Are you a dedicated paraprofessional in the New York City Public School system looking to advance your career in education? The Career Training Program (CTP) offers a remarkable opportunity for eligible paraprofessionals to pursue their first Bachelor’s degree. This program is designed to support your educational aspirations by covering tuition costs for undergraduate study at participating colleges and universities.
The CTP program provides tuition coverage for 3 to 6 credits per semester, specifically designed to be manageable alongside your responsibilities as a paraprofessional. Furthermore, participants enrolled in five (5) or more credit hours are granted two and a half (2.5) hours of paid release time per week to dedicate to their studies. For those looking to accelerate their progress, a Summer Stipend is also available to support study during the summer semester. It’s important to note that while the program provides significant financial and time support, paraprofessionals are responsible for the research, application, and enrollment process at an approved participating institution.
CTP Eligibility: Are You Qualified?
To take advantage of this valuable career training program, candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria. Carefully review the requirements below to determine if you qualify for the Career Training Program:
- Full-Time Paraprofessional Status: Applicants must be employed as a full-time paraprofessional within a NYC public school.
- Payroll Status: You must be officially payrolled as a full-time paraprofessional at the time of application and maintain this status throughout the application school year.
- No Prior Bachelor’s Degree: This program is specifically for paraprofessionals who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree.
- Matriculation Requirement: Candidates must demonstrate proof of mandatory matriculation into a degree-bearing program upon completion of 45 credits. This ensures the program supports focused degree completion.
- Exclusion of Substitute Paraprofessionals: Substitute paraprofessionals are not eligible to participate in the CTP Program.
- Credit Limit: The Career Training Program covers up to a maximum of 120 credits towards your first Bachelor’s degree. Exceptions to this limit are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. It’s crucial to understand that this 120-credit limit includes any transfer credits or credits earned before joining the program.
- Minimum GPA: A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 is required for program eligibility.
- Maintaining Academic Standing: Participants must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 (“C” average) throughout their participation in the program to remain eligible. Falling below this GPA will result in ineligibility for the CTP Voucher.
- Course Grade Requirements: The NYC Public Schools will not cover courses with failing grades (“F”), late withdrawals, or unofficial withdrawals. Paraprofessionals are financially responsible for these courses.
- Financial Responsibility for Ineligible Participants: If a paraprofessional becomes ineligible for the Career Training Program, they assume full financial responsibility for all course credits, tuition, and associated fees incurred thereafter.
Understanding Financial Aid and CTP Coverage
The Career Training Program works in conjunction with other forms of financial aid to maximize support for paraprofessionals. Here’s how financial aid interacts with the CTP:
- Coordination with Federal and State Grants: Financial aid, such as the Federal Pell Grant or the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) grant, will be applied first to cover tuition expenses.
- NYCPS Coverage of Remaining Tuition: The NYC Public Schools will then be billed directly by the college or university for the remaining tuition balance after financial aid is applied.
- Expenses Not Covered: It is important to be aware that the NYCPS does not cover the costs of course materials, textbooks, or other fees charged by the college or university.
- Responsibility for Additional Fees: Paraprofessionals are responsible for activity fees, application fees, technology fees, and any other miscellaneous fees imposed by the institution. Budget accordingly for these additional costs.
Application Schedule: Key Dates to Remember
To participate in the Career Training Program, timely application submission is crucial. Take note of the application availability periods for each semester:
- Fall Semester: Applications are accepted from May 1st through June 30th.
- Spring Semester: The application window is from September 1st through October 31st.
- Summer Semester: Applications are open from February 1st through March 31st.
Important Application Notes:
- A separate application is required for each semester (Fall, Spring, and Summer) you wish to participate.
- Unused vouchers are not transferable and cannot be applied to previous or future semesters. Plan your course enrollment carefully for each semester.
For detailed guidance on applying for the Career Training Program Voucher, refer to the comprehensive CTP Application Guide.
Upon successful submission of your application, you will receive an email confirmation. If you do not receive a confirmation email within 24-48 hours, it indicates that your application was not properly submitted, and you will need to re-apply.
For any further inquiries or if you require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact the Career Training Program team via email at [email protected] or by phone at (718) 935-2449.
Explore Further Career Advancement Opportunities
Beyond the Career Training Program, NYC Public Schools offer additional pathways for paraprofessionals to advance their careers in education. Explore these related programs to see if they align with your professional goals:
Paraprofessional Student Teaching Leave of Absence Program
This program provides eligible paraprofessionals with up to 40 days of paid leave to fulfill student teaching requirements, a crucial step towards teacher certification. This leave accommodates situations where colleges do not accept paraprofessional work experience in lieu of formal student teaching. There is a limit of 100 leaves per year (50 each for fall and spring), and application approval is required before commencing leave.
Student Teaching Leave of Absence Program Overview
Application Availability:
- Fall Application: July 1st – October 1st
- Spring Application: December 1st – March 1st (Application currently CLOSED)
Eligibility Highlights:
- Minimum one full school year as a full-time paraprofessional.
- Minimum 2.5 GPA in program of study.
- Enrollment in a NYSED-approved teacher certification program.
- Categorization based on education level and certification needs (Category A, B, C as described in the original document).
Paraprofessional to Teacher Pathway Graduate Reimbursement Program
For paraprofessionals pursuing a graduate degree in education, this program offers reimbursement for up to 12 graduate credits upon achieving New York State teacher certification. This program supports paraprofessionals in advancing to teaching roles by offsetting the costs of graduate-level coursework.
Para to Teacher Pathway Graduate Reimbursement Program Information
Application Availability:
- Annually: February 1st – March 31st
Eligibility Highlights:
- Matriculation in a NYS-approved graduate education program.
- Completion of at least 12 graduate credits.
- Minimum one full year of paid experience as a NYCPS paraprofessional.
- Coursework must be part of a master’s degree in a classroom teaching discipline leading to NYS certification.
Paraprofessional Certification Testing Reimbursement Program
NYCPS offers a one-time reimbursement of up to $400 for state teacher certificate application and NYS certification exams. This program aims to alleviate the financial burden associated with obtaining teacher certification for eligible paraprofessionals.
Certification Testing Reimbursement Program Overview
Paraprofessional Certification Reimbursement Application
Application Availability:
- Annually: March 1st – April 30th
Eligibility Highlights:
- NYS teacher certification attained on or after September 1st of the application year.
- Receipts for NYS Examinations and NYS Teacher Application.
- Reimbursement request within one year of certification.
Lead Teacher Assistant (LTA) / Bilingual Lead Teacher Assistant (BLTA)
The Lead Teacher Assistant position offers an opportunity for experienced paraprofessionals with a Bachelor’s degree and Teacher Assistant Certification to take on expanded classroom roles. LTAs provide instructional support under teacher supervision and receive additional compensation. This position serves as a stepping stone for paraprofessionals considering a teaching career.
Application Availability:
- Annually: January 1st – March 31st
Eligibility Highlights:
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- NYS Teacher Assistant Certificate (Level I, II, or III).
- One year of full-time paraprofessional experience at NYCDOE.
By leveraging these career training and advancement programs, NYC Public Schools are invested in supporting paraprofessionals in their professional growth and in building a stronger, more qualified educator workforce. Take the next step in your career journey today!
