Financial Supports

Alliant University Pathway to Teaching Grant 

$5,000

If you are currently working in a classified position at a California school district or county office of education, you could be eligible for the $5,000 Pathway to Teaching grant. This grant can help partially fund your online teaching credential program at the California School of Education (CSOE) at Alliant. We prepare students to earn their credentials in multiple subject teaching, single subject teaching, and education specialist instruction, mild to moderate support needs.

Cal Grant Programs

Financial aid amount dependent on the program award type:

• Cal Grant Competitive Awards
• Cal Grant B Foster Youth Award
• Cal Grant C Award

Eligibility Requirements:

• Submit the FAFSA or CADAA application and your verified Cal Grant GPA by the deadline
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen or meet AB540 eligibility criteria
• Be a California resident for 1 year
• Attend a qualifying California college
• Do not have a bachelor’s or professional degree
• Have financial needs at the college of your choice
• Have family income and assets below the minimum levels
• Be enrolled or plan to enroll in a program leading to an undergraduate degree or certificate
• Be enrolled or plan to enroll at least half time
• Do not owe a refund on any state or federal grant or be in default on a student loan
• Do not be incarcerated
• Maintain the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards as established by the school. Recipients who do not meet the standards are ineligible for Cal Grant payment and will not use eligibility during the terms they are ineligible for payment.

California College Promise Grant

For eligible California residents, the California Community Colleges Promise Grant permits enrollment fees to be waived.

Eligibility:

• Based on financial need when a student is determined a California resident or exempt from non-resident fees under the California Dream Act.

Many California community colleges offer online California College Promise Grant applications through CCCApply.
 

California State University Scholarship Programs

A wide variety of scholarships offered by generous donors are available for California State University students.

SDCOE, in collaboration with Orange County Department of Education, Imperial County Office of Education, and Butte County Office of Education, has been awarded the Classified Employee Teacher Recruitment Grant through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing which provides approximately $3,500 per year to assist classified employees pursue their teaching credentials.

• The purpose of this grant is to help offset the cost of completing a teacher credential program for individuals applying for their first teaching credential. 
  • Grant 1: Through SDCOE for a PK-3 Early Childhood Specialist or Education Specialist credential.
  • Grant 2: Through SDCOE as part of a larger consortium of grant partners including OCDE, SBCSS, BCOE, and ICOE for Single Subject or Multiple Subject credentials 

• Requirements include:
  • Employed as a classified employee at a San Diego County district, charter, or county office
  • Prior completion of least 60 degree-applicable semester units from a regionally accredited college/university

If you are interested in participating in this grant opportunity, please contact your district human resource services office to verify their participation in the grant.  Your human resource office will have the application materials required to submit to the program.

Federal Pell Grants

Amounts can change yearly. The maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $7,395 for the 2025–26 award year (July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026).

Eligibility Requirements:

You should start by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. You will have to fill out the FAFSA form every year you’re in school in order to stay eligible for federal student aid.

Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria Scholarship Fund

Provides in-state systemwide Tuition and Student Services Fees and Campus Fees for students who are California Native Americans but not members of a federally recognized tribe.
 
Eligibility Requirements: Must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Not a member of a Federally Recognized tribe;
2. Either:
   • Have a certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) showing a California tribal  affiliation; or 
   • Descend from a person with a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) showing a California tribal affiliation, on the California census rolls of 1928 or 1933, or on the California Judgment Fund Rolls of 1953 or 1972;
3. California Resident;
4. Current or newly admitted UC undergraduate, graduate, or professional school student; and
5. Enrolled in a Qualifying UC Degree Program.
    

Full Circle & Tribal College Scholarships

The American Indian College Fund provides scholarships to American Indian and Alaska Native college students seeking undergraduate and graduate degrees at tribal colleges, nonprofit, and accredited schools. Students attending for-profit colleges and universities are not eligible
 
Eligibility:

• Any Native American U.S. citizen that is a member or descendant of a state or federally recognized tribe
• At least a 2.0 grade point average
• Enrolled as a full-time student can apply for a scholarship.
   

Golden State Teacher Grant (GSTG)

The Golden State Teacher Grant (GSTG) Program awards up to $20,000 to students currently enrolledin a Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)-approved teacher preparation program and are working toward earning their preliminary teaching credential in a high-need field at a priority school in California.

To qualify, students must:

• Be enrolled in an eligible teacher preparation program
• Commit to teaching at a priority school in California for six years within five years of completing their program
• Submit a free FAFSA® Application  Federal Student Aid or  CA Dream Act Application (CADAA)
• Complete and submit the Golden State Teacher Grant Program Application  to qualify.
   

