Paraprofessional to Teacher Reimbursement Grant Round 5
Paraprofessional to Teacher Reimbursement Grant Round 5 supports former Georgia paraprofessionals by reimbursing initial teacher certification costs to strengthen recruitment in public schools.
Funder: Georgia Department of Education
Due Dates: December 31, 2026 (February board review) | July 31, 2027 (September board review)
Funding Amounts: Up to $5,000 per candidate; maximum statewide funding of $5,000,000
Summary: Reimburses eligible former paraprofessionals for documented costs of earning initial teacher certification through an approved GaTAPP program.
Key Information: Only Georgia LEAs may apply on candidates’ behalf; reimbursement follows program completion and expense verification.
Description
The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) offers the Paraprofessional to Teacher Reimbursement Grant to strengthen teacher recruitment in Georgia local educational agencies (LEAs) and Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Support (GNETS) programs. Administered by Educator Support and Development within the Office of Teaching and Learning, it supports former paraprofessionals pursuing initial certification through the Georgia Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy (GaTAPP).
The program supports a “Grow Your Own” approach by helping existing school employees transition into certified teaching roles. It addresses certification costs that can prevent paraprofessionals from advancing and encourages candidates to remain in Georgia’s public school system. Funding reimburses candidates’ actual certification expenses through their employing LEAs rather than supporting separate research or broader education projects.
