Grow Your Own Educator Program
Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE)
State grants that pay tuition, fees and books for Oklahoma school district employees and community members working toward a teaching certificate, through their district.
- How much
- Tuition, fees and books (no dollar limit stated on the page)
- Who qualifies
- Employee or community member sponsored by a participating Oklahoma public school district
- Enrolled in or accepted to an approved educator preparation program or OSDE alternative certification pathway; district participation required.
- For adults going back to school, undergrads, grad students
- For education, teacher certification students
- When to apply
- Apply any time District participation form yearly on or after Jan. 1; status reports due June 30.
- How to apply
- Your school district submits the yearly participation form (on or after January 1) and an application for you
- You then receive an email link to complete the Grow Your Own Educator application and provide itemized bills and class schedules each semester
- What you'll need
- state application + school nomination
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (oklahoma.gov)
The details
An OSDE program addressing teacher shortages: grants cover tuition, fees and books for school staff and community members pursuing teaching credentials through a traditional educator preparation program or approved alternative certification pathways (including required non-degree courses such as classroom management and pedagogy). Recent legislation (SB 2045) removed the district matching requirement and added alternative certification coursework. Districts apply for each eligible employee and file status reports by June 30; applicants must be enrolled in or accepted to an approved program or OSDE pathway and keep making progress. The page doesn't state a dollar limit.
More money from Oklahoma
- Oklahoma Rising Scholars Award (formerly Academic Scholars Program)Per year, entry year 2026 automatic qualifiers: $24,000 (research universities), $13,000 (regional), $12,500 (community/two-year colleges); institutional nominees: $4,000 / $3,200 / $3,000; plus a tuition waiver at public colleges
- State Regents Workforce Ready ScholarshipOne-time: $7,000 (research institutions), $5,000 (regional), $3,000 (two-year)
- Chiropractic Education Scholarship ProgramUp to $6,000 per year (varies with appropriation)
- Regional University Baccalaureate Scholarship$3,500 per year plus a resident tuition waiver
- Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG)The lesser of 75% of enrollment costs or up to $1,500 (community colleges and career tech centers), $2,000 (regional universities), $3,000 (research universities) per year
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Texas
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.