Student Teacher Stipend Program

Beginning July 1, 2026, there will be an online application system in which both the educator preparation program at institutions of higher education (IHE) and the local education agency (LEA) will have a role in providing information on the behalf of the student teacher. All applications will be based on the actual number of student teachers, identified by name, by when they begin clinical practice/student teaching as defined by the IHE, and by beginning their clinical practice at the LEA partner. . As such, and unlike other grant programs administered by the Commission, there will be no projections of potential student teachers. All grant funds will be distributed to the LEA grantee for payment to the student teacher.

Below are questions the Commission has received regarding the application process.

January 9, 2026

1. Q: How and when will preparation programs know which LEAs are participating in the Student Teacher Stipend Program?
   A: Because LEAs and IHEs are required to have MOUs in place for clinical practice placements of candidates, it is expected that both partners are having conversations about whether an LEA will participate in the program. Unlike other Commission-administered grant programs where applicants apply for grant funding by projecting the number of potential candidates who might receive grant funding, the Student Teacher Stipend Program will be based on the actual number of candidates identified by name, by when they begin clinical practice/student teaching as defined by the IHE, and by beginning their clinical practice at the LEA partner.
2. Q: We, as a higher education institution, are excited to see funds that will help remove significant financial barriers to student teaching. Can you please let us know how we can apply to participate in this program?
   A: Because the Student Teacher Stipend Program is funded by Proposition 98, grant funds for the Student Teacher Stipend Program will be distributed to LEAs for student teachers completing clinical practice with educator preparation programs at IHEs. Because student teaching involves partnership between LEAs and IHEs, both partner institutions will have a role in inputting information in the grants management system being created for this grant program and each will have requirements for reporting. The Commission will begin accepting applications after July 1, 2026.
3. Q: Will every university in the state of California with a student teaching program be able to have its candidates apply for the Student Teacher Stipend Program?
   A: Candidates will not apply for the Student Teacher Stipend Program. Instead, grant funds for this grant program will be distributed to LEAs on a first come, first served basis for student teachers completing clinical practice with educator preparation programs at IHEs. Because student teaching involves partnership between LEAs and IHEs, both partner institutions will have a role in inputting information in the grants management system being created for this grant program and each will have requirements for reporting. 
4. Q: When are the first grants anticipated to be awarded? Effective when?
   A: The Commission will begin accepting grant applications on July 1, 2026, and grant funds will be distributed following approval of applications.
5. Q: I'm looking for clarification about whether the $10,000 stipend will be provided by all local educational agencies across California to candidates who are student teachers/engaged in clinical practice? 
   A: Pursuant to Education Code 44400(b), “Local educational agency” means a school district, charter school, or county office of education. All LEAs falling within this definition are eligible to apply for the Student Teacher Stipend Program grant funding during the 2026-27 academic year to support student teachers in their schools, as identified by the partner IHE.
6. Q: Are there any action steps that are or may be needed by teacher preparation programs for this stipend program?
   A: Yes. First, there will be a role for preparation programs in the online application system to input the names and information about each student teacher. This initial step will start the application process for the local education agency (LEA) to which the grant funds will be distributed. Second, preparation programs could reach out to partner LEAs to alert them of this grant opportunity.
7. Q: Since stipend availability may be a factor in student teaching placements, when will LEAs be notified about whether they are approved/granted to provide the stipends to student teachers? 
   A: The Commission will begin accepting applications via an online system on July 1, 2026.  Because student teaching involves partnership between LEAs and IHEs, both partner institutions will have a role in inputting information in the grants management system being created for this grant program and each will have requirements for reporting. After both partners have completed the process, Grant Award Agreements (GAAs) will be generated for signature by the LEA grantee and the Commission. Following that, the process for generating a warrant payable to the LEA grantee will begin. Because there are many steps and it involves several state agencies to generate the payment, it may take 50 days or more from the time the GAA is signed to when the grant funds are received by the LEA grantee. The online application system will track the steps of the application process, and both partners will be able to see when student teachers are eligible for the stipend.
8. Q:Are higher education institutions eligible to apply for the STSP to administer to their student teachers involved in clinical practice?
