Financial Assistance

Each of the participating institutions provides general information about student loans, grants, and scholarships on the financial aid home page of its website. Just click on the links below.

Boise State University
http://financialaid.boisestate.edu/

Idaho State University
http://www.isu.edu/prospect-financialresources.shtml

Lewis Clark State College
http://www.lcsc.edu/financialaid/

University of Idaho
http://www.students.uidaho.edu/finaid

In addition, you may wish to discuss specific supports for candidates pursuing special education certification with your institutional contact. Some candidates currently working, or willing to work, in designated high-needs districts may qualify for Transition to Teaching stipends or loan forgiveness programs.

Transition to Teaching offers stipends of up to $5000 for candidates who are paraeducators, recent college graduates, or mid-career changers seeking initial teacher certification. Recipients must agree to teach in a high needs district for three years. Recipients unable to fulfill this commitment will be required to repay the stipend.

Idaho districts currently identified as high needs include Dietrich #314, West Jefferson #253, Wilder #133, South Lemhi #292, Midvale #433, West Side #202, Clark County #161, Caldwell #132, Cambridge #432, Gooding #231, Bruneau-Grandview #365, Hansen #415, Grangeville #241, Castleford #417, Lapwai #341, Blackfoot #55, Whitepine #288, Parma #137, Notus #135, and Murtaugh #418.

Candidates interested in this opportunity should apply through a participating institution.

Contact Allison McClintick for more information about Transition to Teaching:

208-334-2270
allison.mcclintick@osbe.idaho.gov

This program is designed for paraeducators who possess an AA/AS or higher degree or equivalent credit and who wish to become certified special education teachers. Upon successful completion, you will receive your Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and a recommendation for the Exceptional Child Certificate, K-12 Generalist Endorsement. The program consists of three components:

  1. 30 credits in Special Education. This course work will be provided by the University of Idaho, Idaho State University, Boise State University, and Lewis Clark State College and will be available online.
  2. Minimum of 20 credits in one of the following subject area endorsements: Reading, English, Mathematics, or Science. Candidates should work with their institution to consider the availability and accessibility of programs leading to these endorsements. In addition, a reading endorsement has been developed by the University of Idaho, Idaho State University, Boise State University, and Lewis Clark State College and will be available online.
  3. Minimum of 26 credits to meet institutional requirements, to include 14 credits in practicum, internship, and student teaching. It is the responsibility of the institution awarding the degree to determine the requirements of this component.

Course work will commence January 2008. At this time, the required courses in special education and the online reading endorsement will be offered only once. Candidates should plan to complete all requirements within four years.