Going into Teaching?
The Golden State Teacher Grant program (GSTG) is for students who are currently enrolled in a professional preparation program approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and working towards earning their preliminary teaching or pupil personnel services credential.
Students must:
- Complete their program and obtain their credential within 6 years from the date their initial GSTG payments are mailed to their institution.
- Commit to work at either a priority school or a California preschool program for either 2 or 4 years by the terms of their specific Service Agreement.
GSTG awards of up to $20,000 are available to eligible, currently enrolled students in California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) approved teacher preparation programs within a California institution of higher education who have filed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA).
What is the Commitment?
The Service Agreement explains the student’s obligations under the provisions of the grant. Non-compliance with the Service Agreement will result in partial or full grant repayment.
- Maintain good academic standing while enrolled in the CTC-approved teacher preparation program.
- GSTG recipients commit to work at an eligible priority school or California State Preschool Program (CSPP) for either 4 years within 8 years of the date they complete their professional preparation program or 2 years within 4 years of the date they complete their professional preparation program.
- Any work before the completion of the program and obtaining the credential does not count toward the service agreement requirement.
- Visit CTC’s website for a current list of programs. Please note: Only the programs on the list located on the map in CA may be eligible.
Eligibility & Awarding
GSTG applicants have varying eligibility restrictions, maximum award amounts, awarding prioritizations, funding restrictions, and service obligations according to their assigned cohort. Cohorts are assigned based on application submission date and Student Aid Index (SAI). Only Cohort 3 is open for new applicants.
The 2026-27 Golden State Teach Grant application will be available in July 2026.
Join the 2026-27 GSTG applicant interest list to receive updates regarding the
GSTG Program for the 2026-27 academic year, once information is available.
Eligibility and awarding for new 2026-27 applicants will be dependent on the 2026-27 State Budget.
Institutions will be able to review 2026-27 GSTG applications for eligibility and award determination in the summer of 2026. Awarding is done on a first-come, first-served basis, and funding is limited, so submit your application as soon as possible.
How Do I Apply?
Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid or CA Dream Act Application.
Apply for a Golden State Teacher Grant on the California Student Aid Commission’s (CSAC) Golden State Teacher Grant webpage.
Once you have completed all steps, contact your Graduate Student Affairs Officer so they may work with the Financial Aid Office and track your application.
How Will I Know if I am Awarded a Golden State Teacher Grant?
If awarded, you will be notified by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). CSAC will send eligible GSTG applicants a letter of acknowledgement along with a Service Agreement (SA). Please sign and return the service agreement within 30 days from the date of receipt.
The SA outlines the requirements of the program and stipulates that CSAC will authorize a one-time grant, with the amount stipulated on the SA, to an eligible applicant who commits to teach at an eligible priority school or a CSPP for 4 years within 8 years of completing their program or 2 years within 4 years of the date they complete their professional preparation program depending on Cohort/Service Agreement terms.
If I am Awarded, How and When will I Receive the Funds?
UC Berkeley Financial Aid Federal and State Programs Unit requests GSTG funds the week after the term instruction.
Your award amount will come via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) from CSAC to UC Berkeley about two weeks after the funds are requested.
Once the campus receives the funds, your package will be adjusted, and funds will be disbursed within 5 business days of the package adjustment.
Need Help? We’re Here for You
Please contact us with any questions you may have.
Don’t wait to start your application! Visit the Golden State Teacher Grant webpage to get more information about eligibility, application and service requirements. Start your application soon, as there is a limited number of grants available!