  Students must:

• Complete their program and obtain their credential within 6 years from the date their initial GSTG payments are mailed to their institution.
• Commit to work at either a priority school or a California State Preschool Program (CSPP) for either 2 or 4 years in accordance with the terms of their specific Service Agreement.

For full eligibility requirements, a list of priority schools, and the most current application details, visit the official California Student Aid Commission GSTG website.

Middle Class Scholarship (MCS)

Award Amount: Varies based on the student's cost of attendance and all available resources already awarded to the student. Final award amounts are based on number of students eligible for the program statewide and funding allocated by the State Budget (Exception for Foster Youth). 

Eligibility Requirements:

• Be a California resident attending a University of California (UC), California State University (CSU), or a CA Community College (CCC) Bachelor’s degree program
• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or meet requirements for non-tuition exemption (such as AB 540)
• Academic-year specific: Meet income and asset ceilings
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards
• Not be in default on a student loan or incarcerated

National University Associate Degree for Transfer Scholarship

$10,000* tuition reduction offer to apply to Bachelor programs.

Target Audience:
California Community Colleges (CCC) Transfer Students who have recently earned their Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), Associate of Arts (AA), or Associate of Science (AS) degree within 36 months of applying to NU are eligible for the transfer scholarship pricing of $880 per course.

Study.com Student Scholarships

For current and prospective students. 

Each scholarship offers a $500 academic award to its winner. All scholarships are awarded biannually with a June 30th and December 15th deadline. Selection will be based on academic history and extracurricular activities. Financial need will not be considered.

TEACH Grant

Up to $4,000 a year to students who are completing or plan to complete coursework needed to begin a career in teaching.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Meet the basic eligibility criteria for the federal student aid programs.
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form.
• Be enrolled as an undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or graduate student at a school that participates in the TEACH Grant Program.
• Be enrolled in a TEACH-Grant-eligible program.
• Meet certain academic achievement requirements (generally, scoring above the 75th percentile on one or more portions of a college admissions test or maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25). For specific information about the academic requirements, talk to the financial aid office at your college or career school.
• Receive TEACH Grant counseling that explains the terms and conditions of the TEACH Grant service obligation. You must complete counseling each year that you receive a TEACH Grant.
• Sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to serve or repay.

The CA Dream Act Application

The CA Dream Act Application allows students interested in attending eligible California colleges, universities, and career education programs to apply for state financial aid. This application is unrelated to the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

California Dream Act Online Application 

Satisfy either items 1 or 2 (Time and Coursework Requirement)

1. Three (3) or more years of full-time attendance or attainment of equivalent credits earned in California from the following schools (or any combination thereof):

A. High School 
B. Adult School 
C. Community College (credit or non-credit courses) or

2. Three (3) or more years of full-time high school coursework and attended a combination of elementary, middle and/or high school in California for a combined total of three (3) or more years.

AND Satisfy any from item 3 (Graduation and/or Transfer Requirement)
3. Graduation and/or transfer requirements:

A. Graduate from a California high school, or
B. Obtain a GED, HiSET or TASC in California, or
C. Attain an associate degree from a California Community College, or
D. Fulfilled the minimum transfer requirements to transfer from a California Community College to a University of California or California State University

Tuition discounts can be applied to credentials and degree programs

The School of Education and the School of Behavioral Sciences offer a 10 percent tuition discount for eligible employees of the following districts, counties, and charter schools who will start in a graduate education program through the School of Education.

Please note: The School of Education’s doctoral program (EdD in Educational Leadership) is not eligible for any MOU discount. The discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid.

• Bonita Unified School District
• Etiwanda School District
• Menifee Unified School District
• San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools
• San Diego County Superintendent of Schools 
• San Jacinto Unified School District
• Snowline Joint Unified School District

Students fill out the MOU Discount Form and provide proof of employment every year of enrollment. Contact Student Services Center for complete eligibility details.

Cal Baptist University CBU- Preferred Partnership Program

California Baptist University has partnered with select employers to provide their employees the opportunity to advance educational goals while maximizing the following benefits

• 20% tuition scholarship
• Free application process
• Selection of more than 160 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs
• Online and on-campus
• World-class professors and academic support

Escondido Union School District- Palomar College- Paraeducator Partnership Program (P3)

EUSD staff can earn an associates transfer degree in Liberal Studies and School Age Child Development Certificate through Palomar College while simultaneously working as a paraeducator in EUSD. 
Limited to 40 participants per cohort/year

Program Highlights:

• Full Time Employment as a Paraeducator in Escondido Union School District 30 hours a week
• Qualifies for comprehensive benefits package and for CalPERS retirement
• Attend classes at the Escondido Union School District on two afternoons/evenings a week in a cohort model after the work day.
• Day care provided for school aged children
• Books and tuition paid by EUSD
• Earn an AA degree, Early Adolescence Authorization, and CSU transferable credit with a three year estimated timeline
• Limited to 40 participants per cohort/year
• Earn up to $32,000 a year as a Paraeducator with full benefits and retirement.
• Serve the Escondido Community and change the life of a student.
• Grow your experience in the field of education while your CSU transferable AA degree is paid for.

