Are you a paraprofessional in the NYC Public School system looking to advance your career in education? The Career Training Program (CTP) offers a fantastic opportunity for eligible UFT paraprofessionals to earn their first Bachelor’s degree, tuition-free. This program is designed to support your professional growth while you continue to work in your current role. Discover career training programs near you and take the next step in your educational journey.
The Career Training Program (CTP) is specifically designed for dedicated paraprofessionals like you, providing tuition assistance for undergraduate studies at participating colleges and universities. This program covers 3 to 6 credits per semester, making higher education accessible and affordable. For those enrolled in five (5) or more credit hours, the program also offers two and a half (2.5) hours of Release Time per week to focus on studies. Additionally, participants can apply for a Summer Stipend to further support their academic pursuits. It’s important to note that paraprofessionals are responsible for independently researching, applying to, and enrolling in a participating accredited institution.
Eligibility Requirements for Career Training Programs
To be considered eligible for the CTP Program and access these valuable career training resources, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Full-Time Paraprofessional Status: Applicants must be employed as full-time paraprofessionals within the NYC public school system.
- Current Payroll Status: You must be actively payrolled as a full-time paraprofessional when submitting your application and maintain this status throughout the application school year.
- Degree Program Matriculation: Candidates are required to provide proof of matriculation into a degree-bearing program after accumulating 45 credits. This ensures the program supports focused academic advancement.
- Exclusion of Substitute Paraprofessionals: Please note that Substitute Paraprofessionals are not eligible for participation in the CTP Program.
- Credit Limit: The Career Training Program provides funding for up to 120 credits towards your first Bachelor’s degree. Exceptions to this credit limit are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. It is important to understand that this 120-credit limit encompasses all credits, including transfer credits and credits earned prior to program enrollment. For instance, if you enter the program with existing credits, the program will cover the remaining credits up to the 120-credit maximum.
- Minimum GPA Requirement: A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 is required for program eligibility.
- Maintaining Academic Standards: Participants must maintain a minimum “C” grade point average (2.0) to remain eligible throughout their participation in the program. Falling below this GPA will result in ineligibility for the CTP Voucher.
- Course Grade Policy: The NYC Public Schools will not provide funding for courses with failing grades (“F”), late withdrawals, or unofficial withdrawals. Paraprofessionals are financially responsible for these courses.
- Financial Responsibility for Ineligible Participants: Should a paraprofessional become ineligible for the Career Training Program, they will be responsible for all subsequent course credits, tuition, and associated fees.
Financial Aid and Tuition Coverage for Career Training
Understanding the financial aspects of career training programs is crucial. For paraprofessionals who qualify for the Federal Pell Grant or the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) grant, these financial aid options will be applied to cover tuition-related expenses first. The participating college or university will then bill the NYC Public Schools for any remaining tuition balance not covered by these grants.
It’s important to be aware that the NYCPS funding specifically covers tuition costs. The NYCPS does not cover expenses for course materials or any additional fees levied by the college or university. This includes, but is not limited to, activity fees, application fees, technology fees, and other miscellaneous charges. These supplementary costs are the responsibility of the participating paraprofessional. Careful budgeting and financial planning are advised to account for these additional expenses.
Application Deadlines for Career Training Program
To ensure you don’t miss out on the opportunity to enroll in career training programs, take note of the application availability for each semester:
- Fall Semester: Application period opens from May 1st through June 30th.
- Spring Semester: Application period opens from September 1st through October 31st.
- Summer Semester: Application period opens from February 1st through March 31st.
