Grow Your Own Educator Grant

This program awards grants to the Local Education Agency (LEA) to provide scholarships to paraprofessionals, school counselor assistants, school counselor candidates, school psychologist candidates, and school social worker candidates to become licensed educators. Money appropriated under this program may be used to provide funding to grant candidates for tuition, books, fees, certification exams, 0.35 FTE during candidates' student teaching or clinical experience semester(s), and stipends for mentors.

Application Process

The application for Cohort 5 will be release by the end of May 2026. Additional information will be shared on this page when it is available. NOTE: Only LEAs may apply for Grow Your Own Grant funds. Individuals or licensure candidates who desire to receive Grow Your Own grant funds should reach out to their local school district or charter school for information on how to become eligible for approved funding.

Cohort 4 - Timeline & Deadlines

October 17, 2025: Cohort 4 Accountability Report due to USBE

July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2027: Cohort 4 funds available to awarded LEAs.

July 17, 2026: Cohort 4 Fiscal Report due to USBE for FY26

July 19, 2027: Cohort 4 Year-End Report due to USBE (FY26 & FY27)

Policy

The Grow Your Own Educator Pipeline Program Grant was created in accordance with the following regulations:

R277-320: Grow Your Own Teacher and School Counselor Pipeline Program
Utah State Board of Education Administrative Rules

Title 53F-5-218: Grow Your Own Teacher and School Counselor Pipeline Program
Utah State Legislature

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Frequently Asked Questions Grow Your Own Educator Pipeline Program
Google Docs

Contact Us

Please email growyourowneducator@schools.utah.gov with any questions.

This grant is no longer managed by USBE's School Counseling specialist.