California launches $10,000 student-teacher stipends

California has launched a stipend program offering eligible student teachers a one-time $10,000 payment to help cover expenses during required classroom training, which is typically unpaid. The funding is intended to reduce a financial barrier to entering teaching and help address the state’s teacher shortage; the program is expected to support about 12,500 candidates annually through 2032. Candidates generally must be enrolled in an approved credential program and complete at least 500 of 600 clinical-practice hours, with their program and school district submitting the application. An additional $5,000 is planned for candidates in high-need fields such as math, science and special education starting in the 2027–28 school year.