HARRISBURG, PA — Student teachers in Pennsylvania can now apply for up to $10,000 in financial support as part of a state effort to strengthen the educator workforce and reduce barriers to entering the profession.
What This Means for You
- Eligible student teachers can receive up to $10,000 in stipends
- Participants must commit to teaching in PA for three years
- Mentors can receive up to $2,500 for supporting student teachers
The PA Student Teacher Support Program will provide stipends on a first-come, first-served basis to individuals completing required classroom training as part of their education degrees.
To qualify, applicants must be enrolled in a Pennsylvania-based educator preparation program, maintain at least a 3.0 GPA, complete required background clearances, and secure a student teaching placement within the Commonwealth.
Program Requirements and Benefits
Recipients must agree to work as a teacher in Pennsylvania for at least three years after completing their program.
The initiative also includes payments of up to $2,500 for cooperating teachers — experienced educators who mentor student teachers during their placements.
Student teaching is typically an unpaid requirement for certification, meaning participants complete full-time classroom work without compensation. The stipend is intended to offset those financial challenges.
“Teaching is a challenging, rewarding, and critical job, and future educators deserve financial support while they’re working in the classroom during their required student teacher assignments,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe.
Funding and Demand
In the current 2025–26 school year, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency received more than 3,500 applications and awarded stipends to approximately 2,300 student teachers.
The governor’s proposed 2026–27 budget includes an additional $5,000,000 for the program, increasing total annual funding to $35,000,000.
Application Timeline
Applications for the program are due by September 15, 2025.
Applicants do not need to have secured a placement at the time of applying, but must do so by the program’s placement deadline.
More information and application details are available at https://www.pheaa.org/funding-opportunities/pa-student-teacher-support-program.
Broader Education Investment
State officials said the stipend program is part of a larger effort to expand access to education and address workforce needs.
Recent funding increases include nearly $2,000,000,000 for K-12 public schools, $190,000,000 for special education, and $52,000,000 for higher education.
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency administers the program and continues to provide student financial aid services statewide.
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