Welcome to "The Source," an e-newsletter exclusively for Student PSEA members. In each issue, you'll receive the latest updates from your association, advice from veteran educators, professional development offerings, and more to support you as an aspiring educator.
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Inside this issue
- Registration for the 2026 Student PSEA Conference and Convention is OPEN!
- Status of 2025-26 student teacher stipend payments
- Last chance! Lucy A. Valero scholarship applications due Jan. 31
- Upcoming professional development opportunities
- Member Benefits spotlight: Boscov’s Travel
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Registration for the 2026 Student PSEA Conference and Convention is OPEN!
Join us for the 2026 Student PSEA Conference and Convention at the Penn Stater Hotel in State College!
Conference attendees will have opportunities to attend a career fair and professional development sessions, run for state or region office positions, donate to PSEA-PACE, and network with fellow aspiring and current educators, including the 2026 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Madeline Loring. The Achieving Professional Excellence (APEX) showcase and Interactive Learning Project (ILP) competition will also take place.
Registration is FREE for all Student PSEA members. Space is limited, so do not wait to register. Registration includes materials, a conference T-shirt, and meals. Conference attire for both days is business and business casual.
Hotel Accommodations at the Penn Stater Hotel
Each attendee is responsible for arranging their own hotel accommodations by Wednesday, Feb. 25 to receive the discounted PSEA rate. Do not delay booking a room. All unreserved rooms will be released to the public for sale on Thursday, Feb. 26.
To make reservations online:1. Go to www.thepennstaterhotel.com and select the Book Now tab at the top of the page. 2. Choose your arrival and departure dates. 3. Select the Special Code tab, select Group Attendee Code, and enter the group block code PSEA26A. 5. Choose your desired room type and complete the reservation. To make reservations by phone:Call (814) 863-5000 to request a room block for the PSEA 2026 Student Conference and Convention referencing code PSEA26A.
2026 Student PSEA Awards
2026 Student PSEA award recipients will be announced at the conference to recognize members, advisors, and chapters who go above and beyond for our association. Nominations must be submitted on or by Monday, March 23.
Questions about the 2026 Student PSEA Conference and Convention should be directed to students@psea.org. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Status of 2025-26 student teacher stipend payments
After nearly five months, a 2025-26 state budget was passed by the Pennsylvania Legislature and signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro on Nov. 12. This state budget includes $30 million for the Pennsylvania Student Teacher Support Program to pay student teachers a $10,000 stipend for the work they do during their 12-week student teaching experience.
About 3,500 student teachers have applied for a stipend in the 2025-26 school year, however, the $30 million investment in this program is likely not enough for all applicants to receive a stipend. Because this is the same amount of money that was available for the 2024-25 school year, we expect about 2,100 student teachers to receive a stipend.
Since the budget was adopted, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) has been determining which applicants will be considered “provisionally eligible” for the program, verifying provisional eligibility with students’ colleges and universities, and preparing to distribute stipends to school districts for remittance to eligible student teachers.
Here are the steps we know PHEAA has completed:
- In November, PHEAA determined the population of 2025-26 student teacher stipend applicants who will be “provisionally eligible” based on earliest date and time of their application and the program’s allocation in the budget. Once selected, PHEAA began notifying those student teachers. We heard from some of you that you began receiving emails about “provisional eligibility” the week of Thanksgiving. Thank you for keeping us in the loop and confirming the process is working!
- In December, after determining which applicants are “provisionally eligible,” PHEAA began sending certification listings to colleges and universities to verify student teachers’ eligibility (GPA, placement location, etc.). Once the certification listings are returned to PHEAA, it will update the eligible applicants’ records in their system. This could be extended through January based on colleges and universities' response times.
Here are the steps we anticipate PHEAA to take in order to provide eligible fall 2025 and spring 2026 student teachers with a stipend:
- Start watching your emails again! PHEAA has begun sending second notifications with final approval to applicants who are verified as eligible to receive a stipend. PSEA has heard from Student PSEA members that they have received an email.
