Minnesota Student Teacher Grants

 

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 financialaid.ohe@state.mn.us and provide a detailed description of your question.

The Minnesota Student Teacher Grants (STG) is a financial aid program that aims to support students in becoming teachers in Minnesota by providing postsecondary financial assistance to eligible undergraduate and graduate students during the term the student is completing the required 12-week or more student teaching experience in order to attain their initial teaching license. Click here to view a fact sheet about Minnesota Student Teacher Grants.

There are two grants available based on eligibility:

The Minnesota Student Teachers in Shortage Areas Grant (STSA) is available to eligible students who intend to teach in a license shortage area or rural school district after graduating and receiving their teaching license.

The Minnesota Underrepresented Student Teacher Grant (USTG) is available to eligible students who belong to a racial or ethnic group underrepresented in the Minnesota teacher workforce.

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 PELSB-approved Minnesota teacher preparation program that requires at least 12 weeks of student teaching for initial licensure;
• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as defined by the institution;
• Not be in default on a federal or state student loan;
• Demonstrate financial need; and
• Meet one or more of the following requirements:
  1. Intend to teach in a designated rural school district in Minnesota.
  2. Intend to teach in an identified license shortage area.
  3. Belong to a racial or ethnic group underrepresented in the Minnesota teacher workforce.

A complete application must be submitted to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education during the academic year in which the student is completing the required 12-week or more student teaching experience. A student may only receive the award for the term of their student teaching experience.

Complete applications must include the following:

• Student Teacher Grants application;
• Completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Minnesota Dream Act application; and
• Financial data form submitted by the Financial Aid Office at the institution the student attends.

2024-2025 Application - available on June 1, 2024

Apply for the 2024-2025 Student Teacher Grants on the MNAid Student Portal. View how to apply for the Student Teacher Grants online here. Paper application is available upon request. Email info.ohe@state.mn.us.

Priority Application Deadlines for Student Teaching Terms:
Fall 2024: July 26, 2024
Spring 2025: November 8, 2024

All awards are based on funds availability. Applications will still be accepted after the priority deadlines but eligible students will most likely be placed on the waitlist. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

What's the Selection Process?

Eligible students with complete applications on file by the priority dates for the specified term will be considered for an award. Applications submitted after the priority deadline will be reviewed based the availabilty of funds. Students will be notified of their application status via email.

If there are insufficient funds to provide an award to all eligible applicants, the applications will be prioritize based on the financial need of an applicant and then based on which program the student qualifies for.

What are the License Shortage Areas?

Only licensure areas within the following fields may be identified as a license shortage area for the Student Teachers in Shortage Areas Grant. Click here to view the full list of the identified License Shortage Areas.

1. English as a second language
2. Early childhood
3. Special education
4. Career and technical education
5. Science, technology, engineering, arts, and math
6. World languages

• Student Teacher Grants in Shortage Areas 2024
• Underrepresented Student Teacher Grant 2024
• Student Teacher Grants in Shortage Areas 2023
• Underrepresented Student Teacher Grant 2023
• Student Teacher Grants in Shortage Areas 2022
• Underrepresented Student Teacher Grant 2022