PENNSYLVANIA, USA — Starting Thursday, student teachers in Pennsylvania can apply for a stipend.
According to a release from Gov. Josh Shapiro's office, it's worth $10,000. If the applicant gets a job at a school critically short on teachers, that number goes up to $15,000.
State leaders hope a new program will entice more people to become educators.
"This stipend will help remove an unnecessary barrier to ensure the best and brightest can go into education if they so choose. This is a moment to celebrate progress in this building, progress for our teachers, and progress for our students across Pennsylvania," said State Senator Ryan Aument of Lancaster County.
Across the country, schools are facing growing teacher shortages. Compared to ten years ago, when Pennsylvania certified approximately 20,000 new teachers every year, in 2023, Pennsylvania certified just over 5,000 new teachers. The Commonwealth also has 5,500 teacher vacancies in schools across the state right now, the governor's office said.
The program has a budget of $10 million, and once that money is used up, no other student teachers can apply. Applications open at 9 a.m. Thursday.
You can apply through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency's website.