- PHEAA will begin scheduling the disbursement of stipends to school districts. PHEAA will send a disbursement roster to school districts, and the Pennsylvania Treasury will release funds to school districts two weeks later. PHEAA indicates that it hopes to begin disbursements for fall 2025 and spring 2026 student teachers in early 2026. We do not have any new information from PHEAA if funds have begun being released.
- There is a two-week window for the stipend money to travel to school districts’ accounts for disbursement.
- School districts are responsible for providing stipend payment to eligible student teachers. PHEAA does not provide the stipend payment directly to student teachers.
- If you have not heard anything about a stipend from either PHEAA or your school district by Sunday, Feb. 1, PSEA recommends reaching out to PHEAA at studentteachersupport@pheaa.org. If you are splitting your placement between two school districts, reach out to the business office in your first placement.
IMPORTANT! Are you a fall 2025 student teacher who applied for a stipend? Here’s what you need to do.
If you are a fall 2025 student teacher who was notified by PHEAA that you will be receiving a stipend, you need to make sure your placement school district has your contact information. Please provide your student teaching placement’s business office with your current contact information and mailing address as soon as possible. Because fall 2025 student teachers will no longer be in their placements when stipend checks are issued, it’s important that school districts have your correct information on file to ensure your stipend is mailed to you without delay.
If you are a spring 2026 student teacher, you will likely be asked to provide your contact information and mailing address while in your student teacher placement.
Rest assured PSEA will continue to keep you up to date as PHEAA works to disburse student teacher stipends. For more information about the Pennsylvania Student Teacher Support Program, visit www.pheaa.org.
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Last chance! Lucy A. Valero scholarship applications due Jan. 31
The PSEA Lucy A. Valero Memorial Scholarship Fund offers scholarships to Student PSEA members in good standing. Scholarship recipients are chosen by the trustees of the Lucy A. Valero Memorial Scholarship Fund composed of PSEA officers, staff, and the Student PSEA president, and will be awarded at the upcoming 2026 Student PSEA Conference and Convention in State College.
Applications must be postmarked no later than Saturday, Jan. 31.
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Upcoming professional development opportunities
Join University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg Student PSEA on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for their annual Teacher Leadership Institute. Attendees will network with fellow aspiring educators, participate in a PSEA-PACE raffle, and more. Click here to register.
Webinars
• Elementary Behavior Reboot: From Chaos to Calm: Jan. 28, 7-8:30 p.m.
• Understanding and Implementing Behavior Support Plans: Feb. 3, 7-8:30 p.m.
• Tools, Strategies, and Resources to Help New and Early Career Educators: Feb. 11, 7-8:30 p.m.
• Supporting Gifted Learners: Feb. 18, 7-8:30 p.m.
Book Discussions
• Learning by Mistake: 12 Strategies to Turn Student Errors into Opportunities: March 3, 7-8 p.m.
• Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card: April 14, 7-8 p.m.
• See Me After Class: Advice for Teachers by Teachers (2024 edition): April 22, 7-8 p.m.
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Member Benefits spotlight: Boscov’s Travel
As a PSEA Member Benefits partner, Boscov’s Travel has many perks and benefits just for you when you book your next vacation. The company’s local, knowledgeable advisors are ready to help you plan your dream vacation – whether it’s a cruise, an all-inclusive island resort, U.S. or global land tours, or Disney and Orlando amusement destinations.
In business for over 46 years, Boscov’s brings its experience and knowledge to you.
Now more than ever, using a professional travel advisor has never been more valuable. As a PSEA member, you get exclusive discounts that can be bundled with the best national offers. Yet another perk – book your travel with your Boscov’s credit card and enjoy 12 months interest-free financing!
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The Source provides you with pertinent information, interesting features, and valuable resources on your journey as a Student PSEA member.
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400 N. 3rd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
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This message is intended for PSEA Members and their families.
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