The Career-Readiness and Dual-Credit Education (CRDC) Grant Program provides grants for
a.) tuition and fees for teachers who are enrolled in graduate course work necessary to meet postsecondary institution requirements to teach college-level courses (dual credit),
b.) tuition and fees or related costs (e.g., testing and certification fees) incurred by teachers taking courses outside of a degree program to become qualified to teach career and technical education courses,
c.) tuition and fees or related costs (e.g., testing and certification fees) incurred by prospective teachers preparing for competency tests to become qualified to teach career and technical education courses, or
d.) tuition and fees incurred by college faculty to obtain a postsecondary teaching permit.
The CRDC Education Grant Program is not intended for college students enrolled in a teacher education program leading to an initial teaching certificate or currently certified teachers seeking graduate degrees or endorsements other than career and technical education supplemental endorsements. Such students and teachers may be served by the existing Attracting Excellence to Teaching and Enhancing Excellence in Teaching programs.
An eligible applicant will be one of the following:
1. A teacher currently employed by a high school who is pursuing graduate course work not leading directly to a graduate degree that will enable the teacher to be approved by a postsecondary institution to teach dual credit courses.
2. A teacher currently employed by a high school who is pursuing undergraduate or graduate coursework outside of a degree program that will enable the teacher to qualify for an initial or additional career education endorsement (including a supplemental endorsement) from the Department of Education or allow the teacher to expand career and technical education program offerings and course content options at their high school.
3. An instructor/faculty member currently employed by a postsecondary institution who is seeking a postsecondary teaching permit from the Department of Education. Instructors/faculty members whose postsecondary institutions offer the required human relations coursework at no cost are not eligible for an award.
4. An individual seeking to teach in a career and technical field who is sponsored by and will be employed by a high school or a two-year institution for the purpose of obtaining a career education teaching permit from the Department of Education or meeting institutional requirements.
- Applicants must choose from one of the education pathways listed in the Directory of Available Teacher Education Pathways. Priority areas listed in the Directory will receive preference.
- Grants are for tuition and fees for up to 18 graduate or undergraduate credit hours, depending on the teacher education pathway, or for the costs of preparation and competency testing for certifications leading to qualification to teacher career and technical education courses.
- Grants are limited to three courses per year and will cover actual tuition and fee charges or test preparation and examination fees not to exceed tuition and fees charged for online graduate courses at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Applications will open May 1 and close on June 15. As funds still remain after June 15, the Commission has extended the application period until all funds are obligated to awardees.
CRDC Grant Information
CRDC Grant Guidelines
CRDC Student Application
CRDC Directory of Available Teacher Education Pathways
For any questions regarding the CDRC Grant program, please contact Ritchie Morrow via email at Ritchie.Morrow@nebraska.gov or at 402-471-0032.