Minnesota Teacher Candidate Grant

If you have questions about this program, please contact the staff member listed on this page via email. If a staff member is not listed, please email info.ohe@state.mn.us and provide a detailed description of your question.

The Minnesota Teacher Candidate Grant provides postsecondary financial assistance to eligible students enrolled in Minnesota teacher preparation programs during one term in which the student is completing a required 12-week or more student teaching experience. The program has two goals. One, to encourage individuals, particularly those who belong to a racial or ethnic group underrepresented in the Minnesota teacher workforce, to become teachers. Two, to encourage students to teach in Minnesota in designated license field and geographical shortage areas.

How much money can you get?

On a funds available basis, selected undergraduate and graduate students may receive awards of up to $7,500 for one term.

Who is Eligible?

In general, applicants must:

• Be enrolled in an eligible Minnesota college or university in an eligible teacher preparation program that requires at least 12 weeks of student teaching in order for the teacher candidate to be recommended for a Tier 3 license;
• Intend to teach in an identified license field or geographical shortage area or belong to a racial or ethnic group underrepresented in the Minnesota teacher workforce;
• Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Minnesota Dream Act application for the aid year; and
• Demonstrate financial need.

What's the Application Process?

A student must submit a complete application to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education for the term in which the student is completing a required 12-week or more student teaching experience. 

Complete applications must include the following:

• Student Section including all the required information that is signed and dated;
• College or University Section completed by an authorized representative at the college or university you attend that includes all of the required information; and
• Completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Minnesota Dream Act application.

Click here to apply online or contact our office if you need a paper application.  If you apply online, please remember to communicate with your school to submit the College or University Section of the application. 

What's the Selection Process?

Grants are awarded, in part, based on the date your application is complete. Complete Application Date is the date all documentation needed for a complete application has been submitted to OHE.

Priority Deadlines:

Fall 2020: August 14th, 2020

Spring/Summer 2021: December 11th, 2020

All awards are based on funds availability. Eligible students with complete applications on file by the dates above will be considered for awards in the specified term.  After all available funds have been awarded, completed applications will be placed on a waiting list. Applications will still be accepted after these dates but students are much less likely to be awarded. 

A percentage of award funds are reserved for eligible applicants who belong to a racial or ethnic group underrepresented in the Minnesota teacher workforce.

Eligible Colleges and Universities

• Augsburg University
• Bemidji State University
• Bethany Lutheran College
• Bethel University
• Carleton College
• College of St. Benedict
• College of St. Scholastica
• Concordia College, Moorhead
• Concordia University, St. Paul
• Crown College
• Gustavus Adolphus College
• Hamline University
• Martin Luther College
• Metropolitan State University
• Minnesota State University, Mankato
• Minnesota State University, Moorhead
• North Central University
• Southwest Minnesota State University
• St. Catherine University
• St. Cloud State University
• St. John's University
• St. Mary's University of Minnesota
• St. Olaf College
• University of Minnesota, Crookston
• University of Minnesota, Duluth
• University of Minnesota, Morris
• University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
• University of Northwestern, St. Paul
• University of St. Thomas
• Walden University
• Winona State University

Eligible Teacher Preparation Program/Licensure Area

Please click here to refer to the eligible teacher preparation program/licensure areas considered to be designated teacher shortage areas.

“Shortage area” means a license field or economic development region within Minnesota defined as a shortage area by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board in coordination with the commissioner using data collected for the teacher supply and demand report under MN Statute 122A.091, subdivision 5.