Frequently Asked Questions

Answer: The primary project goal of the Region 1&2 Special Education Teacher Pipeline Grant Program is to address the special education teacher shortage by providing financial and programmatic support to those interested in becoming a licensed Tier III or IV special educator.

Answer: This grant would support any eligible employee to pursue any special education initial teaching license in the areas below:

• Academic and Behavioral Specialist

• Emotional Behavior Disorders

• Learning Disabilities

• Autism Spectrum Disorders

• Early Childhood Special Education

• Developmental Disabilities

• Oral/Aural Deaf Education

• Deaf or Hard of Hearing

• Physical and Health Disabilities 

• Blind or Visually Impaired

• Developmental Adaptive Physical Education

• Teacher Coordinator of Work-Based Learning

Answer: Region 1&2 Special Education Teacher Pipeline Grant Program was awarded $2.1 million to support financial and programmatic support to qualified candidates. The funding runs out when all grant dollars are expended or on June 30, 2029, whichever is sooner.

Answer: The minimum requirements must be met for candidates to apply to this program are listed below. However, the application to apply for funding will include additional questions and paperwork (i.e. verification of employment, educational experience, letter of commitment from district/special education director, etc.).

To submit an application, the applicant must:

• Be currently employed with a Joint Applicant (district partner).

• Demonstrate a willingness to be a special education teacher after completing the program for 5 years in a participating district.

Answer: Yes!  The expectation is that the candidate will work for a participating district in Regions 1 and 2 as a special education teacher for at least 5 years. 

Answer: Applications are due the following dates:

Fall Semester: June 15th

Spring Semester: October 15th 

Summer: February 15th

Award letters will be sent out within a month of these dates.

Answer: Candidates will receive tuition assistance, which will be paid directly to one of our teacher preparation program partners. Additionally, they can request reimbursement for the cost of books and materials listed in the course syllabus. Programmatic support will be available, including access to a Program Success Coach who will guide candidates through the grant application process. Candidates will also have the option to check out any necessary technology equipment. Reimbursement for hotel, meals, and gas may be reimbursed when a course syllabus requires onsite programming. All reservations for hotels need to be in the candidates name to be reimbursed.

Items such as pens, notebooks, and other supplies will not be reimbursed. 

Answer: Candidates are not eligible for reimbursement for any funds already paid to the Teacher Preparation Program (TPP). This includes any financial aid submissions and payments.

To receive tuition assistance, candidates must first apply to the program and be accepted. Once accepted, tuition assistance will be allocated directly to the partner TPP. To continue receiving funding, candidates are required to meet with the Program Success Coach each quarter to demonstrate progress toward earning their degree and special education teaching license.

Answer: If accepted into the program, you may receive full financial support through a grant awarded to Region 1&2 schools. This support covers tuition, fees, books, and other eligible expenses required to become a licensed special education teacher through one of our partnered Teacher Preparation Programs.

Currently, grant recipients are eligible to receive up to full tuition support for courses necessary to complete a special education license, depending on the specific license area and teacher preparation program. Reimbursement may also be available for expenses such as books, materials, and application fees.

Recipients can receive scholarship funds for up to five years, with these funds being paid directly to the partner Teacher Preparation Program. In many cases, participants may have most or all of their tuition and fees covered by the grant, provided that funding remains available.

Answer: The Special Education Teacher Pipeline grant will only pay for undergraduate or graduate courses that apply towards earning a special education teacher license in Minnesota. Grant funds will not pay for research or other non-licensure courses.

Answer: The Region 1&2 Special Education Teacher Pipeline grant program has partnered with the following Teacher Preparation Programs (TPPs): Bemidji State University, Bethel University, Minnesota State University – Mankato, St. Cloud State University, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Hamline University, Learning Disabilities Association of Minnesota, Southwest Minnesota State University, and University of St. Thomas. We are only able to provide direct tuition assistance to these partner institutions.

If you would like us to consider adding another Teacher Preparation Program partner, please contact us at pipelinegrant@isd31.net.

Answer: No, our goal is to include as many candidates as possible to access this funding in order to build a strong special education teacher pipeline in our region, ultimately increasing the number of licensed Tier III or IV special educators. We are able to fund participants who meet the eligibility criteria, up to the limits established by the grant.

In exceptional cases, such as a candidate changing their major or licensure area, or when there is a high demand for a specific license, we may consider funding more than one licensure area simultaneously. However, once a participant has obtained a Tier III or IV license, further funding will no longer be available.

Answer: As we move forward, the webpage will provide the most up-to-date information about the special education teacher pipeline grant programs. This will include program updates for all Teacher Preparation Programs partners.

