The State of Minnesota and the Department of Education continue to prioritize applicants who have an immediate need to become properly licensed for their current special education teaching assignment. 

Applications are reviewed periodically and participants are accepted into the Special Education Teacher Pathway program according to the priority order outlined below and in alignment with grant requirements. Program funding is reviewed periodically throughout the life of the grant. If remaining funds are insufficient, enrollment of additional non-priority applicants may be paused to preserve funding for higher priority candidates. 

Eligible candidates for FY27-32, in order of priority: 

• Tier 1 and 2 teachers
• Tier 3 and 4 teachers with special education out-of-field permissions
• DAPE licensure for Tier 3 or 4 physical education teachers
• Paraprofessionals or other non-licensed staff.

• SPED: Academic and Behavioral Specialist 
• SPED: Emotional Behavior Disorders  
• SPED: Learning Disabilities 
• SPED: Autism Spectrum Disorders 
• SPED: Developmental Adapted Physical Education  
• SPED: Physical and Health Disabilities  
• SPED: Oral/Aural Deaf Education  
• SPED: Deaf or Hard of Hearing  
• SPED: Blind or Visually Impaired 
• SPED: Early Childhood  
• SPED: Developmental Disabilities

• Bertha-Hewitt Schools
• Brainerd Public Schools
• Cass Lake-Bena ISD #115
• Crosby-Ironton School District
• Discovery Woods Charter School
• Freshwater Education District
• Little Falls Community Schools
• Long Prairie-Grey Eagle School District
• Menahga Public Schools
• Northland Community Schools
• Pequot Lakes Public Schools
• Pierz ISD 484
• Pillager Public Schools
• Pine River-Backus Public Schools
• Royalton Public Schools
• Sebeka Public Schools
• Staples-Motley School District
• Wadena-Deer Creek Public Schools
• Walker-Hackensack-Akeley School District

Bemidji State University 

Dr. Camille Brandt, camille.brandt@bemidjistate.edu, 218-755-2001

Dr. Miriam White, miriam.white@bemidjistate.edu, 218-755-2001

Southwest State University

Dr. Sonya Vierstraete, sonya.vierstraete@smsu.edu, 507-537-7254

Stephanie DeVos, stephanie.devos@smsu.edu, 507-537-7215

University of Minnesota

Leanne Johnson, PhD, leannej@umn.edu, 612-626-3457

St. Cloud State University

Dr. Brian Valentini, bjvalentini@stcloudstate.edu, 320-308-3969

Western Governors University

Constance Dodds, constance.dodds@wgu.edu, 253-740-4370

Sourcewell serves as a third-party payer on behalf of participants and is billed directly by the university and designated college bookstore. Sourcewell pays any remaining balance after other grant or scholarship dollars have been applied to student accounts. 

• This grant covers tuition, fees, and books as noted below. It does not pay for pre-licensure exams or license application fees.  
• Grant dollars cannot be used for dual-licensure programs (SPED and Elementary Ed, for example). 
• Grant dollars can only be used for courses leading to a degree and/or license in special education. 
• Only ONE degree or additional license will be funded per participant. 

Note: This is a university direct-payment model. No payments or reimbursements for tuition, fees, or book purchases will be made directly to students. Follow appropriate procedures for charging textbooks (including digital, where offered) within established charging windows. 

Program Funding Disclaimer 

Participation in Sourcewell’s Special Education Pathway Program does not guarantee indefinite financial assistance. Funding availability and award amounts may change based on grant resources, program priorities, eligibility, compliance with program requirements, and state or federal funding levels. Participants are encouraged to plan accordingly and explore additional financial aid opportunities. 

Application Due Dates:

• Fall semester: July 15
• Spring semester: Oct. 15
• Summer session: April 15

*You will receive notification of application status within two weeks of deadline.

Preparing for your application: 

1. Familiarize yourself with the grant and programming. Think this might be for you? Proceed to the next step;  
2. Complete checklist and discussion with leaders.
3. Obtain a written letter of support from your Director/Coordinator of Special Education, Superintendent, or Building Level Administrator (click here to see example letters of support). This will be uploaded with your application. 

Link to application >

Wait for communication from the Sourcewell SPED Teacher Pathway Program Lead Angie Bennett, regarding your acceptance to the program. Following receipt, proceed to next steps below.

Next steps after acceptance:

1. Apply to a Teacher Preparation Program (TPP) partner
   1. Research the program offerings available at partner TPPs. Look online, speak with points of contact at select TPPs, discuss with your district and building leaders and peers. 
   2. Choose and apply to TPP. 
   3. Notify Sourcewell’s SPED Teacher Pathway program lead when you have been admitted. 
2. Financial Aid Preparation 
   1. Complete the FERPA/Release of information form to allow Sourcewell to communicate with the TPP about your progress. Allow access to academic and student accounts. You will need to complete this and the following steps for each year you are requesting grant funding. 
   2. Complete needed information for Third-Party billing. Instructions can be found in your student account.
   3. Submit your FAFSA for the current academic year, and annually thereafter. Have the results submitted to your selected TPP. 
   4. Be ready to accept other grants and scholarships for which you may be eligible. Sourcewell will be billed for any remaining balance AFTER other scholarships or grants are applied. 
   5. You are not required to accept any loans. 
3. Academic Planning 
   1. Meet with your TPP advisor to:
      1. Create your program plan. This outlines the courses you plan to take and when you will take them. While this can be altered if circumstances require, it gives you, your district, and Sourcewell important information for planning. Share this plan with SPED Teacher Pathway program lead.  
      2. Register for courses.

• Remain employed in a partnering district and continue to receive leader support for participation. Immediately notify SPED Teacher Pathway program lead if your employment status changes.
• Maintain adequate academic progress toward graduation/credit attainment. Share transcripts with program lead at the conclusion of each semester. 
• Participate in check-ins with Program Lead, as well as professional development or networking opportunities offered by Sourcewell in support of participants. 
• Maintain early and frequent communication with district and building leadership, especially regarding clinical experiences, up to and including student teaching. 
• Complete FAFSA annually. Students do not need to accept loans, but we ask that they accept all grants or scholarships to help stretch SPED Teacher Pathway dollars to serve as many participants as we can for as long as we can.  
• Notify SPED Teacher Pathway program lead immediately of any change in your student status.

Student Teaching Preparation 

Your university partner will arrange your student teaching placement. Regardless of the university partner, you may be required to hold liability insurance during your student teaching experience.  Check with your clinical supervisor if you have questions.

You can access free liability insurance through the following resources: 

• Council for Exceptional Children – Student Teacher Success Network Membership (6-month complimentary membership) 
• Education Minnesota – Aspiring Educator Membership 

Classroom Observation Hours 

Before student teaching, you will need to complete classroom observation hours. These hours are flexible and can often be completed while you’re working. It’s recommended to start these hours as early as possible when enrolled in a class that requires them, helping you avoid needing to take days off from work.  

Many students have successfully completed their observation hours by: 

• Swapping roles with colleagues in their district during observation times, with permission from building principal
• Utilizing before and after school hours 
• Making use of prep time 

If you encounter challenges or need additional support to complete these hours, please reach out to the SPED Teacher Pathway Program Lead or other grant staff to discuss your specific situation and find a solution.  

Minnesota Student Teaching Grant 

Additionally, there is a Minnesota Student Teaching Grant available to eligible students. This one-time grant requires the FAFSA or MN Dream Act to have been completed. It is strongly advised to complete the grant application at least one semester before student teaching. More information and the application can be found here.