   A: No. The Student Teacher Stipend Program is funded by Proposition 98 and as such, institutions of higher education (IHEs) are not eligible for this grant funding. However, because student teaching involves partnership between LEAs and IHEs, both partner institutions will have a role in inputting information in the grants management system being created for this grant program and each will have requirements for reporting.  
9. Q: How will students access this funding and at what time would students need to apply and where?
   A: Credential candidates will not apply for funding directly. Instead, IHEs and LEAs will work together to apply for the student teacher stipend grant funds on behalf of the student teacher, and the LEA will disseminate the grant funds to the student teachers in the manner described in the funded application.
10. Q: I am reaching out to ask if I may still qualify for the California Student Teacher Stipend Program. I will begin my student teaching at the start of next semester, in January 2026, and I wanted to confirm whether I would be eligible to apply for the grant.
    A: Funding for the Student Teacher Stipend Program is not available until the beginning of the 2026-27 fiscal year; therefore, grant funds will not be available to candidates until the 2026-27 academic year. Current student teachers may want to apply for the Golden State Teacher Grant Program, offered by the California Student Aid Commission.
11. Q: Where can I apply for the stipend program for my credential during the 2026-27 school year?
    A: Because student teachers do not apply directly for this grant program, it is recommended that as one applies to a credential program, the individual asks the program and/or the LEA about the Student Teacher Stipend Program. All educator preparation programs are in partnership with local education agencies (LEAs) (districts, county offices, charter schools) to place student teachers. An online application process is being developed, and the preparation program and LEA will have shared responsibility for the application process which will be posted on the Commission's Student Teacher Stipend Program webpage.
12. Q: Are there any requirements for LEAs to establish formal partnerships or agreements with colleges or universities in order to be eligible to apply for these grants?
    A: Yes. IHEs and their partner LEAs are required to have in place an approved  Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Partnership Agreement, or other agreement that clearly delineates the requirements of each candidate placement in alignment with the requirements of the Commission program standards for that program including expectations and criteria for veteran practitioners selection, training, and evaluation, and support and assessment roles and responsibilities for the program and the district. It is expected that there are formal partnerships between LEAs and IHEs, especially as it relates to clinical practice placements.
13. Q: Will there be a requirement to collect data on the student teachers once they enter the teaching profession?
    A: Some reporting will be required of both the local education agency (LEA) grantee and the institution of higher education (IHE) with the educator preparation program. Commission staff are working with a vendor to create a grants management system that will streamline both the application process and the reporting.
14. Q: Can the required hours of clinical practice take place over the course of two semesters?
    A: Yes. Because authoring legislation states that the grant funds are “established to support prospective educators during their completion of the 500 or more hours of student teaching” student teachers will be eligible as soon as their clinical practice/student teaching begins.
    Please note: Commission standards require 600 hours of clinical practice for all Preliminary Multiple Subject, Single Subject, PK-3 ECE, and Education Specialist programs. While authorizing legislation for the Student Teacher Stipend Program references only 500 hours, this in no way signals that candidates are not required to complete 600 hours or that educator preparation programs are not required to ensure each candidate gets 600 hours.
15. Q: How and when will preparation programs know which LEAs are participating in the program? 
    A: Because LEAs and IHEs are required to have MOUs in place for clinical practice placements of candidates, it is anticipated that both partners are having conversations about whether an LEA will participate in the program.
16. Q: Our district usually has 8 to 12 student teachers a year. Can we ask for enough grant funds to cover 20 student teachers?
    A: Unlike other Commission-administered grant programs where eligible applicants apply for grant funding by projecting the number of potential candidates, the Student Teacher Stipend Program will be based on the actual number  of student teachers, identified by name, by when they begin clinical practice/student teaching as defined by the IHE, and by beginning their clinical practice at the LEA partner.
17. Q: When will I get my stipend? Before, during, or after my student teaching?
    A: Authorizing legislation states that the Student Teacher Stipend Program is to "…support prospective educators during their completion of 500 hours or more of student teaching as part of their credential program's clinical practice." When the LEA determines to pay the student teacher will be detailed in their funded application. Commission guidance will be to disseminate the stipend to student teachers once the LEA receives the grant funds, which could be up to fifty days from the date of the Grant Award Agreement being signed.

