Career Training Program
Q: What is the Career Training Program?
A: The Career Training Program (CTP) provides UFT educational paraprofessionals and DC 37, Local
372 family paraprofessionals an opportunity to acquire six college credits at participating colleges during the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters, through a combination of tuition assistance, released work time and summer stipends.
Q: How will I know if I am eligible to participate?
A: In general, full-time paraprofessionals who are employed by the Department of Education and do not possess a Bachelor's Degree are eligible to participate.
Q: Can Substitute Paraprofessionals Participate?
A: Substitute paraprofessionals who have no college credits may apply for a maximum of 6 undergraduate credits one time only after they have been on payroll for a total of thirty (30) days.
Q: When are CTP applications available?
A: Applications will be available online as follows:
Fall Semester - May 1st through June 30th
Spring Semester - September 1st through October 31st
Summer Semester - February 1st through March 31st
Q: How will I be notified that my application has been accepted?
A: All approval Tuition Payment Certification Letter (Voucher ) will be sent via email to the email address registered on your application. Vouchers must be printed, signed and submitted to the
attending college/university bursar’s office. The vpucher authorizes the participating college to submit an invoice to the Office of Scholarship and Incentive Programs for tuition payment.
Q: Is there a cost for me to participate in the Career Training Program?
A: No. There is no cost for eligible paraprofessionals to participate in the Career Training Program.
Q: What is a Summer Stipend and how would I qualify to receive one?
A: A summer stipend is additional money (up to $240.00) made available to eligible
paraprofessionals who are taking a minimum of 6 credits/equated credits while enrolled in an accredited college during the summer semester. The Summer Stipend Attendance Sheet can be downloaded via the website at www.teachnycprograms.net . The Summer Stipend Attendance Sheet must be signed by the paraprofessional and the instructor and submitted to the office with a copy of a bursar's receipt, student transaction report, transcript or grade report.
Q: What is Released Time?
A: Paraprofessionals who meet the requirements are eligible for released time. Released time cannot be used to actually attend a college class during regularly scheduled school hours. Released time will be granted, in accordance with the UFT and DC 37 contracts, during the fall, spring and 1st summer semester only to paraprofessionals who are attending an accredited college. Release time during the summer session may be taken but must be completed by June 30th. Paraprofessionals are encouraged to take courses during the late afternoon, evenings or weekends to avoid conflict with their work assignments.
Q: If I am on a leave of absence will I qualify for the Career Training Program?
A: No, only paraprofessionals that are on active payroll are eligible to benefit from the CTP
program.
Q: If I have been laid off, will I qualify to participate in the Career Training Program?
A: Laid off paraprofessionals are eligible to continue their participation in CTP during the semester in which they were laid off and the semester immediately following layoff.
Q: If I am a DC37 family paraprofessional, which institutions may I apply to?
A: DC37, Local 372, family paraprofessionals may only attend the College of New Rochelle located at 125 Barclay Street, New York, NY 10007 and must directly contact DC37, Local 372, Schools Division
at (212) 815-1958.
Q: Which colleges or universities participate in the Career Training Program?
A: The following colleges are available to eligible UFT paraprofessionals.
COMMUNITY COLLEGES
Borough of Manhattan Community College
Bronx Community College
Hostos Community College
LaGuardia Community College
Kingsborough Community College
Queensborough Community College
CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK (4 Year Programs)
Bernard M. Baruch College
Brooklyn College
City College of New York
College of Staten Island
Hunter College
John Jay College
Lehman College
Medgar Evers College
NYC Technical College
Queens College
York College
CUNY School of Professional Studies
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
Empire State College
SUNY at Old Westbury
PRIVATE COLLEGES
Boricua College
Mercy College
St. Francis College
Touro College
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
The following colleges offer specific programs for UFT Paraprofessionals only. Prior program approval is required to benefit from the CTP Program. Applicants must contact the program coordinators for additional program information and admission criteria.
Long Island University
Joli Brown, Coordinator
(718) 488-1380
Ana G. Mendez (Turabo University)
Distance Learning Program
Guillermo Morales, Coordinator
DC 37, Local 372 Family Paraprofessionals may only attend the College of New Rochelle. For
additional program information and admission criteria please contact:
Mark Garcia
Schools Division
College of New Rochelle
125 Barclay Street
New York, NY
212 815-1958
mgarcia@dc37.net