Golden State Teacher Grant (GSTG) Program

Please note that legislation updates may affect program eligibility, award sizes, and service obligation length for new GSTG recipients who submit their application on or after July 1, 2024. This page will be updated as information is available in the coming weeks.

The Golden State Teacher Grant (GSTG) Program awards up to $20,000 to students currently enrolled in a professional preparation program approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and working towards earning their preliminary teaching or pupil personnel services credential.

Students must:

• Complete their program and obtain their credential within 6 years from the date their initial GSTG payment is mailed to their institution.
• Commit to work at either a priority school or a California State Preschool Program (CSPP) for either 2 or 4 years in accordance with the terms of their specific Service Agreement.

Golden State Teacher Grant Program Coordinator’s Guide

Golden State Teacher Grant Program Disbursement Guidelines

Overview for Students
Information on the program, including eligibility, applying and the service obligation for students can be found on the Overview for Students webpage.

Eligibility

Prior to the 2024-25 academic year, to be eligible for the GSTG, a student must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be currently enrolled in a professional preparation program approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) that either:
  • Has a main campus location or administrative entity in California, including programs operated by California (CA) Local Education Agencies.
    • Visit CTC’s website for a current list of programs meeting this criteria. Remember, only those located on the map in CA may be eligible.
  • Is a private postsecondary institution offering the program to CA residents exclusively online.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP)
• Be working toward a preliminary teaching or pupil personnel services credential.
  • Applicants pursuing a teaching credential who are already in process of clearing a teaching credential, already hold a clear teaching credential, or are in an induction program are ineligible for the GSTG. 
• Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA® Application | Federal Student Aid) or CA Dream Act Application (CA Dream Act Application).
• Complete their program and obtain their credential within 6 years from the date their initial GSTG payment is mailed to their institution.
• Commit to work at an eligible priority school or a CSPP for 4 years within 8 years of completing their program.

Service Obligation

There is a service requirement tied to receiving GSTG funds. The commitment is documented in the Service Agreement (SA) and no funds are awarded until the SA is accepted by the participant. 

Prior to the 2024-25 academic year, all GSTG recipients commit to work at an eligible priority school or California State Preschool Program (CSPP) for 4 years within 8 years of the date they complete their professional preparation program. Any time working prior to completing their program and obtaining their credential is not counted towards the 4-year service requirement.

A CSPP is a state-funded or federally funded preschool program in California, including tribal and Head Start programs. A new CSPP list is published every school year that includes all eligible, active programs.

Priority schools are CA public schools that provide instruction in any grade K-12 with more than 55% of pupils classified as English Learners, eligible for free or reduced-price meals, or current foster youth. Priority schools are not the same as schools funded by Title I. The priority school list is compiled by April 15 annually using data submitted via CALPADS to the California Department of Education (CDE) by each public California school. Nonpublic schools are not eligible as priority schools as they do not report data to CDE.

When determining an eligible school for employment, GSTG recipients may refer to either the list published for the school year they received initial GSTG funds or the school year they are seeking new employment for after completing their program.

The GSTG Priority Schools Lists and CSPP Lists are available on the Overview for Students webpage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please note that these FAQs will be updated as more information about the legislative changes is available in the coming weeks.

GSTG Frequently Asked Questions

Next Steps

Please note that due to pending legislative changes to the GSTG Program, all application review and awarding for the 2024-25 academic year is on hold. Institutions may not be able to certify award eligibility for the 2024-25 academic year for several months until our system is enhanced to support the changes. The Commission understands that financial aid is a significant factor in students’ higher education plans. All 2024-25 applicants should expect future email communications from us regarding the status of their 2024-25 application or pending renewal award.

Once a student has submitted a GSTG application, they will receive a confirmation email. The student’s institution will verify their eligibility and determine their award amount.

After the institution verifies the student’s eligibility, the student will be asked to sign their Service Agreement (SA). The SA outlines the program requirements, service commitment, and repayment obligation of the grant. 

After the SA has been signed, the student’s institution will be able to request payment(s). Unless otherwise requested by the institution, the grant will be evenly disbursed among all terms the student is enrolled in during the academic year. It takes approximately 6-8 weeks from the date the payment request is submitted for the check to arrive at the institution.

For more information, please contact: 

California Student Aid Commission
Golden State Teacher Grant Program
goldenstateteachers@csac.ca.gov