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Information about the Hardin County Schools Grow Your Own Programs including applications, rubrics/selection criterion, and timelines.
Hardin County Schools offers tuition assistance for various groups to obtain teaching certification or principal certification. Applications and timelines for each program are different and outlined below.
Grow Your Own through HCS is currently offering tuition assistance for the following teaching certificates: Preschool/Early Childhood, Middle School Science, Middle School Math, High School Science, High School Math, High School Foreign Language, Special Education/LBD, Special Education/MSD, Special Education/VI/HI, School Psychology, Speech Language Pathologist.
For questions about any of the Grow Your Own programs offered, please contact Tiffany Jones, Director of Federal Programs and Leadership Development at 270-769-7938.
Classified to Certified
High School Graduate Tuition Assistance
HCS Leadership Academy
General Information on Grow Your Own
General Information on Grow Your Own
In partnership with Western Kentucky University, Hardin County Schools and other school districts in Kentucky have started Grow Your Own programs to identify high school seniors and classified employees who are interested in teaching careers. The Grow Your Own program helps address the statewide teacher shortage by providing financial assistance to HCS graduates and HCS employees who want to become certified teachers.
Currently, our Grow Your Own program is providing financial assistance to over 90 teaching candidates. Over 20 participants have graduated and are currently teaching in classrooms across our district.
High School Graduate Tuition Assistance
High School Graduate Tuition Assistance
Students who graduate from Hardin County Schools and are interested in pursuing a teaching certificate are eligible to apply for tuition assistance.
Applications are available in January each year for graduates planning to enroll in teacher certification programs in the fall
Western Kentucky University pays 1/3 of tuition costs. Hardin County Schools pays another 1/3, and the student pays the remaining 1/3 per class. Students enrolling at other universities in Kentucky can expect tuition assistance at a rate of $350 per education course. The tuition assistance program does not assist with tuition for general education coursework at other universities. Tuition assistance is only applied after ALL other scholarships are applied to the student's account.
Students interested in pursuing teaching certification for middle/high school math or science are eligible to receive 100% of their tuition costs paid through WKU and Hardin County Schools. Students enrolling at other universities in Kentucky can expect tuition assistance at a rate of $525 per education course.
Accepted students will be notified by April 30 and must submit proof of enrollment in an accredited teacher education program by July 31. An official contract will be signed in May and will become active once proof of enrollment is received.
Classified to Certified
Classified to Certified
Through a partnership with Western Kentucky University, classified staff interested in becoming a certified teacher can earn a bachelor's degree or Master's degree. Courses are offered so that staff can remain employed while working on their degree. Western Kentucky University provides a discounted rate of $1050 per education class and pays $350 per education class. Hardin County Schools pays another $350, and the student pays the remaining $350 per class.
Applications open each fall (October 1-November 14)
Accepted applicants must begin classes at WKU in the following spring, summer or fall semester (no later than August of the next calendar year).
Applicants must remain employed full-time while utilizing the Grow Your Own program.
Accepted students will be notified by December 1.
HCS Aspiring Leader Program
HCS Aspiring Leader Program
Through a partnership with Western Kentucky University, the Leadership Academy is an opportunity for teachers seeking leadership roles within the district to hone their skills. Interested candidates may be interested in serving as future principals, assistant principals or directors.
The Aspiring Leadersh Program will be offered every 2-3 years. The HCS Aspiring Leader Program will be offered for the 2025-26 school year.
Candidates must have at least FIVE (5) years of teaching experience to apply.
Selected participants will be part of a cohort that will meet on a regular basis for up to TWO (2) years. For participants who need principal certification, discounted tuition is available through Western Kentucky University. Additionally, Hardin County Schools will pay 25% of tuition costs for members attending WKU during the cohort.
Participation in the HCS Leadership Academy does not guarantee future employment in an administrative role.
As part of the grant agreement, participants must remain employed with Hardin County Schools for three years after program completion.
APPLICATION (Available April 2025)
SELECTION CRITERIA
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much tuition assistance can I expect if accepted into the Grow Your Own Program?
A: Assistance varies based on multiple factors. Students enrolled at Western Kentucky University in the graduate program can expect a discounted tuition rate for education courses ($1050). WKU will pay $350 per class, HCS will pay $350 per class, and the student will pay $350 per class. Students who pursue graduate-level math or science teaching certificates will receive $525 from WKU and $525 from HCS and will not have a student portion to pay for tuition. High School graduates who choose to attend a school other than WKU will only receive $350 per education course (or $525 per math/science education course for math/science majors). Undergraduate students at WKU will receive 2/3 of their tuition paid through the program (or 100% of tuition paid for math/science majors). Tuition is paid by WKU and Hardin County Schools only after ALL other scholarships are applied. When a student has other tuition scholarships, they may not see any tuition assistance applied for Grow Your Own.
Q: Do I have to attend Western Kentucky University in order to participate in the Grow Your Own program?
A: Yes, all classified to certified participants and principal cohort participants must attend Western Kentucky University. High School graduates are encouraged to attend WKU since the assistance rate is higher through WKU. However, high school graduate participants can select another in-state university with an accredited teacher certification program.
Q: How many years will I need to teach in Hardin County in order to fulfill my contractual agreement?
A: Three years AFTER you complete your degree and earn certification (See your contract for details)
Q: What if I never use any Grow Your Own funds because I have other grants and scholarships? Will I still need to fulfill my contract to teach in Hardin County?
A: If you do not use any HCS funds, you will not be under obligation to work for Hardin County.
Q: If I resign from HCS before fulfilling my Grow Your Own contract, what will happen?
A: Staff members who resign before fulfilling their contractual obligations will be asked to reimburse the district for all tuition payments made. You will receive a letter via certified mail requesting repayment and the total amount due. Payment plans can be set up to assist with repayment.
Q: If selected for the Grow Your Own program, when do I need to begin coursework?
A: Grow Your Own participants are expected to start classes within one year of being accepted for the program. For example, if accepted in December 2025 for the Classified to Certified program, the participant would need to start no later than the Fall 2026 semester.
Q: Does acceptance into the Grow Your Own program guarantee admission to Western Kentucky University?
A: No, Grow Your Own participants must complete the admissions process and be accepted into the university on their own.
Q: Can you participate in Grow Your Own as a substitute teacher?
A: Yes, substitute teachers are eligible to apply for Grow Your Own. However, you must sub 90% of the school year to remain eligible for tuition payments.
Q: If I am working on my MAT as an Option 6 teacher, am I eligible for Grow Your Own assistance?
A: Yes, Option 6 teachers are eligible for the Grow Your Own grant and can apply using the Classified to Certified application in the fall.
Q: What is satisfactory academic progress? What happens to my grant if I am not making academic progress?
A: GYO candidates are required to submit grade reports each semester. Satisfactory academic progress is a 3.0 or higher. If your GPA for a semester falls below 3.0 you may lose your GYO grant and be asked to repay the district for any tuition payments made on your behalf. If your GPA for a semester falls below 2.0 you WILL be asked to make repayment and lose your GYO grant.
Q: Does the Grow Your Own program provide funding for certified teachers seeking a Master's degree or Rank change?
A: At this time, Hardin County Schools does not offer tuition assistance for certified teachers seeking additional degrees. The HCS Leadership Academy program does provide discounted tuition through WKU for those seeking principal certification and the opportunity to earn some EDAD credits through participation in an apprenticeship at the district level.
Q: I graduated from a Hardin County school two years ago. Am I eligible for the High School Student Tuition Assistance program?
A: Yes, current graduates and graduates from up to two years ago are eligible to apply for the High School tuition assistance program.
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