Grow Your Own
North Dakota's Grow Your Own initiative helps school employees become licensed teachers or earn special education endorsements while working, through supported pathways like PTP, RAP-T, and traineeship scholarships.
Funder: North Dakota State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Due Dates: November 7, 2025 (Spring 2026) | March 6, 2026 (Summer 2026) | July 3, 2026 (Fall 2026)
Funding Amounts: Up to $20,000 per participant for tuition (max per-credit reimbursement: $370–$380); scholarships/traineeships and program funding typically last up to 3 years or until completion.
Summary: Supports North Dakota paraprofessionals and educators to earn teaching degrees or special education endorsements while working in their home districts.
Key Information: Multiple pathways: Para-to-Teacher (PTP), Registered Apprenticeship (RAP-T), and Traineeship Scholarships; eligibility and benefits vary by pathway.
Description
North Dakota's Grow Your Own initiative is a comprehensive set of programs aimed at addressing the state's teacher shortage by supporting current school employees—especially paraprofessionals and educators—to become licensed teachers or earn additional endorsements. The initiative allows participants to remain employed in their local school districts while pursuing teaching credentials, providing financial support for tuition, fees, and in some cases, course materials. Multiple program pathways exist, including the Para-to-Teacher Program (PTP), Registered Apprenticeship Program in Teaching (RAP-T), and the Traineeship Scholarship for special education endorsements.
