Minnesota Student Teacher Grant

Student Teacher must:

• Be enrolled at a Minnesota institution in a PELSB-approved teacher preparation program;
• Be completing at least 12 weeks of student teaching for a Tier 3 teaching license during the current academic year (Clinical/Practicum hours do not meet the student teaching requirement);
• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as defined by the institution;
• Not be in default on a federal or state student loan;
• Demonstrate financial need; and
• Meet one or more of the following program requirements:
  1. Intend to teach in a designated rural school district in Minnesota after acquiring a teaching license.
  2. Intend to teach in an identified licensure shortage areas.
  3. Belong to a racial or ethnic group underrepresented in the Minnesota teacher workforce.

Click here to view a full list of PELSB approved teacher preparation programs at each eligible college and university.

On a funds available basis, selected undergraduate and graduate students may receive a one-time award of up to $7,500 for one term.

A complete application must be submitted to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education during the academic year in which the student is completing the required 12-week or more student teaching experience. A student may only receive the award for the term of their student teaching experience.

Complete applications must include the following:

• Student Teacher Grants application;
• Completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Minnesota Dream Act application; and
• Financial data form submitted by the Financial Aid Office at the institution the student attends.

2025-2026 Application opens on June 1, 2025 and closes on April 17, 2026 (subject to change)

Apply for the Student Teacher Grants on the MNAid Student Portal. View how to apply for the Student Teacher Grants online here. Paper application is available upon request. Email financialaid.ohe@state.mn.us.

Priority Application Deadlines for Student Teaching Terms:
Fall 2025: August 1, 2025 
Spring 2026: November 14, 2025

Applications will still be accepted after the priority deadlines, but eligible students may be placed on the waitlist. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Eligible students with complete applications on file by the priority deadline for the specified term will be considered for an award. If there are insufficient funds to provide an award to all eligible students, the applications will be prioritize based on the financial need of the applicant and then on which program the student qualifies for.

Applications submitted after the priority deadline will be reviewed based on the availability of funds. Eligible students who are not selected for an award will be placed on a waitlist. Application status can be tracked on the MNAid Student Portal.

Only licensure areas within the following fields may be identified as a license shortage area for the Student Teachers in Shortage Areas Grant. Click here to view the full list of the identified License Shortage Areas

1. English as a second language
2. Early childhood
3. Special education
4. Career and technical education
5. Science, technology, engineering, arts, and math
6. World languages

"Rural school district" means a school district with fewer than 30 resident pupil units (under section 126C.05, subdivision 6,) per square mile. Click here to view the full list of designated Minnesota Rural School Districts.