For the purposes of the Student Teaching Stipend Program, Education Code 44400(d) states “ ‘Student teaching’ shall align to clinical practice guidance by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and refers to time spent in the classroom with a cooperating or mentor teacher, and includes, but is not limited to, coplanning, coteaching, guided teaching, and solo teaching. For the purposes of this program, service on an intern credential does not qualify as student teaching.”

At the time a student teacher starts clinical practice, as defined by the IHE, and begins clinical practice at the LEA partner, the IHE will start the shared process for applying for the Student Teacher Stipend on behalf of the student teacher.  

Below are questions the Commission has received regarding student teaching/clinical practice. 

January 30, 2026

1. Q: Is there a minimum time requirement that student teaching would need to take place at an LEA that is participating in STSP? Authorizing legislation does not include a time requirement. 
   A: If a student teacher is placed for one term in a LEA participating in STSP but is placed in a different LEA that is not participating in STSP for another term (or needs to change placements mid-term), what are the implications/considerations? The design for this program is that the LEA where the student teacher is placed first will disseminate the full $10,000 to the student teacher as authorizing legislation states that the stipend is to support the student teacher “during” the completion of their student teaching hours.
2. Q: [IHE’s name] Master of Arts in Teaching program takes place over the course of three terms. Are there any specific considerations to be kept in mind for the STSP, given the structure of the three terms of clinical coursework? 
   A: The term where the student teacher first does their clinical practice/student teaching is the term when they will receive their stipend.

January 9, 2026

3. Q: Are candidates who begin their student teaching hours before the 2026-27 academic year eligible to participate in the program?
   A: If a candidate is student teaching on or after July 1, 2026, they will be eligible for the student teacher stipend program.
4. Q: Can candidates receive a portion of the $10,000 stipend, for example if they complete some of their 500 hours of student teaching in a participating LEA, and some at a non-participating location, or if they complete some hours in a participating LEA, before an eligible time frame?
   A: Yes. Student teachers will be eligible for the entire $10,000 as soon as their clinical practice begins after July 1, 2026, and they are at the LEA that partnered with the IHE to complete the application process.
5. Q: Can the required hours of clinical practice take place over the course of two semesters?
   A: Yes.
6. Q: Is the 2026-27 academic year defined as beginning with the Fall 2026 semester, or is Summer 2026 summer school included?
   A: The 2026-27 fiscal/academic year begins on July 1. The first year of the Student Teacher Stipend Program is between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027. Candidates are considered eligible for the stipend when they begin clinical practice/student teaching.
7. Q: As part of this stipend, are you including both Clinical Practice in the classroom and writing of the Teacher Performance Assessment?
   A: Ed Code 44400 states that Student teaching "…shall align to clinical practice guidance by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and refers to the time spent in the classroom with a cooperating or mentor teacher, and includes, but is not limited to, coplanning, coteaching, guided teaching, and solo teaching."

For the purposes of the Student Teacher Stipend Program, Education Code 44400(c) states: a Prospective educator’ means a candidate enrolled in a program of professional preparation for a preliminary multiple subject, single subject, education specialist, or PK-3 early childhood education specialist instruction credential accredited by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Below are questions the Commission has received regarding who qualifies for the Student Teacher Stipend Program.

January 30, 2026

1. Q: Can a credentialed teacher, seeking an additional teaching credential qualify? For example, a Multiple Subjects teacher (clear credentialed) is pursuing a SPED MMSN credential and the program requires a minimum of 150 hours of clinical hours. 
   A: No, a teacher adding another credential will not be eligible for the Student Teacher Stipend. Authorizing legislation states that the STSP is for student teachers “…during their completion 500 or more hours of student teaching…” Adding a credential does not meet the threshold of 500 or more hours. 

