This program provides eligible public school employees with a stipend payment from the State that can be applied toward their student loans.  Educators are eligible to apply if they have a qualified student loan and teach on a standard certificate that is active in DEEDS.  Educators must teach in a high-needs Delaware public school and/or a high-needs subject area, (listed below).

The table below outlines the Teacher Shortage Certification Areas for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Subject Area Certifications
Bilingual 1561 Bilingual Teacher
English Language Learner 1562 Teacher of English Learners
Immersion (Elementary/World language) 1565 World Language Teacher

1521 Elementary Teachers (only if seeking Immersion position with demonstrated language proficiency).
Mathematics Education 1532 Middle-Level Mathematics Teacher
1542 Secondary Mathematics Teacher
Science Education 1533 Middle-Level Science Teacher
1543 Secondary Science Teacher
Special Education (All Areas) 1570 Early Childhood Exceptional Children Special Education Teacher
1571 Special Education Teacher of Students with Disabilities
1573 Teacher of Students with Autism or with Severe Intellectual Disabilities
1574 Teacher of Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
1575 Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments
Skilled & Technical Sciences Teacher (Restaurants/Food/Beverage Services) 1559 Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher with

  • Culinary & Hospitality Management
  • Cooking & Related Culinary Arts
Skilled & Technical Sciences Teacher (Construction) 1559 Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher with

  • Carpenter
  • Electrician
  • Welding Technician
  • Masonry
Skilled & Technical Sciences Teacher (Therapeutic Services) 1559 Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher with

  • Allied Health
  • Dental Assistant
  • Nurse Assistant/Assisting
Education Specialist Areas
School Counselor
School Nurse
School Psychologist
School Social Worker
Speech-Language Pathologist

View the list of eligible High Need Schools in Delaware.

In Delaware, public schools are classified as high-needs schools if they maintain a student population in the top quartile of the state’s elementary or secondary schools in three or more of the following areas:

  • Percent of low-income students,
  • Percent of English learner (EL) students,
  • Percent of students with disabilities (SWD), or
  • Percent of underrepresented minority students, or if the school has more than 90% of their students classified as low-income, EL, or underrepresented minority.

Please note: Delaware high-needs schools may differ from Title I schools. Title I is a federal designation that provides funds to districts and charter schools with high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families.

Application Timeline

The next application cycle is anticipated to open on December 1, 2025. Please check back at that time to access the application.

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