Although the State of Michigan avoided a full shutdown in October, many students at Grand Valley State University are still reeling from the effects of the budget standoff. Due to delays in disbursement, student teachers across the state had to go for some time without a stipend that was owed to them.
Student teachers associated with various universities across the state have relied on the MI Future Educator Fellowship, of which GVSU is a premier benefactor. The stipend, which offers $10,000 to students in teaching programs, is a major source of income for student teachers. In addition, $5,000 per semester is also available for those willing to commit to teaching in Michigan. When student teachers were forced to go without funds while state legislators argued over the budget, chaos ensued.
“It (was) absolute anarchy in the (College of Education and Community Innovation),” said Kyle Hoffman, a student teacher at GVSU. “It’s been a really weird situation that’s leaving student teachers with months of no income, despite working over 40 hours a week in their student-teaching placements.”
Payouts took place at the end of October for the majority of student teachers at GVSU. However, Hoffman is still critical of a “lack of transparency and communication efforts” between the College of Education and future teachers. Hoffman received an email when the state budget passed Oct. 7, saying the College of Education awaiting more information. This was followed by communication throughout the month that Hoffman deemed “unclear.”
“This email said money could take several weeks to come in, which sent even more students into a panic,” Hoffman said. “Then, on Oct. 23, we got an email saying the money would be coming as late as early December, further raising tensions.”
Meanwhile, students at Michigan State and Central Michigan University informed Hoffman they already received their money. When he emailed GVSU’s College of Education for clarity, their responses puzzled him, leaving a bad taste in his mouth as he struggled to figure out how to cover his expenses in the meantime. For his efforts, he received an automated “out of the office” email that encouraged him to reach back out in a few days.
“Those two weeks between hearing (about other schools’ payouts), and finally hearing from GVSU were terrible,” Hoffman said. “I had no clue how I was going to pay rent or buy dinner, or how long I would have to go without knowing. (I felt) hurt, and it really started to change the way I felt about Grand Valley.”
Even with payments coming in earlier than the projected worst-case scenario of December, Hoffman still had to find alternative ways to meet his expenses, a harrowing situation that caused him stress.
“(When) we were told we wouldn’t receive payments until early December, we suddenly had multiple rent payments that we had no opportunity to make,” Hoffman said. “(I) had to reach out to family and ask for money, which (I was) fortunate enough to be able to do, but it was still humiliating.”
The College of Education said the situation was somewhat out of its hands, especially considering the state controls stipend payouts, not GVSU.
“Although this funding is not guaranteed and is not controlled by GVSU, we certainly understand its significance to our teacher candidates and again, have advocated rigorously with the state for this continued funding,” said Amy Schelling, associate dean for the College of Education and Community Innovation.
Schelling said the college began warning students of a possible issue as early as July 14. The state had missed its budget deadline on July 1, and Schelling said the college was concerned early on.
“The state budget was not decided until Oct. 7,” Schelling said. “We communicated with stipend-eligible students six times between July 14 and Oct. 23.”
Schelling also said the delay for some students being longer than others may be due to a case-by-case review in which not every student is approved for funding at the exact time. Schelling insisted the college did the best it could, given the hectic situation.
“Given its significance to our teacher candidates, we have been diligent and have worked a considerable amount of time to ensure our candidates receive the funds and in as timely a manner as we have control over,” Schelling said.
Student teacher Nikolas Tompkins was appreciative of the communication, given the circumstances.
“They made sure that whenever they received new information, it was relayed to us,” Tompkins said. “We were given a heads-up in mid-August that funds would not be available to distribute until the budget was finalized.”
Tompkins also acknowledged that not every student receives funds at the same time. Still, Tompkins had the stipend money earmarked for his tuition payments, which caused him some stress.
“I was relying on the stipend and fellowship to assist me with my tuition payments for the semester,” Tompkins said. “While it is advised by the department not to do this as funds are not guaranteed, my situation this semester made it so I had no other option. While I can’t speak on behalf of every student teacher, I am sure there are others who were in similar situations.”
The high number of hours worked as a student teacher give most students no time for a second job, which they are advised against doing by the University. Tompkins noted that if the stipend hadn’t come until December, many student teachers would be unable to pay their bills.