Crucially, an application must be submitted for each semester (Fall, Spring, and Summer) you wish to participate. Vouchers are semester-specific, and unused vouchers cannot be carried over to previous or future semesters. Planning ahead and applying within the correct application window is essential to benefit from the CTP each semester.
| Quick Links & Resources | Access Information |
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| CTP Fact Sheet | Click Here |
| CTP FAQ Document | Click Here |
| CTP UFT Paraprofessional Release Time Memo | Click Here |
| CTP DC-37 Paraprofessional Release Time Memo | Click Here |
| CTP Brochure | Click Here |
| Approved Colleges and Universities | Click Here |
| Summer Stipend Fact Sheet | Click Here |
| Summer Stipend Application | Click Here |
| CTP Voucher – University/College Name Change Form | Click Here |
| CTP Sample Confirmation Email | Click Here |
Important Updates for Applicants:
- Email Address Requirement: To ensure timely receipt of your email confirmation and voucher, it is mandatory to use your official NYCPS email address when applying. The Teacher Support Network (TSN) system no longer accepts applications from personal email domains.
- Voucher College/University Changes: To request an update or change to the college or university name on your voucher, you must download and submit the CTP Voucher – University/College Name Change Form (linked above). Please allow a processing time of 48 hours for these requests.
- Application Confirmation: Applicants should expect to receive a confirmation email within 24-48 hours of submitting their Career Training Program application. If you do not receive a confirmation email within this timeframe, it indicates that your application was not successfully submitted, and you will need to re-apply.
| Ready to Apply? |
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| APPLY HERE |
For detailed, step-by-step guidance on completing your voucher application, please refer to the comprehensive CTP Application Guide.
Should you require any further assistance or have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the program administrators via email at [email protected] or by phone at (718) 935-2449.
Additional Career Advancement Programs for Paraprofessionals
Beyond the Career Training Program, NYC Public Schools offer several other pathways for paraprofessionals to grow professionally and advance their careers in education. Here’s a brief overview of additional programs:
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, an essential step towards teacher certification. Recognizing that some institutions may not accept paraprofessional work in lieu of formal student teaching, this leave program facilitates the completion of this crucial requirement. The number of leaves granted per year is limited, with 50 allocated for the fall and 50 for the spring semesters, and requires a competitive application process.
| Student Teaching Leave of Absence Program Overview | Click here |
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Application Windows:
Fall Application: July 1st – October 1st
Spring Application: December 1st – March 1st (Application currently CLOSED due to reaching the application cap).
Eligibility for Student Teaching Leave:
- Employment History: Applicants must be full-time, active employees with a minimum of one (1) full school year of service as a paraprofessional (substitute paraprofessional service does not count).
- Current Payroll Status: Maintain full-time paraprofessional payroll status at application and throughout the application school year.
- Academic Standing: A minimum GPA of 2.5 in the program of study is required.
- Enrollment in NYSED-Approved Program: Enrollment in a New York State Education Department (NYSED) approved program leading to NYS teaching certification is mandatory. Note specific restrictions for online and out-of-state colleges; programs must be officially approved by NYSED to be eligible.
Eligibility Categories:
- Category A: Paraprofessionals with an education degree (undergraduate or graduate) lacking student teaching for certification recommendation.
- Category B: Paraprofessionals in a Master’s degree program for initial certification needing student teaching.
- Category C: Paraprofessionals in an undergraduate program for initial certification needing student teaching.
Program Restrictions:
- Application documents must be submitted at least four (4) weeks before the requested leave date.
- Limited annual application windows in fall and spring.
- Leave priority based on need, favoring those already graduated from teacher education programs.
- The 40-day leave is a one-time opportunity.
- For extended leave beyond 40 days, apply for unpaid leave via the SOE SOLAS system.
- Leave is exclusively for student teaching towards initial teacher certification, not for non-teaching positions.
| Apply for Student Teaching Leave |
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| SUBMIT button (on application form, linked in program overview document) |
For inquiries about the Student Teaching Leave of Absence Program, contact [email protected] or call (718) 935-2449.
