Special Education Pathways Grant

Are you interested in becoming a special education teacher? Apply for the Resource Training & Solutions Special Education Teacher Pathways grant program, which will provide tuition and programmatic support to help you become a licensed special education teacher. The Special Education Teacher Pathways grant is designed to increase the number of Tier III and IV special education teachers in our region.

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Applications are currently closed. Please check back in Fall 2026 for any updates.

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To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Currently employed with a SPED Pathway supporting school district (see below)
  • Priority is given to Tier I or Tier II educators
  • Demonstrate a willingness to be a special education teacher after completing the program
  • No Tier IV teaching license in Minnesota

What you will receive:

  • Financial support for tuition, fees, and educational expenses paid directly to higher education partners up to $550 per credit
  • One-on-one advising support throughout the program
  • Support between college staff and employer
  • Stay in your current position while going back to school

Higher Education Partners:

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Bemidji  State University

  • Program Length: Graduate + Add-On Cert.
  • Special Ed. Graduate Degree Options: Special Education (Online)
  • Special Ed. Graduate Certificate Options: ASD, EBD, LD

For more information on programs, click here >>

Bethel University‍

  • Program Length: Graduate, Graduate Concentration License
  • Special Ed. Graduate Degree: Special Education MA (Online)
  • Special Education Concentrations: ABS, ASD, DD, EBD

For more information on programs, click here >>

Minnesota State University Mankato

  • Special Ed. Graduate Degree Options: Special Education (online and in person)
  • Special Ed. Graduate Degree Options:  ABS, ASD, DCD, EBD, ECSE, SLD
  • Special Ed. Bachelor’s Degree option: ABS (Academic Behavior Strategist)
    Online or in-person

For more information on programs, click here >>

‍Minnesota State University Moorhead

  • Program Length: Graduate + Add-On Cert.
  • Special Ed. Graduate Degree Options: Special Education (Online)
  • Special Ed. Graduate Certificate Options: SLD, PHD, ECSE, DD, DCD
  • (Both bachelor's and master's degree options available)

For more information on programs, click here >>

St. Cloud State University

  • Program Length: Graduate; Graduate Certificate
  • Special Ed. Graduate Degree Options: ECSE (On-Campus, Evenings/Weekends), Special Education (On-Campus/Online),
  • Special Ed. Graduate Certificate Options  (On Campus/Online): ASD, ABS, DD, ECSE, EBD, LD

For more information on programs, click here >>

‍St. Mary's University

  • Program Length: Graduate + Add-On Cert.; Bachelor's
  • Special Ed. Graduate Degree Options / Bachelor Degree Options (Online)
  • Special Ed. Concentration Options: EBD, ASD, LD

For more information on programs, click here >>

Southwest Minnesota State University

  • Special Ed. Graduate Degree Options: Special Education (Online and in person options
  • Special Ed. Graduate Certificate Options: ABS, ASD, EBD, ECSE, DD, SLD
  • (Both bachelor's and master's degree options available)
  • Bachelor’s degree + ABS or ECSE license 
  • Para to SPED program available

For more information on programs, click here >>

University of St. Thomas

For more information on programs, click here >>

FAQs

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Do I need to apply for the grant every semester?

  • ‍‍Yes, we will have rolling applications for financially supporting each semester needed since programs are different lengths.

What costs does this grant cover?

  • While funding remains, this grant will cover tuition, application fees, PELSB fees, and the cost of any required MTLE’s

What is required of me to be eligible for this grant?

  • Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the FAFSA
  • Applicants must meet the admission requirements for the program of choice
  • Applicants must sign the student agreement, and fulfill the requirements therein
  • Must be employed as a Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3 teacher or as a paraprofessional within a SPED Pathway supporting school district: Albany, Benton-Stearns Education District, Big Lake, Braham, Chisago Lakes, Delano, East Central, Hinckley-Finlayson, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winstead, Holdingford, Isle, Kaleidoscope Charter School, Kimball, Meeker and Wright Special Education Cooperative, Melrose, Mora, North Branch, Paynesville, Pine City, Rockford, ROCORI, Rum River Special Education Cooperative, Rush City, Sauk Centre, Sauk Rapids-Rice, St. Croix River Education District, West Central Education District, and Willow River
  • Enrolled students must make adequate yearly progress and reach licensure status within 3 years from initial grant application
  • Must demonstrate a willingness to be a special education teacher after completing your program of choice

Visit this link for more information >>

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The Minnesota Department of Education provided funding for this program under Minnesota Statutes section 122A.731, grants under the Special Education Teacher Pathways Program to develop a pathway of trained, licensed Tier 3 or Tier 4 special education teachers.

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For More Information:

Shari Bishop, Education Specialist

sbishop@resourcecoop-mn.gov

(320) 630-4307