CTA Classroom Setup Grant
Benefit Provided by The CTA Economic Benefits Trust (EBT)
Summary of Benefits
July 1, 2025

CTA Classroom Setup Grant is a special program for brand new educators to provide financial assistance towards the purchase of materials, resources, supplies, tools, and other educational instruments used by the educator to create and promote a positive learning environment in a classroom(s)/designated learning space(s). The program applies to Employment Start Dates on or after June 1, 2023.

Grant Details and Qualifications

Who is eligible?

There are three eligibility requirements:
  1. You must be a brand new Active Full-Time CTA Member in your first year of CTA membership who is a TK/ECE-14 classroom educator, including but not limited to virtual educators, special education educators, speech pathologists, or physical education.
  2. You must have joined CTA for the first time as a California educator within 12 months from your Employment Start Date.
  3. You must submit an application within 12 months from your Employment Start Date.

Who is not eligible?

  1. Education Support Professionals (ESPs), such as but not limited to office workers, bus drivers, food service workers, security personnel, custodians, and maintenance staff.*
  2. Retirees.
  3. Part-time educators.
  4. Educators who previously worked in education in the State of California.

    Exception: Individuals who previously held employment that did not meet all program eligibility requirements, and were therefore unable to apply at the time, may be considered eligible once they obtain a FT position that fully meets all current program criteria. Eligibility will be verified through the application process.
    Note: This exception does not apply to individuals who met all eligibility requirements during prior employment but chose not to apply, including those who were eligible but declined membership at that time and now wish to join for the purpose of program participation. It also does not apply to individuals hired before the program effective date of June 1, 2023.

  5. Educators who were previously CTA members

    Exception: This does not apply to individuals who were previously CTA members as Education Support Professionals (ESP) or Aspiring Educators and are now certificated educators who meet all current eligibility requirements. Prior membership in a non-eligible ESP or Aspiring Educator role will not disqualify individuals once they attain a qualifying position.

* Effective September 18, 2024, Notwithstanding the exclusion of Education Support Professionals (ESPs) from eligibility, an ESP member may qualify for the Classroom Setup Grant if they meet ALL the following conditions:

  1. The individual’s role involves providing instruction that necessitates the procurement of materials, supplies, tools, and other educational resources, all aimed at fostering and enhancing a positive learning environment within the classroom(s) or designated learning space(s) for their students.
  2. The individual meets all eligibility requirements as outlined in the grant criteria above.
Applications under all exceptions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

What is the amount of the grant?

  • The grant amount is $300. The amount is not to exceed total actual cost or expenses incurred.

What is the grant for?

  • This program provides a one-time grant to reimburse or to be solely used to assist new educators in purchasing materials, supplies, tools, and other educational instruments used by the educator to create and promote a positive learning environment in a classroom(s) or designated learning space(s) for their students.
  • The CTA Classroom Setup Grant payment is secondary and intended for expenses not compensated by existing classroom budget or funds through the district or other entities. A grant is available on a one-time need basis.

What is the filing deadline?

  • The filing deadline is 12 months from the Employment Start Date.
  • The CTA Classroom Setup Grant is a limited grant program, that may sunset once the allotted funds are utilized.

What if I provide inaccurate information on my application?

  • If the information you provide on the application or in response to the eligibility questions is inaccurate, your application may be denied and you may be required to repay the grant, if already issued.

Do I need to be a CTA member to qualify for the grant?

  • Yes, applicant must be a new and current CTA member.

Anything else I need to know?

  • By accepting, you attest to adhering to the outlined grant details.
CTA Classroom Setup Grant application can be found at CTAMemberBenefits.org/classroom.
If you have any questions, contact CTA Member Benefits Department at (650) 552-5200.

Personal Information
Eligibility
*  I confirm that I am a brand new Active full-time CTA member;
*  I confirm that this is my first year of full-time CTA Membership as a TK/ECE-14 Classroom Educator in the State of California, including but not limited to virtual educators, special education educators, speech pathologists, or physical education;
* Is this your first time being employed by a California school district?
   
If No, please explain (i.e. Part-Time Employee, Classified Employee, Part-Time Substitute, Student Teacher, etc.):
*  I confirm that I am filing within 12 months from my Employment Start Date;
*  I confirm that my first and only Employment Start Date is the date provided in the application;
*  I confirm that I am using the $300 grant for the purchase of materials, resources, supplies, tools, and/or other educational instruments to create and promote a positive learning environment in a classroom(s)/designated learning space(s);
*  I confirm that I am not an CTA/NEA-Retired member, or Part-Time Educator; and
*  I confirm my understanding that if the information I have confirmed above is determined to be inaccurate, my application may be denied and/or I may be required to repay the grant, if ineligibility is determined after issuance.
*  Are you an Education Support Professional (ESP) or Classified Employee?    
Most classroom educators and teachers are Certificated Employees, not ESP or Classified Employees
* Membership/Individual ID:
 
(If necessary, please contact CTA Membership Department
at (650) 552-5278 or membership@cta.org for your 10-digit CTA ID number.)
* First Name:
* Last Name:
* Address 1: (Payment will be sent to this Address)
Address 2:
* City:
* State:
* Zip:
* Email Address:
* Mobile Number:
Work Phone:
Employment Information
* School District:
* Employment Start Date:
* Job Title:
Local Information
Local Chapter:

Grant Request
$300

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct. I further understand that I will be responsible for any federal, state or local tax liability that may be associated with the grant upon approval and acceptance.

I confirm that I have used or will use the grant funds for the specified purposes of the CTA classroom setup grant program.

I will return any unused grant funds if the grant is prospective. I acknowledge that failure to use the funds for the specified purpose is a prohibited transaction that may subject myself to disgorgement (return of the grant funds) and IRS tax penalty.

I acknowledge that I understand that CTA may review records to ensure accuracy of the declaration, and that intentionally providing false information is a fraud against the Plan, and CTA reserves all rights in addressing fraud.





The program applies to Employment Start Dates on or after June 1, 2023.

Note: The filing deadline is 12 months from the Employment Start Date. Must be a new and current CTA member within 12 months of the Employment Start Date to qualify. The CTA Classroom Setup Grant payment is intended for expenses not compensated by existing classroom budget or funds through the district or other entities. Please contact the CTA Member Benefits Department if you do not receive a confirmation of receipt within 7 business days. Names and contact information for grant recipients may be shared with a grantee's local union representative(s) and/or CTA representative(s).