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The grant program, which has distributed over $570 million since 2020-21, appears to be making a significant dent in the state's persistent teacher shortage. Nearly half of California's new teacher candidates received the grant in 2023-24 when it became available to all candidates.
"The GSTG is a popular program that has supported over 28,000 aspiring educators," the report states. The number of recipients increased annually from 2020-21 through 2023-24 as eligibility expanded and awareness grew.
The program likely contributed to a 23% jump in preliminary teaching credentials issued to California-prepared candidates between 2022-23 and 2023-24, researchers found.
The grant has been particularly effective at supporting candidates from backgrounds underrepresented in teaching. Nearly four in five recipients were income-eligible for federal Pell Grants, indicating significant financial need—far higher than the one-third of California undergraduates who received Pell Grants in 2022-23.
More than 70% of surveyed recipients identified as people of color, and these candidates were especially likely to report the grant influenced their decision to pursue teaching and work in high-need schools.
"Nearly three quarters of survey respondents said the GSTG was influential in their decision to pursue teaching, and two thirds said the grant was influential in their decision to teach in a high-need school," according to the report.
Over half of recipients were over age 30, suggesting the program is attracting career changers who might not have considered teaching otherwise.
However, a policy change has significantly weakened the program's effectiveness. In July 2024, the maximum grant amount was cut from $20,000 to $10,000 as funding ran short.
The original $20,000 award covered an average of 80% of recipients' unmet financial needs. Under the reduced $10,000 cap, only 47% of unmet needs are covered, forcing more candidates to rely on loans or work during their preparation.
"Before the GSTG, we had 70% of our students taking out $20,000 or $30,000 [in loans] on average. When the GSTG was at $20,000, that covered almost all of tuition," one education preparation program leader explained in the report. "The number of students needing to borrow loans dropped to 10–15%. ... It's been a huge game changer."
Nearly 60% of survey respondents said they would have taken out more student loans without the grant, and 42% indicated they would not have been able to finish their preparation.
Survey results show the program is successfully directing teachers to high-need schools and shortage subject areas. Among respondents currently teaching, 88% reported working at a priority school—defined as having at least 55% of students who are English learners, eligible for free or reduced-price meals, or living in foster care.
Nearly all of these teachers said they plan to remain at their schools after fulfilling their service obligations.
Recipients also reported teaching in shortage areas at high rates: 38% in special education, 33% in mathematics, and 30% in science.
The program received $50 million in new funding in the 2025-26 budget, but given that nearly 7,500 candidates received the grant in 2024-25, researchers warn this may be insufficient to meet current demand at the $10,000 maximum award level.
"Stable long-term funding will allow the GSTG to continue making a strong contribution to California's supply of fully prepared educators," the report states.
The study recommends policymakers ensure stable funding, benchmark awards to cover a substantial portion of preparation costs, support program implementation in the field, and strengthen data collection to better evaluate long-term impacts.