January 9, 2026

2. Q: Is this program only for folks in a residency program or could it include folks in an intern program?
   A: This program is not for teacher residents in grant funded programs administered by the Commission or for interns. Section 44400(d) of authorizing legislation states: "For the purposes of this program, service on an intern credential does not qualify as student teaching.” Additionally, section 44400.02(b)(3) provides that “Local educational agencies hosting teacher residents may use student teacher stipends in cases where residents are not supported by residency stipends pursuant to Section 44415.5." Thus, neither interns nor residents being supported by Teacher Residency Grants qualify for the Student Teacher Stipend Program (STSP). If an LEA chooses to sustain a teacher residency program after its residency grant funds have expired, then its residents may qualify for a Student Teacher Stipend.
3. Q: Would this include interns?
   A: No. Education Code 44400(d) states: “For the purposes of this program, service on an intern credential does not qualify as student teaching.”
4. Q: Is this grant program to support K-12 educators or are ECE teachers included as well?
   A: For this grant program, Education Code 44400(c) defines a "Prospective educator" as "…a candidate enrolled in a program of professional preparation for a preliminary multiple subject, single subject, education specialist, or PK-3 early childhood education specialist instruction credential accredited by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing."
5. Q: Are graduate students who are pursuing the Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential eligible for the Student Teacher Stipend Program (STSP) for their clinical internships in the public-school setting?
   A: No. For this grant program, Education Code 44400(c) defines a "Prospective educator" as "…a candidate enrolled in a program of professional preparation for a preliminary multiple subject, single subject, education specialist, or PK-3 early childhood education specialist instruction credential accredited by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing."
6. Q: Who is eligible for the student teacher stipend? (a) Residents in Teacher Residency Programs? (b) Interns in credential intern programs? (c) Apprentices in teaching apprenticeship programs? (d) School Counselor residents? (PPS credentials?)
   A: For this grant program, Education Code 44400(c) defines a "Prospective educator" as "…a candidate enrolled in a program of professional preparation for a preliminary multiple subject, single subject, education specialist, or PK-3 early childhood education specialist instruction credential accredited by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing." Therefore:
   
   1. If the resident is enrolled in a teacher residency grant program that is funded through a Commission-administered grant, the resident IS NOT eligible for Student Teacher Stipend Program funding. If the resident is in a locally funded teacher residency program, the resident IS eligible for the Student Teacher Stipend Program funding.
   2. Interns are NOT eligible for the Student Teacher Stipend Program.
   3. Apprentices ARE eligible for the Student Teacher Stipend Program UNTIL they are teachers of record.
   4. School Counselor or anyone seeking a PPS credential ARE NOT eligible for the Student Teacher Stipend Program.

    

7. Q: Will these stipends be available to all student teachers, regardless of the specific credentials they are seeking? Will this also apply to individuals working towards the PPS credentials? 
   A: For the Student Teacher Stipend Program, authorizing legislation defines the prospective educator as: “(c) … a candidate enrolled in a program of professional preparation for a preliminary multiple subject, single subject, education specialist, or PK-3 early childhood education specialist instruction credential accredited by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.” As such, individuals working toward PPS credentials may not be supported by STSP funds.
8. Q: I am a new CTE teacher, does the stipend apply to me?
   A: No. For the Student Teacher Stipend Program, authoring legislation defines the prospective educator as: “(c) … a candidate enrolled in a program of professional preparation for a preliminary multiple subject, single subject, education specialist, or PK-3 early childhood education specialist instruction credential accredited by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.” As such, CTE teacher candidates do not qualify for STSP funds.
9. Q: We have student teachers beginning their student teaching in the spring of 2026, but they will not finish until fall 2026. Do they qualify for the stipend?
   A: Yes. Since the student teachers will be continuing their clinical practice in the fall, the LEA and IHE may complete the online application for these individuals after July 1, 2026, when they begin their fall student teaching.

January 30, 2026

1. Q: Regarding the STSP, coming later this year, if a candidate is removed from the program or leave on their own recognizance, during their clinical practice semester; does the candidate have to pay back the funds? 
   A: Authorizing legislation does not include a requirement to payback grant funds or a service commitment. 
2. Q: It states that "Authorizing legislation does not include a service commitment for student teachers benefiting from this grant program." If a candidate were to withdraw, be dismissed or need to take a leave during the program after having received the STSP funds, are there any implications?
   A: There are no implications except that when/if the student teacher returns to complete their program, they will not be eligible for another student teaching stipend. 

