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Stipends

K-12 Instructional Personnel Literacy Matrix

Congratulations on successfully completing all Literacy Matrix Competencies 2-5 pathway for your Reading Endorsement! Complete the secure form below to facilitate payment of your $2,000 completion stipend. Please be sure to provide accurate information as soon as possible so your stipend can be processed quickly! 

All applications will be reviewed in the order they were received by our Stipends Processing Team to determine eligibility according to the requirements set by the Division of Early Learning (DEL) and FDOE (Florida Department of Education). Our team will reach out with next steps.

Stipend Eligibility

If you are not a K-12 Instructional Personnel*, you are not eligible for the stipend at this time.

Literacy Matrix Competencies 2-5 beginning on or after 7/1/2023

• Be a K-12 Instructional Personnel* 
• Be employed at a Local Educational Agency (LEA) public school or publicly funded charter school
• Hold a valid Florida Department of Education (FDOE) Professional Certificate (EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION)
• Apply for the Reading Endorsement with FDOE (apply as early as possible)
• Successfully begin and complete all Competencies 2-5 with UF Lastinger Center for Learning (Each competency must have begun on or after July 1, 2023, and be completed by June 16, 2024.)

* Instructional personnel as defined in s. 1012.01(2) 

Please note that only learners who completed Literacy Matrix Competency 2-5 with the Lastinger Center for Learning in the updated curriculum/standards may be eligible for a stipend; this only includes competencies with course dates that began after July 1, 2023. If you began competencies prior to July 1, 2023, or took competencies outside of the Literacy Matrix, please contact Lastinger Learning Services for information on enrolling.

Stipend Application Steps

Note: In some cases, stipend payment processing may take up to two months.

• Complete the K-12 Literacy Matrix Stipend Application and provide your pay slip for K-12 Instructional Personnel* 

• Stipends Team reviews and determines your eligibility (up to 3 weeks) 
• Application approval notice sent by Stipends Team 
• Stipend payment process begins (up to 4 weeks) 

Please note, learners must also apply for the Reading Endorsement with FDOE to be stipend eligible.

Payment Options

1. upupZelle transfer directly to your bank account (up to 2 weeks) ← fastest option!
   • • You must have access to a smartphone or to online banking through your financial institution to use this option.
     • Provide an email address or mobile number that’s already connected to your bank profile; or you can connect your bank account later with the mobile number or email address you provide and a debit card.
     • You will not be asked to share your banking information with UF.
     • Please follow all steps in the Zelle Guide for Stipend Payments.
2. Prepaid Visa debit card mailed to you (up to 4 weeks)
   • • An unloaded debit card will be mailed to you.
     • Upon receipt of the unloaded debit card, contact stipends@coe.ufl.edu and request to have stipend funds loaded to your card.
     • UF will add the stipend funds to the card.
     • Use the card anywhere that accepts a Visa credit or debit card.

Stipends Application and Employment Verification

All applications will be reviewed in the order received by our Stipends Processing Team for eligibility determination according to the requirements set by Division of Early Learning (DEL) and FDOE. Our team will then reach out with next steps. 

At the end of the application, you must upload your most recent pay slip as verification of your employment at a K-12 Local Educational Agency (LEA) public school or publicly funded charter school. 

Contact your supervisor or school administration, if you need help downloading your paystub.
Recommended paystub file types: PDF, PNG, JPG. 

To be eligible for the stipend, you must complete all competencies and submit your application by June 16, 2024.

Remember to apply for the Reading Endorsement with Florida Department of Education Bureau of Educator Certification as early as possible; it is a requirement before stipend distribution can occur. Educators who already hold a Reading Endorsement from the past are not stipend eligible and only those who hold a valid Florida Department of Education (FDOE) Professional Certificate (EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION) that can have the reading endorsement added are stipend eligible. This means that exchange teacher certification holders, some temporary certificate holders, district certification holders, and others may not be eligible for the stipend; for questions about adding the reading endorsement please contact FDOE’s Bureau of Educator Certification.

By completing the application, you agree to the terms of payment and affirm eligibility upon completion of all requirements, aiding in verifying your eligibility, and that your employer must be eligible at the time of completion (Local Educational Agency (LEA) public school or publicly funded charter school).