Agency Gets Thousands Of Requests For Teacher Stipends

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania state agency has received thousands of applications for the state’s first-ever student-teacher stipends, many times more than the available stipends approved by lawmakers as a way to help end a teacher shortage. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency reported receiving 3,000 applications by 11 a.m. Thursday, just two hours after the window for applications opened. The $10 million approved by lawmakers for stipends last year, however, is only expected to serve about 650 student-teachers. Lawmakers created a program to give a stipend of at least $15,000 or $10,000, depending on the district. Stipend recipients must commit to teaching in Pennsylvania for three years.