January 9, 2026

3. Q: Is there a limit on how many student teachers can receive a stipend from the LEA?
   A: There is no limit per LEA as to how many stipends are requested and paid; however, there is a limit of $100 million dollars of grant funding available per fiscal year, which equates to 10,000 student teachers a year statewide. Authorizing legislation notes that the Commission shall prioritize student teacher stipend applications for each fiscal year on a first come, first served basis.
4. Q: Is the $10,000 stipend tied to any commitment? Do teacher candidates need to commit to a certain number of years to the LEA? 
   A: Authorizing legislation does not include a service commitment for student teachers benefiting from this grant program.
5. Q: Other than completing at least 500 hours of student teaching, are there any additional eligibility requirements for student teachers to qualify for the $10,000 stipend?
   A: To clarify, authorizing legislation states that the Student Teacher Stipend Program is to "…support prospective educators during their completion of 500 or more hours of student teaching…"  Additionally, there is a requirement that the student teacher "Provides evidence of their valid certificate or permit issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing that required professional fitness review." In most cases for student teachers this requirement will be satisfied by a Certificate of Clearance (COC) or a substitute teacher credential.
   
6. Q: I noticed that authorizing legislation mentions Kern County. So, is the $10,000 for any district? Or is it only available for Kern County Schools? 
   A: The $10,000 stipend is for any eligible LEA. Kern County Superintendent of Schools is collaborating with the Commission to build a grants management system that will result in an online application for this grant program, on a multi-media campaign advertising this grant and about becoming a teacher, and on an evaluation of the grant program. Any LEA that hosts student teachers as a result of collaboration with an IHE will be eligible for grant funding.
7. Q: Will there be any funds to support the district personnel who manage this grant?
   A: No. Authorizing legislation did not include grant funds for purposes of program administration.
8. Q: Can the Student Teacher Stipend be combined with existing residency grants or other Commission-administered programs?
   A: The Student Teacher Stipend Program cannot be combined with Teacher Residency Grant Programs that are funded through the Commission. If the Teacher Residency Program is locally funded or federally funded, the LEA may obtain STSP funds for its resident teachers. Teacher Residency is the only program noted in authorizing legislation that cannot be combined with the STSP. The STSP can be combined with the Golden State Teacher Grant Program. 
9. Q: How will the stipend funds be issued: directly to LEAs, programs, or student teachers?
   A: Funds will be distributed to LEAs to pay student teachers once a Grant Award Agreement between the LEA and the Commission is fully executed. Commission guidance to LEAs will be to disseminate the stipend to student teachers once the LEA receives the grant funds, which could be up to fifty days from the date the Grant Award Agreement is signed.
10. Q: When do you anticipate the online portal to go live and be available to LEAs?
    A: The online application will be ready for use beginning July 1, 2026, for candidates completing clinical practice during the 2026-27 academic year.
11. Q: Our institution offers an online only program for the credential. Will that hinder a student teacher's chance to get a stipend?
    A: For the Student Teacher Stipend Program, as long as the student teacher is in a Commission-approved program in a credential area authorized by legislation, there will be no hindrance.  Education code 44400(c) defines the prospective educator as “… a candidate enrolled in a program of professional preparation for a preliminary multiple subject, single subject, education specialist, or PK-3 early childhood education specialist instruction credential accredited by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.”
12. Q: Any timeline or preparation recommended for candidates planning to student teach in 2026–2027?
    A: Authorizing legislation does require that student teachers have “Evidence of their valid certificate or permit issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing that required professional fitness review.” Usually, this is a Certificate of Clearance or a substitute teaching credential. It is recommended that one begins the process for the Certificate of Clearance sooner rather than later. Sometimes the clearance with the Department of Justice can take longer than one expects. No student teacher stipends will be funded without evidence of professional fitness review.