Answer: To participate in this program, you must meet several requirements, including being employed with a district partner. If you meet the eligibility criteria and are accepted into the program, you will have the opportunity to choose a special education licensure program offered by one of our approved Teacher Preparation Program (TPP) partners. Many of these partners offer online options to help you complete the licensure requirements.

Answer: To receive and continue receiving tuition assistance and other program funding, participants must remain employed with a participating district for five years. Please note that after obtaining your special education license, all hiring decisions will be made by the individual district employers.

Answer: Eligible participants in the program are divided into two priority groups:

1. The first priority group includes Tier 1 or Tier 2 special education teachers.

2. The second priority group includes paraprofessionals, other non-licensed employees, and Tier 3 or Tier 4 general education teachers who wish to add a special education license.

Individuals who already hold a Tier 3 or Tier 4 special education license will be directed to the Regions 1 and 2 Tuition Reimbursement Program.

Answer: No, unfortunately funding is not available for these roles.

Answer: Our goal is to support individuals who aspire to become special education teachers in our region. This grant is specifically designed to provide direct tuition funding to help remove any barriers to obtaining a teaching license. We are excited to welcome passionate individuals to join our community of special education teachers, and we are here to support you every step of the way!

Answer: Yes, as long as we have a partnership with the Teacher Preparation Program (TPP), you are welcome to join any qualifying programs if accepted. I encourage you to contact the college of your choice to inquire about transfer options. The TPP partner can help you evaluate your transcript and provide details on the required courses and the timeline for completing your degree and licensure. Please note that scholarship funds are available for a maximum of four years.

Answer: At this time, the grant will not cover these expenses.  Please work with your building administrator and/or Director of Special Education to discuss options.  

There is a potential for support outside of this grant. See  Minnesota Student Teaching Grant.

Answer: It depends. If a candidate has previously held a teaching license in Minnesota, we would need their file folder number to verify the type of license.

If the candidate previously held a standard Minnesota teaching license that could be renewed as a Tier III or IV license, they would not qualify for this grant funding. Instead, they would be directed to the Regions 1 and 2 Reimbursement Program, as the SPED Pipeline grant is intended for candidates seeking their initial teaching license in a special education field.

We recommend that candidates who have held a previous teaching license in Minnesota contact the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) to review their license status. PELSB can provide guidance on how to renew a lapsed license. You can reach them directly at pelsb@state.mn.us.

Answer: If you would like your school district to be considered, please contact your Director of Special Education to determine future eligibility.  

Answer: Please email pipelinegrant@isd31.net for consideration of that teacher preparation program to be added as a partner. 

Answer: Candidates are required to submit an official application only once. Scholarships are awarded on a semester-by-semester basis, and recipients must demonstrate satisfactory progress in the previous semester to continue receiving funding.

For semesters beyond the initial award, recipients must submit their unofficial transcript showing their grades from the previous semester, along with a copy of their tuition invoice for the upcoming semester. These documents must be submitted at least three weeks before the start of classes to ensure timely processing.

Answer: A course of study is a detailed plan outlining the courses and credits needed to meet all licensure requirements. This plan is developed in collaboration with your Teacher Preparation Program and should include all required courses, as well as the proposed semesters for completing them.

All scholarship recipients must submit a course of study that enables them to graduate and be eligible for licensure by the end of the grant period in June 2029. Please submit your plan to the Program Success Coach.

Answer: Staff that receive a scholarship through this opportunity will be required to participate in check-ins each semester with the Program Success Coach each year. Candidates who do not fulfill this requirement may be at risk of losing the support of the grant.

Answer: Yes, by accepting these scholarship funds, you are committing to work within the Region 1 & 2 participating districts for a period equal to the duration of your scholarship support, plus an additional five years after obtaining your special education license.

Answer: If you encounter any extenuating circumstances that may affect your progress in coursework or your participation in the program, it is essential to communicate with the Program Success Coach in advance. In such cases, you will be required to create an Academic Agreement with your university. This agreement must be shared with both the Program Success Coach and your employer.

Please note that if you fail to meet the requirements outlined in the Academic Agreement, you may be asked to leave the Special Education Teacher Pipeline grant program. Additionally, at the end of each semester, you must provide proof of good academic standing from your college or university to the Program Success Coach.

Answer: Scholarship funds may only be used for tuition, fees, books, and other approved expenses directly related to coursework required for obtaining a special education license.

Answer: All courses must be evaluated by your chosen special education teacher licensure program, offered by one of our approved Teacher Preparation Program (TPP) partners. This program provides direct tuition funding to the approved TPP on behalf of participants in our program. For any questions, please email pipelinegrant@isd31.net.