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Stipends

Literacy Matrix

Congratulations on successfully completing all Competencies 2-5 of the Literacy Matrix 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 Financial Services Team to determine eligibility according to the requirements.

Stipend Eligibility

Instructional personnel as defined in s. 1012.01(2), F.S., and Administrative personnel as defined in s. 1012.01(3)(a) and (3)(c), F.S., who work at an LEA public school or school district.

Hold a valid Florida Department of Education (FDOE) Professional Certificate (EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION).

Apply for the Reading Endorsement with FDOE (apply as early as possible) and must be verified in FDOE application data.

• • Limited to only those able to add the Reading Endorsement. 
  • Not previously endorsed in reading. 
  • Valid Florida Educator Certification is required. 
  • Must be verified in FDOE application data.

Successfully Complete Competencies 2-5 through the Lastinger Center Literacy Matrix. 

• • At least one Literacy Matrix competency (1-5) completed after July 1, 2024. 
  • Complete on or before April 28, 2025 (official course end dates).  
  • All Literacy Matrix Competencies 2-5 must have officially begun after July 1, 2023, in the updated curriculum and standards.

Submit stipend application to Lastinger Center and apply for the Reading Endorsement with FDOE within 30 days of course completion and no later than June 1, 2025, whichever comes first.

• • Not previously endorsed in reading. 
  • Valid Florida Educator Certification. 
  • Must be verified in FDOE application data.

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

Applications for Literacy Matrix stipends for programs completed between July 1, 2024 and April 28, 2025.

Important – if you have not yet successfully applied for your Reading Endorsement with FDOE, please do so.

• Learners must apply within 30 days of completing Competencies 2-5 of the Literacy Matrix; the application for stipend will close at midnight on June 1, 2025.
• All submissions will be reviewed in the order they are received.
• Learners can only earn one (1) Reading Endorsement stipend.
• Stipends are not guaranteed and are dependent upon budget availability and eligibility. Stipend processing may take up to 8 weeks to process. Please understand stipend timelines are an estimation and processing times vary by participant.
• Have your most recent payslip ready for upload.
• Important – if you have not yet successfully applied for your Reading Endorsement with FDOE, please do so today. You do not have to wait for your Reading Endorsement to be approved before applying for the stipend.

Payment Options

Stipend distribution will be via Zelle (direct deposit)

• • • You must have access to a smartphone or to online banking through your financial institution to receive the stipend.
    • You must 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. The University of Florida is not responsible for any erroneous payment information.
    • You will not be asked to share your banking information with UF.
    • Please follow all steps in the  Zelle Guide for Stipend Payments.
    • To get started with Zelle please visit: https://www.zellepay.com/

Stipends Application and Employment Verification

All applications will be reviewed in the order received by our Financial Services Team for eligibility determination according to the requirements of the stipend.

At the end of the application, you must upload your most recent pay slip as verification of your employment at a K12 Local Educational Agency (LEA) public school, publicly funded charter school, or district. 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, submit your stipend application to Lastinger Center, and apply for Reading Endorsement with FDOE within 30 days of course completion and no later than June 1, 2025, whichever comes first.

Stipends are only available for courses officially ending on or before April 28, 2025.

Please note, courses are only considered complete, and grading is only considered final, after the official end date of the course. If the official end date of your course is after April 28, 2025, you may not be eligible for a stipend at this time.

IMPORTANT – 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 directly 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 you and your employer must be eligible at the time of completion (Local Educational Agency (LEA) public school, publicly funded charter school, or district).