Classified School Employee Teacher Credential Grant Program (Santa Clara County Office of Education)

Classified School Employee Teacher Credential Grant Program (Santa Clara County Office of Education) is sponsored by Santa Clara County Office of Education (awarded by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing). This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

Classified School Employee Teacher Credential Grant Program (Classified Grant) | Santa Clara County Office of Education Classified School Employee Teacher Credential Grant Program (Classified Grant) Educator Career Workforce Pathways (ECWP) Education Specialist Preliminary Teaching Credential - MMSN Education Specialist Preliminary Teaching Credential - ESN Education Specialist Preliminary Teaching Credential – ECSE Education Specialist Accelerated Program - MMSN Education Specialist Accelerated Program - ESN Education Specialist Accelerated Program - ECSE Education Specialist Bridge Authorization Program Multiple Subject Preliminary Teaching Credential Teacher Induction Program Subject Matter Competency Information Administrator Credentialing Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC) Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC) - Asynchronous Pathway California Administrator Performance Assessment (CalAPA) Clear Administrative Services Credential (CASC) Educator Career Workforce Pathways (ECWP) Teacher Residency Program School Counselor Residency Program Classified School Employee Teacher Credential Grant Program (Classified Grant) Currently selected Mental & Behavioral Health and Apprenticeships​ College and Career Pathways​ Statewide Residency Technical Assistance Center (SRTAC) CYBHI School-Linked Partnership & Capacity Grants Be the Change: Donate Now Classified School Employee Teacher Credential Grant Program (Classified Grant) ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ ​Annual ​Scholarships​​ to Support Your Pathway from School Employee to​ Credentialed Teacher​ The program provides financial assistance to ​ current and former classified school employees completing ​bachelor degrees and/or their first teacher credential.

​Candidates must attend one of our partner institutions of higher education (IHE): SCCOE Educator Preparation Progra​ms - Teacher Credentialing Teachers College of San Joaquin/SCCOE Teacher Residency Program​ San Jose State University​ University of Massachusetts Global​ per academic year (July - June) until funds run out or the candidate obtains a Preliminary Teaching Credential.

may re-apply for scholarships at the begining of each academic year in July, through 2028 . Funds may be used on tuition, fees, books, and living expenses. 2025-2026 Academic Year Priority Application Deadline: April 20, 2026 ​​ .

P​lease ​apply by this date to ensure timely receipt of the funds.

current or prior employment as a classified school employee in​ a public school, public charter school, ​school district, or county office of education (COE) in Santa Clara County or in Alameda, Alpine, ​​Contra Costa, El Dorado, Imperial, Lake, Lassen, Mono, Napa, Nevada, Plumas, San Benito, Sierra, Tulare, or Proof of a cleared criminal background check Completion of at least 48 college-level units or an associate degree (AA) at program entry enrollment in an approved partner teacher preparation or bachelor's degree program with the intention to pursue a preliminary teaching credential Commitment to maintaining satisfactory academic and program progress ​Obtain a b​​ach​elor's degree (if applicable).

Obtain a preliminary teaching credential through one of the following pathways: PK-3, Multiple Subject, Single Subject or Special Education with or without Bilingual Authorization . Complete one​ school year of classroom instruction for each year of financial assistance received.

​​ Download Flyer​ ​​​​​​​​​​​ Descargar Volante​ ​​​​​​​​​​​ ​ Applying for the Scholarship Please review all eligibility requirements and the list of documents reguired as proof of eligibility.

​Follow the application inst​ructions available on the Once you have gathered the necessary documents, please start your application by creating an online profile on the Application Portal—if you do not already have one—and complete the online application. California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program grant scholarship is contingent upon the submission of all required document s.

Award decisions will be communicated via email. ​ Current participants in the Classified School Employee Teacher Credential Program ​are automatically invited to apply for additional funding cycles at the beginning of each academic year in July , by email. If you are already enrolled in the program (received the scholarship for at least one year), please do not use the button below to submit a new application!

