FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

We are recruiting two additional cohorts of scholars to begin the credential program in Fall 2027 and Fall 2028. Please see the Credential Program Application for information and deadlines to apply to the Education Specialist (special education) credential program.

Yes. Applicants from any state are encouraged to apply. However, our teacher preparation programs are not fully online and students will be expected to attend classes on campus.

Students who are awarded the SEEDS scholarship must fulfill a service obligation to the federal government by providing two years of direct or indirect service to students with disabilities for each year of funding received as defined by the federal service obligation. Students will have a window of 8 years to complete their service obligation. The timeline starts upon leaving CPP.

No. Scholars can fulfill the service obligation by working in any state. However, keep in mind that requirements for certification and licensure vary by state. Be sure to review the requirements in your home state to determine if completing the requirements for a CA credential or authorization will meet the certification and licensure standards of your home state. If not, you may need to complete additional courses or field experiences to supplement your CA preparation program which the grant funds would not cover.

Yes, as long as you are employed in a full-time role providing services to students with disabilities as defined by the federal service obligation, you may change districts. It will be the scholar’s responsibility each year to verify employment with the federal government through the Personnel Development Program Data Collection Center at https://pdp.ed.gov/OSEP.

This depends on the type of teaching credential. If you hold a multiple subject or single subject teaching credential, you may apply to the SEEDS Scholarship. Those seeking their first teaching credential will receive priority consideration. If you hold a preliminary or clear special education teaching credential, you are not eligible for the scholarship.

Yes. Students may attend the credential program on either a part-time (6 units) or full-time basis (up to 15 units) and still qualify for a SEEDS scholarship. However, funding will not be available beyond June 2030.

Scholars may be U.S. citizens or nationals, permanent residents of the U.S. Territories or Freely Associated States, or hold temporary legal status with the intention of staying in the U.S. permanently. Please contact a SEEDS Coordinator if you have additional questions.

The number of students will depend on the funding available for each year. We can select up to 25 students over the grant period. 

Yes, you would still be responsible to meet your service obligation once you are employed full-time. The service obligation is two years of direct or indirect service to students with disabilities as defined by the federal service obligation for each year of funding you received through June 2030, regardless of whether you completed the credential program during that time.

No matter how many students apply for SEEDS scholarships, applicants must meet minimum qualifications. The merits of their applications will be ranked based on scholarship scoring rubrics.

While you may be teaching in an internship position and qualify for a SEEDS scholarship, internships do not count towards your service obligation since they are part of the CPP teacher preparation program.

• SEEDS applications are due in May (actual date TBD).
  • The scholarship application might be due before you receive notification about being admitted to the credential program. We still encourage credential applicants to complete the SEEDS Scholarship application. 
• Applications are checked after the due date by the Bronco Scholarship Application system for eligibility.
• The Scholar Selection Committee reviews applications. Interviews with eligible candidates are arranged in June.
• A rubric is used to determine the top 8 applicants each recruitment year. 
• Those students will be sent an award offer letter to their official CPP email after interviews, with additional information about the federal service obligation agreements. 
• This award letter and the two (2) federal service obligation letters must be signed and returned before scholarship funds are released. Scholarship funds will be released before the tuition and fees deadline.

Special education teachers are generally in high demand. According to the National Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 37,100 openings for special education teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Median pay for special education teachers in 2025 was $67,170 per year. In California, the average salary of public school teachers in 2024–25 for the State of California was $103,552. Beginning teacher salaries range from $57,615 (small elementary district) to $68,972 (large high school district).