Tuition discounts can be applied to bachelor’s and master’s degree programs

has partnered with San Diego County Office of Education to bring a 25% tuition reduction scholarship to employees and program participants looking to expand their knowledge and skills for professional and personal growth. Tuition discounts can be applied to bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.  Please speak to an advisor for details and provide them your partnership code: SDCOE!


 

Northbridge University (formerly known as NUC University)- Tuition Savings Through ElevatEd
SDCOE employees now have access to exclusive benefits designed to make earning a degree more affordable and achievable. These include online academic courses, a 10% tuition discount, application fee waiver, and transcript evaluation. 

PLNU is proud to offer discounts (10%-20%) for all School of Education programs for educators and employees within a variety of institutions and school districts. Expand your opportunities and effectiveness in teaching and supporting students as they learn and grow. 

Tuition discounts can be applied to bachelor's and master's degree programs

UMass Global is a private, non-profit university. We offer hybrid classes at our San Diego campus as well as fully online options. We are CTC accredited and offer CA Teaching Credentials within our School of Education.

Through our partnership with SDCOE, you will receive a 10-20% scholarship off of tuition that also extends to your spouse and dependents. 
Please visit us at to find out more: UMass Global Partnership with SDCOE
 

Earn your Master of Education

The online Master of Education program is designed for practicing K-12 teachers with a minimum of two years of teaching experience in a wide variety of classroom settings, including public district, charter, private, independent and non-traditional schools. It also serves educators pursuing leadership positions such as principal and superintendent, as well as those seeking careers in Ed Tech and corporate educational roles.

SDCOE teachers get a 15% discount

Learn more at medonline.sandiego.edu
medonline@sandiego.edu | (619) 260-4585

CalKIDS

Children born in California starting on July 1, 2022, and eligible low-income public school students are awarded a CalKIDS college savings account with an initial deposit in it. Enrollment is automatic and families are not required to contribute.

All children born in California on or after July 1, 2022 have a CalKIDS Scholarship waiting for them.

• $25 for children born between July 2022 and June 2023
• $100 for children born on or after July 1, 2023
• $25 bonus when you claim your CalKIDS Scholarship Account
• $50 bonus when you link your CalKIDS account with a ScholarShare 529 account

Low-income Public School Students,1st–12th Grade students receive a:

There are two groups of California public-school students who may be eligible for a CalKIDS Scholarship:

• Public school students enrolled in grades 1-12 during the 2021-2022 academic year

Public school students enrolled in the 1st grade during the 2022-2023 academic year and every school year thereafter

Scholarship Award Amounts:

• $500 for low-income or English learner public school students
• $500 more for foster youth
• $500 more for homeless youth

Confirm Eligibiity

To be eligible, your child must have been enrolled on Fall Census Day** and must also be identified as English Learner or low-income by the Local Control Funding Formula. And, that information must be reported to the California Department of Education.

GI Bill Benefits

GI Bill benefits help you pay for school and cover expenses while you’re training for a job. Since 1944, the GI Bill has helped qualifying Veterans and their family members get money to cover all or some of the costs for school or training.

Eligibility Requirements Dependent on GI Bill Benefits Type:

• Post-9/11 GI Bill
• Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
• Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserves (MGIB-SR)

#CaliforniansForAll College Corps

College Corps is a statewide, paid service program, which provides meaningful work to college. Students who complete 450 hours of service with College Corps will receive the following benefits:

Up to $10,000 – which includes a living allowance throughout the service term and an Education Award upon completion:

• Academic credit (amount and type to be determined by each partner campus) 
• A real-world job experience and skills to add to their resume
• Access to training, networking, and professional development opportunities 
• A sense of pride and accomplishment in working toward a common purpose alongside young leaders from across the state

General Eligibility:

To apply, students should meet the following minimum eligibility criteria:

• Full-time, enrolled undergraduate student at a College Corps partner campus
• Has a high school diploma or its equivalent by start of program
• Must currently be and remain in good academic standing 
• Ability to commit to the program for the full academic year
• Must be a US Citizen, US National, legal permanent resident, or AB 540 CA Dream Act Student 

Financial Need:

Eligible students should meet at least one of the following four criteria:

• Qualifies for a Federal Pell Grant
• Qualifies for State Cal Grant
• Qualifies for Middle Class Scholarship
• Needs to work part-time and/or borrow student loans to meet educational costs

Undocumented Students:

• Is an AB-540 CA Dream Act Student
• Is a Cal Grant A or B recipient (Note: this requirement may be waived at some participating campuses; please consult your institution for more details.)
   

