(WAND) - An organization fighting the country's teacher shortage is now taking applications. 

The Golden Apple Foundation offers two programs — the Scholars Program and the Accelerators Program. 

The Scholars Program recruits undergraduate students and gives them funds to get a teaching degree. Students will commit to teaching at a school of need for five years. 

The Accelerators Program will help college graduates get a free teaching degree. 

Golden Apple Foundation President Alan Mather said these programs help ensure that future teachers do not feel alone. 

"You build a community, and sometimes people leave the profession and don't stay in the profession because they don't have that level of support. That level of support from other people who are going through exactly what you are going through when you're going through it is absolutely vital to keeping people in the profession," Mather said. 

Those interested in applying can head out to Golden Apple's website. 

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