Scholarships & Financial Aid
The Partnership for Rural Educator Preparation (T-PREP)
Earn up to 60,000 Dollars in Stipends and Grants to Become a Teacher in Rural Colorado
When You Join The Partnership for Rural Educator Preparation (T-PREP) Program through CU Denver.
T-PREP staff will support you to apply for and access existing state and federal funding to help you pay for your bachelor's degree and teaching license.
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Current funding streams include:
For all T-PREP Candidates in Years 1-4
$16,000 – Federal TEACH Grant – U.S. Department of Education
- Students taking courses in teaching, and who agree to teach full-time for at least four years in a teacher shortage area in a low-income school may receive up to $4,000* per year. You must complete the FAFSA to qualify.
For Early Childhood T-PREP Candidates in Years 1-4
Early Childhood Stipends, Scholarships & Loan Forgiveness – Colorado Department of Higher Education & T-PREP ECE Scholarship
- T-PREP teacher candidates pursuing Early Childhood licensure can qualify for various financial supports including full tuition stipends to complete ECE 1011 and 1031 at the community college, other scholarships to take additional ECE courses, and up to $5000 in loan forgiveness.
For T-PREP Candidates Employed as Paraprofessionals in Years 3 & 4 (taking CU Denver Courses)
$10,000 – Educator Recruitment and Retention Program – Colorado Department of Education
- T-PREP teacher candidates employed as a paraprofessional who are enrolled in CU Denver courses and who commit to teaching in a shortage area for three years
in a Colorado public school are eligible for up to $10,000 in financial assistance.
For T-PREP Candidates in Year 4 (taking CU Denver Courses and completing residency internships)
$22,000 – Student Educator Stipends – Colorado Department of Higher Education
- T-PREP teacher candidates can receive this stipend during their final two semesters of the program. To qualify, you must complete the FAFSA or CAFSA and your expected family contribution cannot exceed 200% of the maximum federal limit to be eligible for PELL grants.
$10,000 -Colorado Rural Teaching Fellowship – Colorado Center for Rural Education
- Teacher candidates who are eligible for work study dollars,complete a year-long clinical experience in a rural school district during their final year, and commit to teaching for two years in a rural district after completion are eligible. You must complete the FAFSA to qualify.
$4,000 Colorado Rural Teaching Stipend – Colorado Center for Rural Education
- Teacher candidates who are in their final semester and who student teach in Colorado rural school districts can apply to receive $4,000 of funding. Recipients are expected to work in a rural school district for two years after graduating.