California is paying $10,000 stipends to student teachers during their classroom training. School districts and universities apply together on the candidate’s behalf. Applications opened July 1, 2026 and are first come, first served.
About the California Student Teacher Stipend Program
The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing runs the program. Proposition 98 funds it. The state created it to ease the teacher shortage by paying candidates during student teaching, which has typically been unpaid.
Candidates do not apply themselves. The university enters each student teacher’s details in an online system. The local education agency, meaning a district, charter school, or county office of education, then completes the application. The agency pays the candidate directly.
The first funding year runs from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. Candidates are eligible once clinical practice begins on or after July 1, 2026.
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Funding Size
- Total funding: up to $100 million per fiscal year
- Award amount: $10,000 per student teacher
- Number of awards: about 10,000 statewide each year
- Duration: paid during student teaching, with no repayment or service commitment
- Allowable uses: living costs during unpaid classroom practice
Who Can Apply
- Local education agencies that host student teachers through a partner university
- Candidates in preliminary multiple subject, single subject, education specialist, or PK-3 early childhood programs
- Candidates with a valid Certificate of Clearance or substitute teaching credential
- Not eligible: interns, full-time teachers of record, and residents funded by Commission residency grants
- Not eligible: school counselor candidates, career technical education candidates, and teachers adding a credential
Geographic Eligibility
- California
- Any district, charter school, or county office of education in the state
Sector or Thematic Focus
- Teacher preparation
- Student teaching and clinical practice
- Addressing California’s teacher shortage
Application Process
The university and the agency submit the application together through the Commission’s online system. Awards go to agencies first come, first served. Candidates should ask their program and placement district about participation. After both partners finish, the Commission issues a grant award agreement. Funds can take 50 days or more to arrive after signing.
Required Materials
- Student teacher names and details entered by the university
- Approved agreement between the university and the agency
- Proof of a Certificate of Clearance or substitute credential
- Signed grant award agreement
Key Dates
- Applications opened: July 1, 2026
- Funding year ends: June 30, 2027
- Payment: up to 50 days after the agreement is signed
- No fixed deadline is published
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Selection Notes
- Requests are based on actual named student teachers, not projections
- Funding is first come, first served until it runs out
- Both partners must report on the grant
- The stipend can combine with the Golden State Teacher Grant