Legislation
In the 2024 General Legislative Session, HB 221 Stipends for Future Educators was passed. This state funding pays a stipend to Utah university/college students who are completing their student teaching in a Utah public school. Administrative Rule R277-331 was passed by the Board to govern these stipends. The stipend is an award of up to $6000 per student teacher. Stipends may be prorated based on the length of your student teaching experience and legislative funding allocation. There is only one additional year of funding (2025-2026) for the student teacher stipend at this time.
Who qualifies?
Individuals who meet all of these criteria qualify for the stipend:
- Must be enrolled in a university/college teacher preparation program
- Must complete student teaching in a Utah public school
- Must not be receiving grants or scholarships from any State of Utah program, including AmeriCorps
- Must not be compensated by the public school district or charter school unless the eligible student teacher works as a substitute teacher or in an extracurricular activity
- Must start/complete student teaching experience after July 1, 2024
Student Teacher Responsibilities
You must complete the following steps to receive your student teacher stipend:
- Obtain a letter of enrollment from your Utah university/college stating you are in your student teaching experience.
- Apply for the stipend and sign affidavit assuring you will seek employment as licensed teacher in Utah. LINK TO APPLICATION
- Application may be submitted up to 6 weeks prior to the scheduled start of student teaching.
- Contact Human Resources office at the school district or charter.
- Complete appropriate paperwork with the HR office.
The school district or charter school will disburse the funds to you.
Employment & Taxes
Your student teacher stipend is employment income. As such, it is subject to state and federal income tax. Your total stipend is the gross amount before any taxes or other deductions are withheld. Many factors impact your net amount, take-home pay, after these withholdings, including what type of employee you are (1099 vs. W-4), number of dependents claimed, optional deductions, and individual tax situations. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides many resources to help in Understanding Taxes.
The Utah State Board of Education cannot provide you with information or advice related to your personal tax liability or employment situation. Please contact a tax professional with these types of inquiries.
University/College Responsibilities
Educator preparation program must provide a letter to the student teacher candidate that contains the information below. The updated Student Teacher Stipend Information for LEAs and IHEs (PDF) guidance document will detail requirements including the letter template.
- Name of the student teacher
- Educator ID Number (CACTUS #)
- Student teaching assignment (LEA & school)
- Length of student teaching (e.g., 10 weeks)
- "Student is enrolled and in good standing in our preparation program seeking a professional license in teaching. Student has completed all preparation coursework except capstone clinical experience and corequisite coursework."
School District/Charter Responsibilities
The Local Education Agency (LEA) must record the student teacher assignment in CACTUS. The LEA will disperse the funds directly to the student teacher according to their LEA policies. The updated Student Teacher Stipend Information for LEAs and IHEs (PDF) guidance document will detail requirements.
Questions?
We are continuously updating the Student Teacher Stipend FAQs. If your answer is not found there, please contact the educator licensing team with any questions you may have related to the stipend at StudentTeacherStipends@schools.utah.gov or 801-538-7740.