Golden State Teacher Grant (GSTG) Program
The Golden State Teacher Grant (GSTG) Program awards 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.
Eligibility
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. IMPORTANT: Intern teacher credential programs are not eligible for the GSTG. Intern pupil personnel services credential programs remain eligible for the GSTG.
- Visit CTC’s website for a current list of all accredited programs. Remember, only those located on the map in CA may be eligible for the GSTG and intern teacher credential programs are not eligible for the GSTG. Intern pupil personnel services credential programs remain eligible for the GSTG.
- Is a private postsecondary institution offering the program to CA residents exclusively online that meets the criteria outlined in CA Education Code Section 69617.5. Currently, only Western Governors University is eligible.
- Has a main campus location or administrative entity in California, including programs operated by California (CA) Local Education Agencies. IMPORTANT: Intern teacher credential programs are not eligible for the GSTG. Intern pupil personnel services credential programs remain eligible for the GSTG.
- 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 Golden State Teacher Grant Program Application.
- 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 by signing a Service Agreement.
Awards & Cohorts
GSTG applicants have varying eligibility restrictions, maximum award amounts, awarding prioritizations, funding restrictions, and service obligations according to their assigned cohort. Cohorts are assigned based on application submission date and Student Aid Index (SAI). Only Cohort 3 is open for new applicants.
Program Details by Cohort
| Cohort 1 | Cohort 2 | Cohort 3 | |
| Awarding Status | Closed. No longer awarding new applicants. | Closed. No longer awarding new applicants. | Open and accepting 2025-26 applications. |
| Description | GSTG recipients paid less than the maximum award in 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, or 2023-24 who continue to meet program eligibility criteria. | New 2024-25 applicants who submitted their GSTG application on or prior to 6/30/2024. | New applicants who submit their GSTG application after 7/1/2024 and applicants moved from Cohort 2 due to awarding prioritization and funding restrictions. |
| Additional Eligibility Restrictions | None. | None. | Intern teacher credential programs do not qualify for GSTG participation. |
| Maximum Award | $20,000 ($10,000 for online institutions participating under Section 69617.5). | $20,000 ($10,000 for online institutions participating under Section 69617.5). | $10,000 ($5,000 for online institutions participating under Section 69617.5). |
| Awarding Prioritization | None. | Prioritized weekly based on lowest to highest Student Aid Index. | Prioritized weekly based on lowest to highest Student Aid Index. |
| Funding Restrictions | None – Up to the remaining funds available to each eligible recipient may be paid. | $50 million awarding cap. | Award up to the remaining available program funds. |
| Service Obligation | Complete 4 years of service within 8 years of their program completion date. | Complete 4 years of service within 8 years of their program completion date. | Complete 2 years of service within 4 years of their program completion date. |
Service Obligation
There is a service requirement tied to receiving GSTG funds. The commitment is documented in the Cohort 1 and 2 Service Agreement (SA) and Cohort 3 Service Agreement. No funds are paid until the SA is accepted by the participant.
- Cohort 1 and 2 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.
- Cohort 3 GSTG recipients commit to work at an eligible priority school or California State Preschool Program (CSPP) for 2 years within 4 years of the date they complete their professional preparation program.
- Any time working prior to both completing their program and obtaining their credential is not counted towards the service requirement.
When determining an eligible school for employment, GSTG recipients may refer to either:
- The list published for the school year they are initially awarded GSTG funds OR
- The school year they are seeking new employment for after completing their program.
Priority Schools
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.
Eligible Priority Schools:
2025-26 GSTG Priority Schools List
2024-25 GSTG Priority Schools List
2023-24 GSTG Priority Schools List
2022-23 GSTG Priority Schools List
California State Preschool Programs (CSPP)
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.
How To Apply
STEP 1: Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA | Federal Student Aid) or CA Dream Act Application (CADAA).
STEP 2: Submit a Golden State Teacher Grant (GSTG) Application.
Next Steps
Once a student has submitted a GSTG application, they will receive a confirmation email and be prioritized for awarding by CSAC according to their Student Aid Index (SAI) and available funding. The student’s institution may then 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 for paper checks to arrive at the institution. Institutions enrolled in electronic transfer of funds (EFT) for the GSTG Program should receive payments the same week they are requested.
Frequently Asked Questions
GSTG Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
Repayment
GSTG recipients have 6 years to complete their program and be issued their preliminary teaching or pupil personnel services credential by the CTC from the date the Commission mails their initial GSTG payment to their institution. Failure to meet this requirement will result in immediate placement on a Repayment Schedule for 100% of the grant funds disbursed. Cohort 1 and 2 recipients will be placed on a 4-year Repayment Schedule while cohort 3 recipients will be placed on a 2-year Repayment Schedule.
Repayment Timeframe Details
The timeframe to complete their service obligation begins on the date they complete their program. At the end of the timeframe, they will be required to repay 25% to 50% of their total awarded amount for each year their service obligation is not met. For those whose obligation is met, no repayment will be necessary. The repayment is for funds awarded only. Interest does not accrue.
For example, if the recipient has a 4-year service obligation (Cohorts 1 and 2) and completes:
- 1 year = Repay 75% of the awarded amount
- 2 years = Repay 50% of the awarded amount
- 3 years = Repay 25% of the awarded amount
- 4 years = No Repayment, obligation complete
If the recipient has a 2-year service obligation and completes:
- 1 year = Repay 50% of the awarded amount
- 2 years = No Repayment, obligation complete
The service does not need to be completed consecutively as recipients have the full 4- or 8-year timeframe (as designated by their Service Agreement) from their program completion date to fulfill the obligation. Furthermore, recipients may change schools during their service obligation period as long as they are working at eligible priority schools or CSPPs.
Pre-Enrollment Conditional Award Notice
If you are interested in enrolling in a professional preparation program leading to a preliminary teaching or pupil personnel services credential and would like to submit a request for a pre-enrollment conditional award notice from the Commission, please email goldenstateteachers@csac.ca.gov with the subject line “Pre-Enrollment Conditional Award Notice.” The notice will provide information regarding the GSTG award amount you could be eligible to receive upon enrollment in a CTC-approved professional preparation program and formal GSTG application.
Contact Information
GSTG Coordinator Contact Information by Institution
California Student Aid Commission
Golden State Teacher Grant Program
goldenstateteachers@csac.ca.gov