Paraprofessional to Teacher Pathway Graduate Reimbursement Program
This program supports paraprofessionals pursuing graduate education to become certified teachers by offering reimbursement for up to twelve (12) graduate credits. New York State certification must be obtained after September 1st of the application year to qualify, and adherence to specific application procedures is required.
| Para to Teacher Pathway Graduate Reimbursement Program Information | Click here |
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Application Availability: Annually, February 1st — March 31st
Eligibility for Graduate Reimbursement:
- Matriculation in NYS-approved graduate education program for teacher certification.
- Completion of twelve (12) graduate credits applicable to the program.
- Minimum one (1) full year of paid paraprofessional experience in NYC Public Schools.
- Current full-time paraprofessional payroll status at application and throughout the school year.
- Reimbursable coursework must be part of a master’s degree in a classroom teaching discipline leading to NYS certification.
- Ineligible programs include non-classroom disciplines like guidance counseling or social work.
- Coursework must have a grade of “B” or better to qualify for reimbursement.
Program Restrictions:
- Reimbursement at the current CUNY graduate tuition rate.
- Non-teacher education disciplines are ineligible.
- Ineligible disciplines include Guidance Counselors, Psychologists, Social Workers, Attendance Teachers, and Speech Pathologists.
- Pre-requisite coursework and courses taken before program admission are not reimbursable.
- Release time for graduate credits is not provided.
- Reimbursement is only for courses required for Initial certification.
- Other financial aid is prioritized for tuition expenses; NYCPS covers the remaining tuition balance.
- Reimbursement checks must be picked up in person at the Office of Scholarships, Incentives, and Pupil Personnel Services in Brooklyn, NY, with photo ID.
| Apply for Graduate Reimbursement |
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| APPLY HERE |
For further details, contact [email protected] or (718) 935-2449.
Paraprofessional Certification Testing Reimbursement Program
NYCPS offers a one-time reimbursement of up to $400.00 for state teacher certificate application and NYS certification exams for eligible paraprofessionals aspiring to become NYCPS educators.
| Certification Testing Reimbursement Program Overview | Click Here |
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| Paraprofessional Certification Reimbursement Application | Click Here |
Application Availability: Annually, March 1st – April 30th
Eligibility for Testing Reimbursement:
- NYS teacher certification attained on or after September 1st of the application year.
- Receipts for NYS Examinations and NYS Teacher Application.
- Reimbursement requests must be made within one year of certification.
Required Documentation:
- Certification Testing Reimbursement Program Application.
- NYS Teacher Application and NYS Examination receipts.
- Proof of passing certification examinations.
For more information, email [email protected] or call (718) 935-2449.
Lead Teacher Assistant (LTA) / Bilingual Lead Teacher Assistant (BLTA) Positions
These annual positions offer experienced paraprofessionals opportunities for expanded classroom roles, supporting instruction under teacher supervision. LTAs enhance their skills and explore a potential teaching career pathway, with eligible full-time paraprofessionals receiving up to $5,000 in additional compensation annually.
| LTA/BLTA Position Posting | Click Here |
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| Apply for LTA/BLTA Position |
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| APPLY HERE |
Application Availability: Annually, January 1 – March 31
Eligibility for LTA/BLTA Positions:
- Bachelor’s degree at the time of application.
- Active NYS Teacher Assistant Certificate (Level I, II, or III).
- Submission of transcripts and Teaching Assistant Certificate copy.
- One (1) year of full-time paraprofessional service at NYCDOE.
- Satisfactory attendance and punctuality record.
- Bilingual LTA applicants must demonstrate high language proficiency in the required language.
For inquiries about LTA/BLTA positions, contact [email protected] or 718-935-2449.
Conclusion: Take the Next Step in Your Education Career
Investing in your career in education is a rewarding path. These career training programs and advancement opportunities offered by NYC Public Schools are designed to support dedicated paraprofessionals like you in achieving your professional goals. Explore the programs that align with your aspirations, check your eligibility, and take advantage of these incredible resources to further your career in education. Your journey to becoming a teacher or advancing your role in education starts here.
