The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), and the Department of Labor & Industry (L\&I), reminds student teachers that the deadline to apply for the 2026–27 PA Student Teacher Support Program is Tuesday, September 15. The application is available at pheaa.org/StudentTeacher.
The program provides $10,000 to eligible student teachers and up to $2,500 to cooperating teachers who mentor student teachers throughout their teaching experience.
“Anyone who is planning to be a student teacher or is currently applying for a student teacher position for 2026–27 should apply for this grant,” said Senator Wayne D. Fontana, PHEAA Board Chairman. “We need qualified teachers—and they need the education and guidance that is shared during the student teacher experience.”
PHEAA administers the PA Student Teacher Support Program for the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Budget allocates $40 million for the 2026–27 academic year. As of July 23, 2026, nearly $25 million has already been disbursed to 437 Local Education Agencies (LEAs), supporting more than 2,000 student teachers during the 2025–26 academic year.
“I truly believe teaching is the most important job in the world. It is a vital profession, and we should remove any barriers that prevent educators from entering it,” said Senator Vincent Hughes, PHEAA Board Member and vocal champion of the program. “Since we launched the program, we’ve been able to serve thousands of student teachers. The intention is to serve thousands more!”
The PA Student Teacher Support Program is designed to alleviate the financial strain caused by student teaching requirements, increase placement and completion rates at LEAs and non-public schools facing educator shortages, and strengthen Pennsylvania’s teacher workforce.
Program recipients must commit to teaching at an approved LEA or a non-public school in Pennsylvania for 3 years following the completion of their teaching certification. If this service requirement is not completed within 4 years, the recipient will be required to repay the stipend.
Applicants are required to provide the following information:
• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Professional Personnel ID (PPID)—optional
• Full Name
• Date of Birth
• Address
• Phone Number
• Email
• Institution of Higher Education
• Semester of Student Teaching (fall, spring, or both)
• Program Level (bachelor, graduate, post-baccalaureate)
• Certification Area
Student teacher placement information is not required at the time of application. Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis according to the date and time a completed application is received by PHEAA.
