Scholarships for Paraprofessionals: Requirements and Opportunities
Paraprofessionals play a vital role in the education system, offering crucial support to teachers and students in the classroom. Recognizing their contributions and addressing teacher shortages, various scholarships and grant programs have been established to help paraprofessionals advance their education and become certified teachers. These programs aim to reduce the financial burden on aspiring educators, encouraging them to pursue their dreams of leading their own classrooms.
WGU Scholarships for Aspiring Teachers
Western Governors University (WGU) offers various scholarship opportunities to students seeking to further their education. To be considered for WGU scholarships, you must be provisionally accepted as a WGU student. To access the scholarship application, you will need your MyWGU student portal credentials, which will be sent to you after completing the initial application steps. Scholarship opportunities are made possible in part by the generous support of many companies, foundations, partner organizations, and individuals, including WGU alumni, faculty, and staff. At WGU, students complete courses as soon as they can prove mastery of the material, potentially leading to faster graduation. Since tuition is charged per term rather than per credit or course, graduating faster can save both time and money.
Washington State Conditional Scholarships
Washington State offers several conditional scholarship programs designed to support individuals pursuing careers in education, particularly in shortage areas. These scholarships often require recipients to fulfill a teaching service obligation in exchange for financial assistance. Failure to meet this obligation may result in the repayment of the award, including interest and other fees. NOTE: Applicants may only apply for one conditional scholarship at a time.
Educator Retooling Conditional Scholarship
The Educator Retooling Conditional Scholarship supports Washington State certified educators looking to add a shortage area endorsement to their certificate. Participants are awarded up to $3,000 per endorsement add-on. Participants must fulfill their service obligation to avoid paying back the award. To participate in state financial aid, individuals must attend an educator preparation program approved by the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC).
Pipeline for Paraeducators Conditional Scholarship
The Pipeline for Paraeducators Conditional Scholarship is designed to support paraeducators and Recruiting Washington Teachers alumni who wish to become teachers by providing financial aid for the completion of an Associate of Arts degree. Participants are eligible to receive a Pipeline for Paraeducators Conditional Scholarship for up to four academic years. Scholarship award amounts may vary depending upon financial need and funds available. The Pipeline for Paraeducators award amount is up to $4,000 per academic year. Participants are expected to continue to earn their certification and fulfill a teaching service obligation in exchange for receiving the scholarship. If selected, participants will need to complete and submit a signed Promissory Note and be enrolled in the institution selected.
Read also: Camp Scholarships Guide
Teacher Shortage Conditional Scholarship
The Teacher Shortage Conditional Scholarship is designed to encourage individuals to become teachers and to retain them in shortage areas. The program provides funding of up to $8,000 per year for up to four years toward earning a Washington Residency Teacher Certificate. To be eligible, applicants must be accepted into and maintain enrollment in a Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB)-approved teacher preparation program leading to an initial teacher certificate. The most recent application cycle was for the 2025-26 academic year.
Alternative Routes Conditional Scholarship
The Alternative Routes Conditional Scholarship program aims to encourage people to become teachers through alternative route teacher certification programs and to retain these teachers in shortage areas. The program provides funding of up to $8,000 per year for up to two years, toward earning a Washington Residency Teacher Certificate. Alternative route programs are partnerships between Washington professional educator standards board-approved preparation programs, Washington school districts, and other partners as appropriate. Participants are selected by alternative route providers that have been awarded block grants through the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB). There is not a WSAC application process. Recipients of this cycle will receive their awards starting winter term of the 2025-26 academic year.
Student Teaching Grant
The Student Teaching Grant is intended to provide additional funds to student teachers at Title I public common schools in Washington. The most recent application cycle was for the 2025-26 academic year. Recipients of the cycle will receive their awards starting winter term of the 2025-26 academic year.
North Dakota's Paraprofessional-to-Teacher Pathway
The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction utilized Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds to assist paraprofessional educators and substitute teachers already working in North Dakota schools in obtaining their teaching licenses. Recognizing their familiarity with the North Dakota K-12 public education system, paraprofessionals are seen as a valuable resource to address the teacher shortage in the state. Through their work in schools, reporting directly to teachers and administrators, they have established professional relationships and demonstrated their ability to support student success. The program provides scholarships for paraprofessionals to obtain their teaching degree. Since the fall of 2020, more than 220 education professionals have completed the ESSER-funded Paraprofessional-to-Teacher Pathway. To qualify, individuals must already be working as paraprofessionals and substitute teachers in North Dakota school districts.
Massachusetts' Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant Program
The Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant Program provides financial assistance to Massachusetts residents who are currently employed as paraprofessionals in Massachusetts public schools and wish to become certified as full-time teachers. This grant aims to reduce their financial burden and help address the Commonwealth's current teacher shortage. Financial need is not a requirement for the Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant. To be eligible, applicants must:
Read also: Benefits of NSHSS Scholarships
- Be a citizen or non-citizen eligible under Title IV regulations.
- Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Not be in default of any student loans.
- Have not yet earned a bachelor's degree or equivalent.
- Enroll in an undergraduate degree program at a Massachusetts college or university.
- Be employed for a minimum of two years as a paraprofessional in a Massachusetts public school (if employed less than two years as a paraprofessional, a student may qualify for the grant only if the undergraduate course of study will lead to teacher certification in high-need disciplines).
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress in accordance with institutional standards.
- Sign a Terms and Conditions Statement requiring the student to serve as a full-time teacher in a Massachusetts public school.
Florida's Para to Teacher Tuition Support Program
The Para to Teacher Tuition Support Program, a "Grow Your Own" initiative, provides financial assistance for paraprofessionals currently working in Florida’s public schools to earn a degree in special education, deaf education, or visual disabilities. The program offers tuition, textbook, and Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) support through annual funding from the Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services. The program supports initial certification at an eligible state of Florida college or university of choice.
Federal Financial Aid
In addition to scholarships and grants, students may choose to pay for the remaining portion of their degree through federal financial aid, subject to eligibility. Pell Grants, which do not have to be repaid, are granted based on financial need. Federal Direct Student Loans are available to most students.
Read also: Scholarship Guide
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