The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to announce a new student teacher stipend program aimed at addressing Pennsylvania's ongoing teacher shortage. 

Ten years ago, Pennsylvania certified approximately 20,000 new teachers every year. Now, the Commonwealth certifies approximately 5,000-6,000 new teachers each year. 

Last month, Pa. Governor Shapiro signed Act 33 of 2023 into law. The law establishes a $10 million Educator Pipeline Support Grant Program (PA Student Teach Support Program). 

The grants provides up to $15,000 to student teachers in Pennsylvania. PHEAA was selected as the administrator of the program. 

“Teachers devote their careers to supporting and educating our kids and it’s up to us to make sure they
have the resources and support they need to be successful,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “By making sure
student teachers get paid for their hard work, we will encourage more young people from all backgrounds
to choose this path of public service and put more teachers in our classrooms. That’s good for our kids,
good for our schools, and good for our communities and it’s another example of how we get stuff done for
the people of Pennsylvania.”

The program aims to alleviate the burden of student teachers taking on unpaid work as they complete their education. The program will award eligible student teachers in Pennsylvania with a minimum stipend of $10,000. 

To further incentivize teaching at a school entity with a high rate of open teaching positions or an area that attracts few student teachers, an additional $5,000 may be granted. 

Additionally, teachers who take time to mentor the student teachers may be eligible for a stipend of $2,500 under the program. 

To qualify for the stipend, students must commit to working as teachers in Pennsylvania for a minimum of
three years after completing their education.

Additional requirements include:

  •  Be enrolled in an approved PDE Educator Preparation Program at an institution of higher education in the Commonwealth
  • Meet the required academic performance standards (GPA)
  • Be placed in a student teacher position (students should work with your institution of higher
    education to ensure the position meets graduation and certification requirements)
  • Obtained all required clearances

More information on the PA Student Teacher Support program can be found here.