PHEAA Student Teacher Support Program webinar follow-up
It has been over a month since PSEA hosted a student teacher stipend webinar and the PHEAA application process opened for the student teacher stipend system. The questions you asked during the webinar are/were helpful to all of us as PSEA and PHEAA continue to work collaboratively on the program. These answers should not be treated as *official*. Remember: PSEA is not the administrator of the program. We are doing our best to get answers and help PHEAA think through individual situations that occur with students, recognizing that many of your situations are examples of real and/or hypothetical situations that PHEAA will deal with in their official capacity as the grant administrator.
While PSEA is happy to facilitate answers to administrative questions on the Student Teacher Support Program, it’s important for you to email PHEAA these questions, as well. (Email: StudentTeacherSupport@pheaa.org)
Substitute teaching (also see PHEAA’s FAQ, which addresses substitute teaching):
• Students won’t jeopardize their stipends if they are employed as substitute teachers before and after their student teacher experience.
• Student teachers receiving a stipend are able to substitute for 10 days during their student teacher experience (per Section 1201.1(3)).
• It is far easier for school districts to process your stipend if you perform your substitute teaching through a third-party sub service provider. This is a paperwork issue for the business office. When you are employed directly by a school district as a substitute, you are classified as an employee, and your compensation is issued in conjunction with that of an employee. When you are a student teacher and receiving your stipend via a school district, you are NOT considered a school employee and your paperwork is done differently.
• A student employed as a long-term substitute by a school district is ineligible for the stipend. They are receiving compensation from the district as they perform the long-term sub and student teacher work simultaneously.
• A student employed as a full-time building substitute during their student teacher experience would be ineligible for the stipend.
Students seeking a master’s degree immediately after graduation/bachelor’s degree
• PSEA understands many of you are considering continuing your education after you complete your bachelor’s program. If you decide to seek your master’s degree, you should notify PHEAA. They will be working with PDE to confirm your employment in a PA school post-graduation. It will be easier if they are aware, in advance, of your plans.
• PHEAA has a long history of working with students on deferment issues. We don’t expect PHEAA to demand repayment if you are furthering your education or entering the military. You need to work with PHEAA on your timeline and when you will complete your three years of employment in a Pennsylvania school.
• If you are considering getting your master’s degree, PSEA would urge you to consider doing that as you begin your career in a PA school district. Many collective bargaining agreements have tuition reimbursement for master’s degrees. This should be something you research as you explore possible employment in a public school entity.
Moving out-of-state
• You must complete your commitment to teach in a Pennsylvania school for three years. This could mean you live in a border state (Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Maryland) but teach in a public school. This would fulfill the requirement.
• If you move out-of-state and are no longer employed by a PA school, then PHEAA will seek repayment of the stipend. You should notify PHEAA if this occurs. Otherwise, PHEAA will figure it out when they cross-check employment files of school entities from PDE.
Student Teaching Not 100% in PA
• You must complete a minimum of 12 weeks of full-time student teaching in Pennsylvania to receive a stipend. If you have a student teacher placement that is split 12 weeks in Pennsylvania and any number of weeks somewhere else, then you can receive the stipend. But if it is less than 12 weeks in Pennsylvania, you are ineligible.
Stipend and Financial Aid
• The stipend will not jeopardize your financial aid calculation. PHEAA designed the program deliberately to ensure that doesn't occur. That’s why PHEAA must transmit the money to school entities to pay you.
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