Deadline passed
Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant Program
Direct application
Up to $13,500
About this scholarship
Massachusetts residents employed as paraprofessionals in Massachusetts public schools for at least two years who wish to become certified teachers may apply. Those employed less than two years may qualify if pursuing certification in high-need disciplines such as math, science, special education, foreign languages, or bilingual education.
Grants of up to $13,500 per academic year are available at private or UMass institutions, with lower amounts at state universities and community colleges.
File FAFSA and a MASSAid application. Recipients commit to teaching in a Massachusetts public school after certification.
This program helps address the Commonwealth's teacher shortage by reducing financial barriers for paraprofessionals.
Essay questions
What else to submit
- FAFSA
- MASSAid Student Portal application
- Terms and Conditions Statement
- Complete and submit the FAFSA at studentaid.gov
- Create a MASSAid Student Portal account and complete the Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant application in the portal
- Physically reside in Massachusetts for at least one year as of the start of the enrolled term
- Meet U.S. citizenship/eligible-noncitizen residency status requirements
- No prior bachelor's degree
- Enroll in an undergraduate teacher certification program at an eligible Massachusetts institution
- Be employed for a minimum of two years as a paraprofessional in a Massachusetts public school
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress; no default on federal/state student loans
- Sign a Terms and Conditions Statement committing to serve as a full-time teacher in a Massachusetts public school (2-4 years)
- Recipients commit to serve as a full-time teacher in a Massachusetts public school for 2–4 years after certification.