The Grow Your Own Educator Program is an Oklahoma initiative designed to address teacher shortages by providing financial assistance and professional support to local school staff and community members pursuing teaching credentials. Recent legislative updates have modified the program to remove the previous requirement that districts provide matching funds and now allow coverage of alternative certification coursework. This expansion means that employees in approved alternative pathways can receive reimbursement for tuition and fees for required non-degree-seeking courses, such as classroom management and pedagogy.

To receive these grants, which cover tuition, fees, and books, districts must submit a brief application for each eligible employee and maintain strict fiscal and reporting compliance with the State Department of Education. Aspiring educators can use several certification pathways based on their prior education and experience, including traditional degrees or specialized programs in special education and elementary education. Ultimately, the program aims to build a sustainable and committed workforce by investing in talent already rooted within their local school communities

District Requirements:

• Complete an application for each employee
• Status Reports submitted by June 30th
  • A status update on the progress the employee receiving tuition assistance is making in the teacher preparation program in which he or she is enrolled; or
  • The employment status of the employee receiving loan repayment assistance.
• Payments
  • Loan reimbursement payments will go to the district to be paid to the participant
  • Tuition assistance will be paid to the district, and the district will need to pay the university.

District application 

Submit questions about the program

Whether you are completing a traditional educator preparation program or pursuing an approved alternative certification route, this program is designed to help districts support future educators who are already serving their communities.

*To participate in the program, applicants must:

• Complete and submit the Grow Your Own Educator Program application.
• Be enrolled in or accepted into an approved Educator Prep Program or OSDE teacher certification pathway.
• Maintain progress toward certification requirements outlined by their educator preparation program or certification pathway.
• Work with their district and program representatives to provide any required documentation or updates throughout participation in the program. You will be asked to provide some or all of the following information to the Oklahoma State Department of Education and/or your district and program representatives. 
  • An itemized copy of your most recent school bill. It needs to include the following information.
    • The total cost for the semester/year
    • Any grants you may have received
    • Any loan amounts you may have
    • Any scholarships that have been awarded to you
    • GI Bill information 
    • Other (any type of financial aid you may be receiving)
  • Each semester you will need to submit a copy of your class schedule. (Please note: payments will not go out until after the add/drop date)
  • If you have to drop a course after the add/drop date, you are required to notify your district/program representative and OSDE.)
  • To help gather necessary information, we ask that you give OSDE representatives of this program  (Dana Bennett - dana.bennett@sde.ok.gov and Celestia Bennett - celestia.bennett@sde.ok.gov) permission to access the following information from the institution of higher learning you are attending. 
    • Financial Aid/Business Office/Bursar's Office
      • Permission to request an itemized bill
    • Registrar and/or Dean   
      • Permission to request a copy of your semester schedule    

* Applicants will receive an email with a link to apply once their district submits their information. 

Submit questions about the program