Why participate?

Our Catholic Schools are filled with compassion, dedication, and faith, and offer a unique and supportive environment for the students, faculty, and staff within each school. Fellows are immersed in a rewarding learning assignment in one of our schools were they will gain valuable experience and have the opportunity to make a profound difference in the lives of children. In addition, Fellows will receive free housing and live in community with other Fellows, an opportunity to develop their faith, and obtain a free master's degree*.

*Tuition costs are covered at 100%. Additional fees are covered by the student.

During their first two years of service, Aquinas Fellows:

• Are placed in free housing, arranged by the diocese*
• Receive a modest living allowance ($15,000 per year)
• Are placed in an immersion teaching experience and/or internship within the Diocese of Bridgeport Schools
• Receive educational and spiritual support as they balance life, college, and teaching
• Focus on professional development, community and spiritual growth
• Will live in a community and study together as part of a university collaboration and make a significant impact on the lives of the children that they serve
• Gain an extraordinary learning experience
• Upon completion of the program, receive a cost-free master’s degree in one of the degree areas offered through our collaboration with Fairfield University**
• Are eligible for loan deferment with full-time student status

*Fellows contribute a modest amount each month to cover utilities and other day-to-day living expenses.

**Participants must commit to a minimum of 3 years – two years as a Fellow as they complete the coursework, and one year as a paid employee of the Diocese of Bridgeport once the degree is completed. Participants who do not complete the program must reimburse the diocese at a prorated rate based on length of time in the program.

Professional Development

Aquinas Fellows will be developed during their time in the community through a combination of mentorship, training, immersion in a student teaching and/or internship experience in one of our Diocesan Catholic schools, application of knowledge gained in the graduate level coursework, and the support of other Fellows. Overall, Aquinas Fellows will:

• Participate in a two year student-teaching and/or internship role within elementary, secondary schools, or the Office of the Superintendent in the Diocese of Bridgeport
• Receive extensive coursework training as they work to complete a master’s degree
• Contribute their gifts and talents to their school communities

Community Life

For the first two years, the Aquinas Fellowship Program provides subsidized housing for cohorts of 4-7 members that enables a spirit of community around shared experience, mission, and support. Participants are called to grow together in faith, to support one another, and to challenge each other as they develop personally, professionally, and spiritually. Fellows will live in a residence provided by the Diocese of Bridgeport.

Spiritual Growth

Aquinas Fellows are invited to deepen their relationship with God and encouraged to integrate spirituality into their community life and schools, and to use spirituality as a support to provide strength and nourishment. A spiritual director will work with the community of Aquinas Fellows throughout the first two years to assist in deepening one’s relationship with God by developing an active, vital prayer life through coursework, retreats, Mass, and prayer services.

What are the requirements of the program?

Applicants will:

• Have a bachelor’s degree
• Be passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of students in Catholic education
• Embrace the Catholic faith and desire to continually develop
• Support other Fellows within the community and positively contribute to the living environment
• Have some experience working with children
• Complete and submit the Application for Admittance to the Aquinas Fellowship Program
• Participate in a personal interview
• Agree to the program policies
• Apply and be accepted into an approved master’s degree program at Fairfield University