, prospective students MUST fill out the FAFSA during the admissions process. Student Financial Services (SFS) reviews FAFSA applications on a rolling basis. Relay’s school code is 042086.
Masters of Arts in Teaching students may be eligible for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and TEACH grants. Advanced Certificate in Special Education students may be eligible for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans only. Learn more here:
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans (Relay explainer)
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans (Direct link to government website)
- TEACH grants (Relay explainer)
- TEACH grants (Direct link to government website)
You must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen in order to apply for federal financial aid. For ineligible non-citizens and international students, please use Relay’s alternative form for applying for need-based aid.
Relay Professional Education Costs
Relay is committed to offering high-impact, just-in-time continuing professional development for teachers and leaders. We work closely with our school and district partners to make such opportunities reasonable and sustainable for your budgets.
Learn more about Teacher Professional Education >>
Learn more about Leadership Programs >>
Relay is your educator and your partner school is your employer. Students in specific programs may receive tuition support or reimbursement from their school partner. We recommend that you reach out to your school/district’s human resources department to inquire about any tuition support or reimbursement.
Applicable to students in:
- Masters of Arts in Teaching programs
- Alternative Certification programs
- Advanced Certificate in Special Education program
Details
Institutional aid at Relay may include scholarships awarded based on need and can vary in amounts and availability by academic year. These annual awards are released in three even disbursements, at the start of the summer, fall, and spring terms. Students must be enrolled at least half-time to receive need-based aid. Students awarded an external scholarship, education award, school-based sponsorship, or other tuition payment support will be deprioritized for those with the most need.
Applicable to students in:
- Masters of Arts in Teaching programs
- Advanced Certificate in Special Education programs
Relay accepts Veterans Affairs benefits only for programs in certain locations. See the full list here. We are currently in the process of applying for VA benefits approval in other states. Please reach out to the Registrar’s office if you have any questions about VA benefits.
There are a number of other external aid options available to Relay students as well. Information on scholarships and alternative financial aid options can be found here.