In 2003, the Brown University Steering Committee on Slavery and Justice was created by then-University President Ruth Simmons “to investigate and issue a public report on the University’s historical relationship to slavery and the transatlantic slave trade.” The final report recommended that the university contributes to K-12 education, and the Brown Corporation approved a collection of initiatives to take action in response. One of these initiatives declared, “The University will provide free tuition to as many as 10 admitted graduate students per year who, after successful completion of a master’s degree in teaching or a master’s degree in urban education policy, agree to serve in Providence-areas schools or surrounding area schools for a minimum of three years.”

The Urban Education Fellowship (UEF) reflects the Department’s and University’s commitment to Providence’s local urban community by providing loan forgiveness for up to ten MAT and UEP students each year who stay in the community for at least three years serving urban students and schools. Upon graduation, Fellows must complete the three-year commitment in its entirety in order to have the loan canceled. Applicants can apply for the Fellowship when they apply to the MAT and UEP programs.