Administration of the “Parapipeline” Conditional Loan has transferred to the Washington Student Achievement Council. PESB no longer accepts applications for conditional loans. Please visit their website for conditional loan details or email teachers@wsac.wa.gov for questions.
This conditional loan scholarship provides financial support to seasoned paraeducators looking to obtain an Associate of Arts degree in order to pursue residency teacher certification.
What is the parapipeline conditional loan?
About the parapipeline conditional loan
The parapipeline conditional loan supports Washington State classified instructional staff with at least three years of classroom experience to obtain an Associate of Arts (AA) degree in order to qualify for, enroll in, and complete a residency teaching certificate at a two-year Alternative Route 1 program. Conditional loan scholarship funds are awarded in exchange for two years of teaching service.
Recipients of the conditional loan are awarded up to $4,000. The funds can be used for:
- Educational expenses for the AA degree, such as tuition for coursework and other educational expenses (e.g., books, supplies, transportation).
Funding is dependent upon annual budget appropriations from the Washington State Legislature. The state laws establishing this conditional loan include the RCWs on the pipeline for paraeducators conditional scholarship program and conditional scholarship programs.
Am I eligible to apply?
Eligibility requirements
No college degree
- You must not currently hold a college degree (AA or beyond).
Employment status and history
- You must be currently employed as a classified instructional staff member.
- You must have a minimum of three years of experience as a classified instructional staff with successful student interaction and leadership.
If selected, you will be required to provide district or building verification for these qualifications.
AA degree is awarded from a community or technical college
- You must pursue your AA degree at a Washington community or technical college.
- You must complete the degree in two years or less from the date of first award disbursement by the college.
Intention to pursue residency certificate through an Alternative Route 1 program
After earning your AA degree, you must plan to pursue a residency teaching certificate through an Alternative Route 1 program with an endorsement in a subject matter shortage area, including the following:
- Bilingual Education
- Computer Science Education
- Early Childhood Education
- Elementary Education
- English Language Learner
- Environmental and Sustainability Education
- Mathematics
- Science
- Special Education
No existing service obligations
- You are not eligible for the conditional loan if you have an unsatisfied teaching service obligation for a previously received conditional loan scholarship. You must first fulfill that teaching obligation or repay the remaining portion to WSAC prior to applying for the parapipeline conditional loan.
What should I know as a conditional loan applicant?
Applicant guidelines and requirements
- Conditional loans will not be awarded for degrees that have already been completed.
- The AA degree must be direct transfer and obtained through a community or technical college.
Awarding preferences
The following candidates will be given preference based on state law:
- Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces; and
- National Guard members.
What should I know as a conditional loan recipient?
Recipient guidelines and requirements
The parapipeline conditional loan scholarship is a loan that the state will forgive in exchange for a two-year teaching service obligation. Funds are distributed through the community or technical college to the recipient following the terms outlined in the Promissory Note (see “How do I apply?”).
Conditions for the loan obligation include:
- Complete the requirements of the AA degree within two years;
- Complete the entire teaching service obligation within the allowable timeframe (see Promissory Note);
- After obtaining teacher certification, teach in the subject matter or geographic shortage area of the Alternative Route 1 endorsement; and
- Teach in a Washington State K-12 public school.
The Promissory Note includes further necessary details about the teaching service obligation, in order to earn loan forgiveness and avoid repayment of the remaining loan principal, interest, and fees. Contact WSAC directly with questions regarding loan forgiveness.
When should I apply?
Application timeline and deadlines
Applicants should apply for the conditional loan when your degree program is underway or will start in the near future, with the understanding that you must complete the AA degree within two years of the initial award distribution date. Candidates who don’t complete their program within two years run the risk of loan repayment.
Please visit the WSAC website for conditional loan details.
How do I apply?
Application instructions
Please visit the WSAC website for conditional loan details.
Have questions?
- Please contact Teachers@WSAC.wa.gov.
