The Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant Program provides financial assistance to Massachusetts residents who are currently employed as paraprofessionals in Massachusetts public schools, but wish to become certified as full time teachers. This grant is designed to reduce their financial burden and help address the Commonwealth's current teacher shortage. Financial need is not a requirement for the Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant. However, recipients must annually file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  For more information regarding this opportunity for paraprofessionals follow this link.

In the summer of 2018, AFT Massachusetts leaders, including AFT Massachusetts President Beth Kontos, Lynn Teachers Union President Sheila O’Neil, Massachusetts Library Staff Association President Pat Kelly and MLSA Treasurer Matt Amory, were trained as AFT student debt clinic facilitators. Equipped with these new skills, they launched a statewide series of student debt clinics for AFT Massachusetts members, designed to help members learn how to access public service loan forgiveness and enroll in income-driven student loan repayment programs.

Since October, AFT Massachusetts has held debt