Reimbursement Scholarships

Supporting educators in building stronger literacy skills statewide.

IDA Arizona is committed to improving literacy outcomes for all students, especially those affected by dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. One way we do this is by supporting professional development through our Reimbursement Scholarship Program.

Thanks to successful fundraising efforts, we can help offset the personal costs of professional development for Arizona educators so they can access high-quality, evidence-based Structured Literacy training.

APPLY TODAY!

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must be:

    • Educators, tutors, or professionals (including classroom teachers, special education teachers, reading specialists, literacy coaches, speech-language pathologists, school psychologists, and administrators)
    • Arizona Residents
    • Members or non-members of IDA

(Note: Award amounts differ for members vs. non-members — see Award Details below.)

This scholarship is a benefit available to individual members. Each applicant must hold their own current IDA membership to qualify for member-level reimbursement rates. School or group memberships do not provide benefits to all staff members.

 

What Courses and Events are Eligible?

IDA Arizona funds training opportunities, conferences, and workshops that align with Structured Literacy and the Science of Reading. Examples include:

What is Structured Literacy?

Award Details

  • Maximum Award:
    • Up to $400 per calendar year for members
    • Up to $200 per calendar year for non-members
  • Reimbursement covers registration fees/tuition only (no travel, meals, parking, or materials).
  • Scholarships are awarded as reimbursements only.

All reimbursements apply to the current calendar year (January 1 – December 31).
Training must be completed, and all documentation must be submitted within this timeframe.

Not an IDA member yet? Join IDA here to access Structured Literacy training resources.

Application and Reimbursement Instructions:

  1. Choose a Structured Literacy training course and complete the application form.
  2. Once received, IDA Arizona will issue an approval email within two weeks confirming your eligibility for training reimbursement.
  3. Register, pay for, and participate in the training course.
  4. Submit proof of payment, certificate of completion, and Give Back Requirement within 45 days.
  5. Upon receiving documentation, IDA Arizona will issue a reimbursement check up to the maximum award amount stated in the approval.

Giving Back Requirement

As part of your scholarship, we ask recipients to “give back” by sharing a brief reflection after completing their training. This is a required step to receive reimbursement and helps us build a stronger, more connected community.

Your contribution may be featured on our website, social media, newsletters, or other outreach materials to raise awareness and highlight the impact of Structured Literacy. This is not meant to be a labor-intensive task—your message can be short, simple, and shared in the format that feels most comfortable to you.

Thank you for inspiring others through your story!

As part of your application, you’ll select one of the following ways to share your experience:

  • Photo + Quote – A picture of yourself, plus a statement about how the training will impact your practice
  • Quote Only – A short statement describing the value of the scholarship.
  • Short Video – A brief video message about how the training has influenced your teaching.
  • Written Testimonial – A written reflection about what you learned during your training or the importance of Structured Literacy.

While you will choose one of these formats, you have full flexibility to personalize your message within the selected option.

A guide with submission instructions and reflection prompts will be available soon.

APPLY TODAY!

Past Recipient Spotlight

See what past recipients have to say:

“The IDA AZ reimbursement scholarship is an incredible benefit of membership. I was able to virtually attend the 2019 IDA conference, which was full of powerful information. The scholarship process is clearly described, and reimbursement is timely.” – L. Dunn

 

“Thank you for processing the paperwork so quickly!  I received the reimbursement check yesterday, and I’m so grateful for IDA’s support. The Antioch class, Intro to Dyslexia, was so informative and empowering. I really feel like I learned so much about research, advocacy and ways to better support students and families.” -H Radtke

“IDA Arizona’s Reimbursement Scholarship Program is an invaluable resource for a new reading specialist like myself, or any teacher, to hone their craft to best serve our literacy students. The program afforded me an opportunity to garner a wealth of information at IDA’s Annual Reading, Literacy & Learning Conference (#DyslexiaCon24) that I would otherwise not have been able to attend.

I heard from leading experts in education and science, and solidified my knowledge of Structured Literacy. I am now better equipped to support our struggling readers and share this new knowledge with the staff at my school.

I am so very grateful.” — Michelle Grabowski

APPLY TODAY!

Applications are reviewed within 10-14 days of being submitted. If you have questions, please email info@arizonaida.org.

Disclaimer:  IDA Arizona created the Teacher Training Reimbursement Scholarship to support educators pursuing Structured Literacy instruction. We do not endorse specific programs, providers, or materials. Receiving scholarship funds does not imply endorsement.

It is IDA’s policy not to recommend or endorse any specific program, product, institution, company, or instructional material, noting that many may reflect the critical components of instruction outlined in IDA’s Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading. Any program, product, institution, company, or instructional material carrying the IDA seal of accreditation has been formally reviewed and meets these standards.

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