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Scholarships and Grants
![Financial aid graphic](../../../_media-library/_images/about-the-school/teachers-of-color/financial-aid-minnesota.jpg)
The Collaborative Urban and Greater Minnesota Educators of Color (CUGMEC) Scholarship Program is a public/private partnership between the University of St. Thomas and the state of Minnesota.
CUGMEC Scholarship
![Grants for Minnesota Education graphic](../../../_media-library/_images/about-the-school/teachers-of-color/grant-minnesota-education.jpg)
OSEP Grants
The University of St. Thomas received a Personnel Preparation in Special Education grant from the U.S. Department of Education - Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). This program is for students working toward a license in early childhood special education or a master's degree in social work.
Minnesota’s teacher workforce remains steady, with 95.7% of all public school teachers identifying as white, while 33.5% of students in Minnesota public schools are students of color and indigenous students. African American students who have had at least one African American teacher by third grade are 13% more likely to enroll in college – and those who have had two were 32% more likely.
2019 Minnesota Teacher Supply and Demand Report
Experience in The Schools
Our students learn and grow at St. Thomas and where they'll be teaching - in area classrooms.
![Two teachers co-teaching in front of class](../../../_media-library/_images/about-the-school/teachers-of-color/teachers-co-teaching.jpg)
St. Paul Public Schools Urban Teacher Residency (SUTR)
Participants co-teach with an experienced teacher for one academic year to prepare for their career in St. Paul Public Schools.
SUTR Residency
![Teacher working one-on-one with a student](../../../_media-library/_images/about-the-school/teachers-of-color/teacher-working-with-student.jpg)
Minneapolis St. Thomas Residency (MSTR)
We prepare effective and diverse special education and elementary teachers for opportunities to change lives in Minneapolis Public Schools.
MSTR Residency
![Teacher standing in library with a book in hand](../../../_media-library/_images/about-the-school/teachers-of-color/teacher-in-library-with-book.jpg)
Work & Learn Program
The Work and Learn program recruits, prepares, retains and supports highly qualified paraprofessionals and effective Tier 2 teachers from underrepresented backgrounds in Twin Cities metro school districts. This program prepares them to be special education teachers.
Work and Learn