Golden State Teacher Grant Program (GSTG) 2027

The Golden State Teacher Grant Program (GSTG) is open for students enrolled in teacher preparation programs to obtain a credential in a field with a high need and to commit to teaching for four years at a priority school in California within five years of finishing a teacher preparation program.

Students receive awards under the Golden State Teacher Grant Program (GSTG) of up to $20,000 for participating in recognized California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) or preparation courses leading to a pupil personnel services credential. The award payment may be distributed over several academic years, but students must finish their credential program within six years of the initial payment being made to them.

Priority School

A “priority school” is designated where more than half of the students are identified as current foster youth, English learners, or qualified for free or reduced lunches. Every year by April 15, the California Department of Education (CDE) compiles the priority school list utilizing information that all public schools in the state of California have provided via CALPADS.

Also, apply for:

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria to be eligible for the Golden State Teacher Grant (GSTG);

Applicants must be enrolled in a professional preparation course accredited by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and based in California.
Students must pledge to work for four years at a California priority school within eight years after finishing their degree.
Applicants want to obtain a certificate in student personal services or preliminary teaching.
Must maintain a good academic record.
Service is required at a priority school.
Must submit a CA Dream Act or FAFSA application.

Golden State Teacher Grant Program Deadline

For the latest Golden State Teacher Grant 2027 application deadline, please visit the official page. If you were already awarded a GSTG grant in a previous year, you do not need to submit a new application.

Golden State Teacher Grant Program application

The application process is online for the Golden State Teacher Grant Program 2027. To apply for this grant program follow the application steps below.

Fill out a CA Dream Act Application (CADAA) or a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the academic year you are applying for the GSTG.
Apply for the Golden State Teacher Grant Program.
After the submission of a GSTG application, you will receive a confirmation email. The student’s institution will confirm the award amount and the student’s eligibility.
Upon verification of the student’s eligibility by the university, they will be required to sign a Service Agreement (SA). The SA specifies the grant’s service commitment, requirements for the program, and repayment schedule.
The student’s school will have the ability to request a payment once the SA has been signed. The award will be distributed equally among all terms the student is enrolled in during the academic year unless the institution requests differently. The following timeline may be followed by the institution when it starts to solicit payment for each term:
- Fall – early August
- Winter – early November
- Spring (2 term programs) – early January
- Spring (3 and 4 term programs) – early March
- Summer – mid-April
The grant check takes about 6-8 weeks to reach the institution from the date of submission of the payment request.