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 2026-2027, 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 2024-2025 Relay disbursed over $15 million worth of aid to students.

‍Total tuition costs and average out-of-pocket costs for each program are:
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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

2026-2027 AmeriCorps Award: $7,395
Average Relay Aid per student: $2,800
Average federal aid per student: $12,300
Average external aid per student (school sponsorships, state grants, etc.): $7,900

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.
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Alternative Certification Programs

Tuition ranges from $15,300 to $20,400 depending on your certification program.

‍See the page for your state to learn the credit hours.

Average Relay Aid per student: $2,800
Average external aid per student (school sponsorships, state grants, etc.): $7,900

Average out-of-pocket cost for MAT program: $6,700-$9,500

Advanced Certificate in Special Education

21 credits: $17,850

Average Relay Aid per student: $2,800
Average external aid per student (school sponsorships, state grants, etc.): $7,900
Average federal aid per student: $12,300

Average out-of-pocket cost for alternative certification program: $6,000-$10,000

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 free of cost via our online library.

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.
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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.)

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STEP 1

Complete all Federal Aid forms

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) uses information about your financial situation to determine eligibility for federal aid. You can apply for the FAFSA here. Relay’s school code is 042086. Complete all additional federal aid forms that can be found here.

STEP 2

Enroll in AmeriCorps

Participants in AmeriCorps had the opportunity to earn education awards up to $7,395 during academic year 2025-26, and the award value is projected to be the same during academic year 2026-27. 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.

STEP 3

Partner Contributions

Partners may provide funding to Relay for students utilizing School-Based Scholarship Funds or individual student payments.

STEP 4

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.

Federal 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, students MUST fill out the FAFSA and all forms listed below. Student Financial Services (SFS) reviews completed 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.

AmeriCorps

Applicable for students in:

Masters of Arts in Teaching programs
Advanced Certificate in Special Education program

Details

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.

Partner Contributions

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.

Need-based Aid

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.

VA Benefits & External Aid

Applicable to students in:

Masters of Arts in Teaching programs
Advanced Certificate in Special Education program

Details

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.