Application into the Program

The number of students selected for support will depend upon the number of qualified applicants for any given semester. Applicants must be current employees of a partner district, and have an interest in becoming a fully licensed special educator.

The first priority applicants each semester remain Tier 1 or 2 special education teachers. The second priority applicants remain paraprofessionals, current Tier 3 or 4 or other non-licensed employees. We would consider a Tier 1 or 2 teacher that is not currently in a special education position in this second group. Though this person has a license, it is not a Tier 3 license nor is it in special education.

Applicants must have the signature of their Director of Special Education and/or other applicable leader (Superintendent or Principal) attached to the application. Participants in the program must be enrolled at a partner Teacher Preparation Provider (TPP) approved program licensure coursework leading to initial special education licensure.

The amount of the award may vary each semester based on candidate’s request, licensure need area, priority funding applicant pool, and funding available. This grant program will prioritize funding for Tier I and II special educators in each application cycle.

If the candidate is receiving financial grants and/or scholarships from other sources, the SW Minnesota Special Education Teacher Pipeline grant program may provide a lower amount than requested as this grant funding is provided after all other funding sources have been expended. Semester by Semester grant award may vary and can change for any reason dictated by Special Education Teacher Pathway grant staff.

Award letters will be provided to candidates that apply for funding each semester. To receive consideration for initial funding, candidates must complete and submit an application by the following dates to be considered for acceptance into the program and initial semester funding.

October 15
February 15
June 15

For subsequent requests, candidates will work with the Program Success Coach to be considered for additional funding if they provide proof of enrollment/transcript, FAFSA completed, course plan approval, meet with grant staff, are making adequate progress towards special education teacher licensure, and other requirements determined by grant staff and funds in the grant are available.

As a beneficiary of this tuition, fees, and books support, a student is obligated to have intentions to be a special education teacher in southwest Minnesota.