News Update

Chico State wins $13.4 million grant to boost rural Northern California teacher workforce

Chico State’s School of Education won a $13.4 million, three-year grant to provide financial aid and other incentives to students in 12 Northern California counties who want to become teachers in their communities.

The grant from the U.S. Department of Education will cover financial aid, test fees and other costs for more than 700 high school students in dual enrollment programs, undergraduates, credential candidates and master’s degree students. The grant is intended to lure students to the teaching profession, as well as help alleviate the teacher shortage in Northern California’s rural counties.

“This grant is specifically designed to (eliminate barriers to becoming a teacher) by providing financial and social support to underserved students in our region through a ‘grow your own’ program, which is designed to help students across our region stay in our region, give back to our communities, and enjoy careers dedicated to transforming students’ lives right here in the North State,” said Ben Seipel, graduate program coordinator for the university’s school of education.

The grant is available to students from Butte, Shasta, Tehama, Modoc, Siskiyou, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Trinity, Plumas, Sutter and Yuba counties.