Child Development Training Consortium

The Child Development Training Consortium (CDTC) is a statewide program funded by the California Department of Education, Early Learning and Care Division (CDE/ELCD) with federal Child Care and Development Quality Improvement funds. The program is administered by the Yosemite Community College District and serves all of California.

Child Development Permit Stipends:
The Child Development Training Consortium (CDTC) Permit Stipend Program pays the permit application fee to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) for eligible applicants.

Eligibility Info:

• Applicant must live OR work in California in order to be eligible for the stipend.
• Stipends are available once per program year per applicant. The current program year runs from July 1 to June 30. 
• Stipend availability and deadlines for applications will be posted on the permit page near the end of each program year.
• Funding is first come, first served. When funding has been expended, applications will be returned to the applicant. Applicants are then responsible to apply directly to the Commission and include the application fee.

Educational Support Grant:
This program provides support for specific educational expenses to students attending California Community Colleges. Students pursuing a career in early childhood or child development MAY be eligible to apply for the Educational Support Grant.

Grant funding (to support tuition and/or textbook costs) is based on the submission of a complete application, the number of eligible students, and the successful completion of courses with a grade of "C" or better. Limited funding is first come, first served.

Eligible courses could include

• ECE/Child Development coursework
• general education coursework
• remedial courses
•  child development work experience (general work experience course excluded).

Priority 1: Employees of all direct-funded CDSS/CDE programs including center-based programs and family child care network programs or center-based programs with satellite family child care providers. This also includes co-located Head Start Programs. Employees of any program, center-based or licensed family child care homes, that serve children on a voucher basis for Alternative Payment services. Employees of all other programs including center-based and licensed family child care homes are eligible.

Priority 2: Students who are not currently employed (as described in the above Priority 1 requirement) and enrolled in at least a three-unit ECE/Child Development (CD) Practicum/Student Teaching course or in at least two (2) core Child Development/Early Childhood Education courses as approved by the campus administrator and/or CDTC staff. 

Additional eligibility criteria are included in the online application

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

If you’re employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, you might be eligible for the PSLF Program. The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans

• after you’ve made the equivalent of 120 qualifying monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan, and

• while working full-time for an eligible employer.

*Executive Order About the PSLF Program-
We are reviewing the recent Executive Order regarding the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. There are no changes to PSLF currently, and borrowers do not need to take any action.

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union-Special Curriculum and Teaching Credential Loans

Special Curriculum Loans and Teaching Credential Loans for school employees are available to help cover tuition, books, and other expenses associated with advanced educational programs or professional certifications. 

What you need:

• Be a school employee.
• Have proof of enrollment in an approved program 
• Complete a Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification form.
• Have a SchoolsFirst FCU account in good standing.​
• Submit a loan application and credit qualify.

SDCOE Early Education Stipends 

Please review the information and stipend orientation on the SDCOE Early Education page to determine your eligibility and understand the steps and requirements for applying.

Planning and options to paying for college. 

Funding Your Future in Teaching 

This guide outlines financial planning steps and key federal and state aid options for aspiring teachers. It also highlights financial supports specific to teacher residency programs.

Personal Goal Tracking Sheet

This goal-setting tool helps aspiring teachers clarify their goals, break them into manageable action steps, and track progress over time. It also provides space to reflect on challenges, celebrate successes, and make adjustments—building the habits and skills essential for success in the classroom.  

Roadmap to Teaching

The "Roadmap to Teaching" page on the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) website provides a step-by-step guide to becoming a teacher in California. It outlines the requirements, credentials, and pathways for aspiring educators, from preparation programs to obtaining a teaching credential.  

Get scholarship matches based on your skills and interests. Free tools and resources for college planning. 

• Virtual presentations:
  • Applying for Scholarships
  • College Planning
• Free resources and tools:
  • College Planning Calculator
  • Financial Aid Comparison
  • Student Loan Estimator

Register for free at salliemae.com/scholarshipsearch

Teacher Candidate Funding Explorer

The Teacher Candidate Funding Explorer is a searchable database of federal and state funding opportunities to help make earning a teaching credential affordable or cost-free.