The PA Student Teacher Support Program will help address critical teacher shortages across Pennsylvania and ensure students have the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed.

Harrisburg, PA – After Governor Shapiro and legislators secured double the amount of funding for the new PA Student Teacher Support Program in the 2024-25 budget, more than 2,000 student teachers across Pennsylvania are set to receive $10,000 stipends – another key initiative in the Shapiro Administration’s work to tackle the Commonwealth’s teacher shortage.

Last year, Governor Shapiro signed into law Act 33 of 2023(opens in a new tab), creating the $10 million Educator Pipeline Support Grant Program, which provides stipends to eligible student teachers in Pennsylvania. In the 2024-25 budget(opens in a new tab), Governor Shapiro secured an additional $10 million for the program, doubling the funding for student teacher stipends to a total of $20 million annually — ensuring student teachers are compensated for their hard work as they complete their student teaching requirements.

Administered through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), this program will help address the teacher shortage in Pennsylvania and fill staffing gaps for critical education positions to ensure every student has the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed.

“There is a real need to invest in our student teachers. We saw how many people applied last year when these stipends became available for the first time — over 4,000 applications were submitted in just a few hours,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “That’s why, in the bipartisan budget I signed this summer, we doubled the funding available for student teacher stipends in Pennsylvania. This is a commonsense investment to ensure student teachers are fairly compensated for their work, lowering barriers to pursuing a teaching career, and helping get more dedicated, qualified educators into our classrooms.”

The 2,000 student teacher stipend recipients come from 84 postsecondary institutions across the state. PHEAA will begin disbursing the funds this week and awards were distributed on a first-come, first-served basis for each term. The program offers eligible student teachers up to $15,000 in stipends, while cooperating teachers who mentor and guide student teachers are eligible for stipends of up to $2,500. In return, student teachers commit to teaching in Pennsylvania for at least three years following the completion of their certification, ensuring a sustainable influx of qualified educators into the state’s school systems.

“The future of this Commonwealth relies on the success of the next generation,” said Senator Wayne D. Fontana, PHEAA Board Chairman. “We need teachers to educate that generation. With the realization that there are obstacles to attracting qualified teachers to the field, it became only too clear that the Student Teacher Support Program was much needed. I’m pleased with the support that the program has received and PHEAA is honored to administer the program for the Commonwealth, to ensure that those needs are being met.”

The Pennsylvania Student Teacher Support Program provides financial support to students enrolled in a PA Department of Education approved teacher preparation program and who are completing their student teaching requirements. The program was created to meet the increasing demand for educators and ease the financial burdens faced by student teachers, who often forgo income while shouldering extra costs like transportation and professional attire during their required classroom training. By offering financial support, the program makes it more feasible for aspiring educators to complete their training and pursue careers in public service.

“I am glad this funding is beginning to flow to student teachers, who for too long have had to work multiple jobs or take out additional loans to complete the mandatory 12-week student teaching experience in order to become a certified teacher,” said Senate Democratic Appropriations Chairman Senator Vincent Hughes, sponsor of the Senate version of the bill. “I am thankful for PHEAA and their hard work over the last year, and I look forward to seeing this program expanded to meet the demand.”

Since day one, Governor Shapiro has been focused on creating more freedom and opportunity for all Pennsylvanians. With historic investments being made in education across the board — from K–12 public education to higher education, career and technical education (CTE), and apprenticeship programs — the 2024-25 budget(opens in a new tab) invests in students, learners, and educators at all levels:

• $1.11 billion in total increases in K-12 public education funding – and drives those dollars out in a more equitable manner to the schools that need it most under a new formula.
• $100 million in sustainable funding for environmental repair and other facilities in schools to create safe and healthy environments for students to learn in and teachers to teach in, including $25 million for Solar for Schools.
• $100 million increase for special education funding, reinforcing Pennsylvania’s commitment to equitable education for all students.
• $100 million cyber charter reimbursement to better align tuition with the actual costs of providing an online education and save school districts millions annually.
• $100 million in mental health funding for K-12 schools, building upon one-time federal funds to ensure schools have the continued resources to provide mental health services to students
• $17.7 million increase for early childhood education
• $15.7 million increase for community colleges and $35.1 million increase for PASSHE schools
• $120 million in increased funding for scholarships and grants to make college more affordable, including $28 million for scholarships to students pursuing a degree in a high-demand field, a $54 million increase to PHEAA student grants, and $5 million for disadvantaged students’ scholarships
• $30 million increase in CTE programming and equipment and investments in apprenticeship programs 
• $20 million for student teacher stipends
• $7 million to support dual enrollment opportunities for high school students
• $2 million in first-time state funding for nursing apprenticeships

For more information regarding the PA Student Teacher Support Program and eligibility, visit pheaa.org/StudentTeacher(opens in a new tab).

For more information on how the 2024-25 budget will create opportunity for Pennsylvanians, visit shapirobudget.pa.gov(opens in a new tab).