​​​ ​New Candidates - Learn More & Apply​ ​​​​​​​​​​​ Frequently Asked Questions ​​ What is the Classified Scholarship Program? Classified school employees of Santa Clara and Alameda counties pursuing a teaching career with SCCOE’s partner institutions of higher education are awarded scholarships of $4,000 per year.

The funding can be used towards the cost of tuition, exams, and textbooks that are required in coursework and programs that meet state teacher preparation standards and lead to a teaching credential. Classified employees who are awarded the funding commit to teaching one year in a public school, in their county, for every year of financial assistance received. Why does the Classified Scholarship Program exist?

The State created this program to establish innovative models for teacher education response to teacher shortages and improve teacher retention. This program’s high retention rates are due in part to the fact that participants have experience working in public schools, school districts, and county offices of education.

Therefore, program graduates have a demonstrated commitment to students and do not experience the culture shock that might be experienced by individuals with little or no classroom experience. Who is Eligible for the Classified Scholarship Program? Employed or previously employed by a public school district and working as a classified employee (e.g., paraprofessional​, instructional aide, school office manager).

Completion of 48 semester or 60 quarter units, or an associates degree transferable a bachelor’s degree at a post secondary, regionally accredited educational institution. Agrees to become a TK (PK-3), Multiple Subjects, Single Subject Math, Single Subject Science, or Special Education teacher, and/or a bilingual authorization. Enrolled in a partnering University/Credential Program.

Obtained a Certificate of Clearance from the Commission on Teaching Credentialing (CTC). ​ What do I receive as a Classified Grant Program Participant? $4,000 per year.

Participants will be invited to reapply each year (July) and must upload a current grade report and updated completion plan that shows candidates are making progress towards completing their degree program and/or teacher credentialing goals. Academic and non-academic support is available.

Including academic advice at EPP and at participating universities that give participants the information and professional development necessary to make the leap from classified service to certificated service. What happens if I (1) Fail a course, (2) Withdraw from a course or, (3) Receive an incomplete? You must show proof that you are making adequate progress towards completing your degree program and/or teacher credentialing program.

What happens if I resign my Classified employment to start an intern position or student teaching? Documentation from the school district employing you and the institution of higher education you are attending is required when reapplying each year. ​ What happens if I drop-out of my degree and/or credentialing program?

SCCOE, EPP is required to report the names of all those who drop from the program to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing annually. If you have dropped out of your degree and/or credentialing program to enroll in a participating credentialing program and/university, please contact our office as soon as possible. What happens if I decide that I can no longer continue in this program?

SCCOE, EPP is required to report the names of all those who drop from the program to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing annually. What happens once I receive my preliminary credential? Once you receive your preliminary credential, you must notify SCCOE, EPP.

When confirmed, the program will send you an official graduation letter with further instructions for completing required years of service. To fulfill your commitment to the program, you must teach on a preliminary and/or clear credential one year in a Santa Clara County public school district for every school year of financial assistance received.

The Classified School Employee Teacher Credential Grant​ addresses the state’s teacher shortage in STEM, special education, bilingual education, and transitional kindergarten, by supporting local education agencies (LEAs) to recruit classified school employees into teaching careers and support their undergraduate education, professional teacher preparation, and certification as credentialed California teachers.

In July 2021, the state appropriated $125 million to expand the California Classified School Employees Teacher Credentialing Program for another five years.

Classified program participants receive financial assistance for degree and c​redentialing-related expenses such as tuition, fees, books, and examination costs; academic guidance; and other forms of individualized support to help them complete their undergraduate education, teacher preparation program, and transition to becoming credentialed teachers. ​For more information or questions, please contact us at epp@​sccoe.

org​ and include " Classified Grant" in the s​ubject line. You may also complete an ​ Inquiry Form and we will be in touch with you. ​​ Complete Inquiry Form​​​ ​​​​​​​​​​ ​ ​ ​