Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant Program

*The following is a brief description for students. Institutions should refer to the most recent guidelines for information.

The Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant Program provides financial assistance to Massachusetts residents who are currently employed as paraprofessionals in Massachusetts public schools, but wish to become certified as full time teachers. This grant is designed to reduce their financial burden and help address the Commonwealth's current teacher shortage. Financial need is not a requirement for the Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant. However, recipients must annually file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Who Is Eligible?

To be eligible for a Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant, a student must:

• Physically reside in Massachusetts for at least one year, as of the start of the enrolled term, with an intent to remain in Massachusetts consistent with Board of Higher Education policy; and
• Have approved eligibility status as a “High School Completer,” ¹ per the Massachusetts tuition equity law, ² or be a U.S. Citizen, permanent legal resident, or non-citizen eligible under Title IV regulations.
• Have applied for financial aid, using the standard Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a FAFSA equivalent application authorized by the Department of Higher Education.
• Not be in default of any federal or state Student Loans for attendance at any institution or owe a refund for any previous financial aid received.
• Not have received a prior bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
• Enroll in an undergraduate degree program (full-time or part-time) leading to teacher certification in a Massachusetts Public or Private college or university.
• Be employed, for a minimum of two years, as a paraprofessional in a Massachusetts public school.
• If employed less than two years as a paraprofessional, a student may qualify for the grant only if the undergraduate course of study will lead to teacher certification in high-need disciplines: Math, Science, Special Education, Foreign Languages, or Bilingual Education.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress in accordance with institutional standards.
• Recipients must sign a Terms and Conditions Statement requiring the student to serve as a full-time teacher in a Massachusetts public school. The commitment will range from a minimum of 2 years with a maximum of 4 years. Failure to provide the required service will result in a repayment of funds as defined in the agreement.

¹ See www.mass.edu/tuitionequity for more details.

² Pursuant to Section 9 of Chapter 15A, as amended by Section 11 of Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2023.

Eligible Institutions

For the purposes of the Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant, an eligible institution is defined as a regionally accredited public or private, college or university in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that offers a teacher preparation program leading to licensure, approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE); or a two-year public college that has a signed articulation or joint admissions agreement with such an institution for a teacher preparation program.

Award Amounts

The grant award under this program will vary, depending on the type of institution and the students' enrollment status (full-time or part-time) as follows:

How to Apply

Paraprofessionals interested in applying for the grant must complete the following:

• Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can file your FAFSA electronically here.
• Create a MASSAid Student Portal account here if you do not already have one.
• Complete the Paraprofessional Teachers Preparation Grant application in the MASSAid Student Portal system.

The 2024-2025 Paraprofessional Grant application is now closed.

Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant Program Guidelines