State program helps cover unpaid classroom training; applications go through preparation programs and school districts

SACRAMENTO — California is offering $10,000 stipends to eligible student teachers to offset expenses during required classroom training.

The Student Teacher Stipend Program, administered by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, began accepting applications July 1. Student teaching has traditionally been unpaid, leaving candidates to cover living expenses while completing supervised classroom assignments.

California’s 2026-27 budget allocates an additional $408 million to extend and expand the program, established in 2025 with $300 million. It raises annual funding for basic stipends from $100 million to $125 million, enough to assist up to 12,500 candidates at $10,000 apiece.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said the assistance is intended to strengthen the teaching workforce. Commission Executive Director Mary Vixie Sandy said the cost of unpaid training has kept some candidates from completing their credentials.

Eligible candidates must be enrolled in a state-approved program leading to a preliminary multiple-subject, single-subject, education specialist or PK–3 early childhood education credential. The stipend supports candidates completing at least 500 hours of student teaching; credential programs generally require 600 hours of supervised clinical practice.

Candidates must also have proof of a professional fitness review, typically a Certificate of Clearance or qualifying substitute teaching credential. Teaching interns and salaried teachers of record are ineligible, as are residents supported by Commission-funded teacher residency grants. The basic stipend carries no post-graduation teaching service commitment.

Students do not apply directly. Instead, they should ask their college or university credential program coordinator whether their classroom placement participates. Once student teaching begins, the preparation institution identifies eligible candidates through the state’s online portal. The participating school district, charter school or county office of education confirms the placement and submits the funding application.

Grants are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to available funds. Following approval, the state pays the participating education agency, which distributes the stipend. State guidance cautions that payment to the agency may take 50 days or longer after its grant agreement is signed; the timing of student payments depends on the agency.

Beginning in 2027-28, candidates pursuing credentials in designated shortage fields, including mathematics, science, technology, bilingual education and special education, may qualify for an additional $5,000, subject to funding.

Kern County education officials said Melissa Aguilera, a sixth-grade student teacher at McKee Middle School in Bakersfield, was approved for the stipend. Aguilera said she had taken time away from school after college to save for credential training and that the assistance would reduce her reliance on savings.

The commission reported approximately 20,100 newly issued teaching credentials in 2024-25, a 16% increase from the preceding year and the highest number in more than a decade. The state is also promoting the stipend through its “Teach for California” campaign.

Program information is available at ctc.ca.gov under Student Teacher Stipend Program or by emailing STSP@ctc.ca.gov.