How the STEP Center Financially Supports Math & Science Teacher Candidates
We know that paying for a year-long credential program is never easy. It typically costs $X,000, including tuition, books, living expenses, and various application/testing fees. More details about university-wide fees can be found here . The School of Education also lists specific costs associated with applying the credential program here.
The STEP Center is here to support you financially. Learn about different scholarships and other financial opportunities below. Please make sure to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is needed for some of the scholarships. Most scholarships are contingent upon being in good academic standing in the program and can only be provided if you have any unmet financial need. We can also work with you using the STEP Center Financial Support Worksheet to develop your personalized financial plan.
[STEP Center Financial Support Worksheet]
CSU Residency Year Scholarship
This scholarship began in the 2019-20 year with an initial generous investment of $3.1 million by the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation. This past year, the $10,000 scholarship supported 328 aspiring teachers who are motivated to make a difference in their schools and communities. It helped these candidates access a clinical teaching experience spanning an entire academic year—adding to their credential with powerful real-world experience earned under the guidance of an experienced mentor teacher. Through the Residency Year Scholarship, teacher candidates focused on building their knowledge and skills with less need for outside work and less debt, to ensure that they were ready for day one as a beginning teacher.
TEACH Grant (up to $4,000 per year)
The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who meet the eligibility criteria and agree to teach for four years at an elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families. credential candidates. For more information email the Financial Aid office at finaid@sonoma.edu or call 707-664-2389.
Williamson Family Scholarship for Future STEM Teachers ($2500- $4750)
For Sonoma State School of Science & Technology undergraduate students (includes transfer students), from historically underrepresented communities, who are committed to becoming a math or science teacher through Sonoma State’s Single Subject Credential Program.
Golden State Teacher Grant (Up to $20,000)
You must be enrolled in a credential program and commit to teaching in a priority (i.e., high needs) school for 4 of the 8 years after completing your credential. For more information contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@sonoma.edu or call 707-664-2389 or check the Financial Aid Website.
North Bay STEM Teacher Residency Program (Typically $18,500 or more)
Become more immersed at your clinical practice school site (either Santa Rosa City Schools or Petaluma City Schools) and work more closely with a community of expert mentors. You must commit to teaching for at least four years in the school district in which you are placed. We are especially invested in supporting teacher candidates who are educators of color and/or bilingual in Spanish to reflect Santa Rosa and Petaluma students and communities. Residents are paid monthly stipends by the school district throughout the credential program. These stipends do NOT count toward your unmet financial need (meaning that you can still receive scholarships on TOP of the Residency stipends).
STEP Scholarship ($4,000)
Automatic for being enrolled in the single subject credential program.
Biliteracy and Content Area Integrated Preparation (BCAIP) Scholarship ($500)
Automatic for being enrolled in the single subject credential program. As part of BCAIP, you become prepared to support emergent bilinguals in developing biliteracy and learning content.
Bilingual Added Authorization (in Spanish) Scholarships ($4,000)
We have two scholarships ($2,000 each) for being enrolled in courses to add a Bilingual Authorization: the Biliteracy and Content Area Integrated Preparation (BCAIP) Bilingual Authorization Scholarship and the STEP Bilingual Authorization Scholarship.
We encourage Single Subject Teacher Candidates to obtain a Substitute Teaching Permit for the district in which they are placed. Please note that work as a Substitute Teaching is considered not supervised (even if in your mentor’s classroom) and does not count toward clinical practice hours. Also note that candidates are not allowed to be employed as a long term substitute at any point during the credential program. You can earn between $6,000 and $7,000 for substitute teaching just one day a week during your whole credentialing year.
Below are the many ways that single subject Math or Science teacher candidates can afford tuition and living expenses during the credentialing year.