PA Student Teacher Support Program Information

The PA Student Teacher Support Program is designed to address the financial strain caused by student teaching requirements, incentivize completion at Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and non-public schools that struggle to attract educators, and to reduce teacher shortages in Pennsylvania. The program provides financial support to students enrolled in a PA Department of Education approved teacher preparation program and who are completing their student teaching requirements.

A New Program for Student Teachers

This program will be available to student teachers beginning with the 2024-25 academic year.

Is My LEA or Non-Public School Eligible?

To be considered for the PA Student Teacher Support Program, the LEA or non-public school must:

• Be located in Pennsylvania.
• Be a school district, intermediate unit, private school, area career and technical school, charter school, regional charter school, or cyber charter school.
• Submit all PHEAA-required documentation for program participation.
• Employ a cooperating teacher to be assigned to the student teacher that meets eligibility requirements.
• Use 100% of the awarded funds to compensate the student teacher and cooperating teacher.

Cooperating Teacher Eligibility

To be considered for the PA Student Teacher Support Program, you must:

• Hold a certification in the subject area in which you will be providing guidance to the student teacher.
• Have received at least 3 years of satisfactory ratings as a certified teacher.
• Have at least 1 year of certificated teaching experience in the LEA or non-public school where the student teacher is placed.
• Mentor a student teacher approved to participate in the PA Student Teacher Support Program.

Student Teacher Eligibility

To be considered for the PA Student Teacher Support Program, a student teacher must:

• Be currently enrolled in an institution of higher education located in Pennsylvania.
• Be currently enrolled in an approved educator preparation program.
• Meet the minimum GPA requirement of 3.0.
• Be placed in a position as a student teacher at an approved location. Placement is not required at the time of the student's application, but it is required by the placement deadline.
  • Locations include: School districts, intermediate units, private schools, area career and technical schools, charter schools, regional charter schools, or cyber charter schools.
• Have obtained the required clearances for employment in public or private schools in Pennsylvania.
• Agree to work as a teacher at an LEA or non-public school within Pennsylvania for a period of no less than 3 years.
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  • A permanent resident is defined as a non-citizen who is legally permitted to live and work in the United States permanently.
• Be placed in a non-paid position as a student teacher.
  • Temporary substitute teaching is permitted but must not exceed 10 days during the student teaching term.

What Are the Award Amounts?

The PA Student Teacher Support Program provides the following:

• $10,000 to student teachers who meet program requirements.
• An additional $5,000 is available to student teachers working in high-need areas which attract few student teachers or have a high rate of open positions.
• A grant payment of $2,500 may also be available to the student teacher's cooperating teacher.

Awardees that fail to meet the 3-year commitment may be required to repay the awarded funds.