Student Teacher Grants Frequently Asked Questions

 

Eligibility and Application Questions

1Q: When do I apply for the Student Teacher Grants?

1A: You must apply for the Student Teacher Grants during the academic year in which you are completing the 12-week or more student experience.

2Q: Should I still apply after the priority deadline has passed?

2A: Applications will still be accepted after the deadline but eligible students may be placed on a waitlist depending on the availability of funds.

3Q: I am student teaching this academic year but do not know my student teaching placement yet, can I still apply?

3A: You can enter “TBD” if you do not know the student teaching placement during the time you are filling out the application. If selected to receive an award, the Financial Aid Office at your institution will be required to confirm your student teaching placement before the award can be received.

4Q: Can the student teaching placement be located outside of MN?

4A: Student teaching placement can be in another state or in a private or non-profit childcare/early childhood center as long as it is approved by your institution.

5Q: I am pursuing an additional licensure which requires me to complete clinical/practicum hours, am I eligible to apply? 

5A: Only students who are completing a 12-week or more student teaching experience can apply. Clinical/practicum hours do not meet the eligibility requirement.

6Q: I am in a dual-licensure program so I will be completing two semesters of student teaching. Will I be able to apply twice?

6A: The Student Teacher Grants is a one-time grant for only one term so you can only receive the grant for one of your student teaching experiences.

7Q: I belong to a racial or ethnic group underrepresented in the Minnesota teacher workforce. Do I need to meet the other two requirements to be eligible to apply?

7A: If you belong to an underrepresented racial or ethnic group, you do not need to meet the other two requirements (which are intend to teach in rural school district or in a license shortage area) but you must be enrolled in an approved MN Teacher Preparation program and meet the other listed eligibility requirements.

8Q: I am an international student/undocumented non-Minnesota resident attending an eligible MN institution, can I apply?

8A: Yes, and you must complete the MN Dream Act application which is the state financial aid application for undocumented students.

After you apply, please upload the requested tax documents through your MNAid Student Portal and send an email to MNDreamAct.OHE@state.mn.us and the Financial Aid Office at your institution to clarify that you completed the MN Dream Act for the Student Teacher Grants application.

9Q: I am a Graduate student applying for STG and will need to complete the MN Dream Act application. I will not qualify for the Dream Act due to my enrollment status so do I need to submit all documents for verification?

9A: No, Dream Act applicants who are Graduate students applying for STG will only need to submit the requested tax documents for income verification.

After you apply, please upload the requested tax documents through your MNAid Student Portal and send an email to MNDreamAct.OHE@state.mn.us and the Financial Aid Office at your institution to clarify that you completed the MN Dream Act for the Student Teacher Grants application.

10Q: What does “demonstrate financial need” mean?

10A: Financial need is based on a combination of factors including the Student Aid Index (SAI), Cost of Attendance (set by the institution), and other awarded financial aid. This information will be provided by the Financial Aid Office at your institution.

You must complete the FAFSA or MN Dream Act application in order to determine if you demonstrate any financial need. See Q: How it is the award amount determined? below for more details.

11Q: I made an error on my application, how can I get it fixed?

11A: Please contact the Financial Aid Office at your institution or the Office of Higher Education at info.ohe@state.mn.us or call (651) 642-0567 for assistance.

12Q: How do I find my application eligibility status?

12A: Go to the MN Aid Programs section on your MNAid Student Portal, and select the “Student Teacher Grants” to view current status.

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Awarding Questions

13Q: How do I know if I was selected for an award?

13A: Awarded students will receive an award notification from the Office of Higher Education. Please note that awarding will not take place until after the priority deadline for each student teaching term.

14Q: How is the award amount determined?

14A: The award amount is based on the student’s unmet financial need which is determined by subtracting the Student Aid Index (SAI) and all other gift aid from the total Cost of Attendance for the student teaching term.

Student Aid Index (SAI) is generated through the completion of the FAFSA or MN Dream Act application which is used to determine federal and state aid eligibility.

Gift aid is financial aid that does not require repayment, such as scholarships, grants, stipends, third-party payments and tuition waivers.

Cost of Attendance is set by the institution for financial aid programs and includes, but not limited to, tuition and fees, books, supplies, housing and food, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses.

15Q: If I am awarded the grant, how will I get the grant?

15A: The award fund will be sent to your institution within the first few weeks of the semester start date, or the date of when you received your award notice, whichever is later. The funds will then be disbursed into your school student account.

16Q: Can the grant be applied to other expenses other than tuition?

16A: The award fund will be disbursed into your school student account which will apply towards your balance. Usually, if there are any financial aid remaining, it will be sent to you as a credit refund. Please reach out to the Financial Aid Office at your institution for more information.

17Q: I was awarded a Student Teacher Grant (STG) award but will no longer be student teaching until the next school year. Can I transfer the STG award to the next school year?

17A: STG awards cannot be transferred to another academic year. You must reapply once the application for the next academic year becomes available.

18Q: I was awarded a Student Teacher Grant (STG) award for the Fall term but will no longer be student teaching until the Spring term. Can I transfer the STG award to the Spring?

18A: You can transfer your STG award from the Fall to the Spring term as long as it’s within the same academic year.