$20k or $2.5k Scholarships for Cantonese or Mandarin Bilingual Certification
Informational Meeting on Zoom on Friday, March 20 at 4pm.
Are you interested in obtaining Cantonese or Mandarin Bilingual Certification?
This information is for teachers who hold a Multiple Subjects Credential and also for students who are in the process of obtaining a Multiple Subjects credential with Cantonese Bilingual authorization. This authorization is also available for Mandarin. The process for applying is the same.
This is an excellent opportunity for possible paid tuition and demonstrates the state’s commitment to build bilingual educators. This opportunity will only be available for the next two years.
It is clear that bilingual-certified teachers are highly needed in the district and state-wide. With a K-5 authorization, you will be able to teach in Cantonese language programs such as biliteracy, dual language immersion and newcomer programs which allows you more options for teaching in SFUSD.
This program is developed in collaboration with SFUSD, SFSU, The Association of Chinese Teachers (TACT), the Association of Asian American Administrators (AAAA), Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), as well as other community groups.
A. If you hold a Multiple Subjects credential:
There is an opportunity to earn bilingual certification for K-5 in Cantonese at San Francisco State University’s College of Professional & Global Education (CPaGE) by taking two on-line courses in lieu of taking the certification test with the California Department of Education. One online course will be offered in the fall of 2026 and one in the spring of 2027.
The best news is that $2500 scholarships will be provided by the CSU Consortium through SFSU to cover tuition. You will not need to enroll in the University. The courses will be offered through SFSU’s CPaGE (formerly Extended Leaning). One course will be offered in Chinese American history, culture and identity, and the history and evolution of bilingual education. The second course will be on teaching Chinese literacy at the K-5 level. The literacy course will be taught in English and in Cantonese.
This authorization and scholarship opportunity is also available for Mandarin. The on-line courses will be provided by another CSU, but the application process is the same.
If you are interested in applying for the scholarship, you should apply by April 1, 2026 to the CSU Consortium. To apply to begin the course in the fall, please fill out this Google Form. SFSU is the only CSU that offers authorization in Cantonese. There is more information on the CSU Bilingual Authorization website.
Application deadlines for BiAu Consortium $2500 Scholarship:
For Fall 2026 Cohort - April 1
For Spring 2027 Cohort - October 15
Once accepted into the program and scholarship, you will enroll for the classes through CPaGE at SFSU.
B. If you are planning on applying or are already enrolled in a program to obtain a Multiple Subjects Credential and bilingual authorization:
These two additional courses will earn you Cantonese bilingual authorization in lieu of taking the state’s authorization test, which you may complete concurrently with your credential or after completion of your credential.
You may be eligible to obtain up to a $20,000 scholarship to cover tuition costs through the CSU Consortium at SFSU. You can get more information and apply on the CSU Bilingual Authorization website. You need to be enrolled in both the credential program and the CSU BiAu program to be eligible for the scholarship. You may apply for the Fall Cohort by completing this Google Form by May 15. SFSU is the only CSU offering authorization in Cantonese.
Authorization in Mandarin can be obtained by enrolling in one of the other CSUs in the Consortium that offer Mandarin authorization. You may use the same Google Form as above to apply for Mandarin authorization.
Application deadlines for BiAu $20,000 Consortium Scholarship:
For Fall 2026 Cohort - May 15
For Spring 2026 Cohort - October 15
C. Informational Meeting
If interested, please attend an informational meeting on Zoom on Friday, March 20 at 4pm. Here is the link to the meeting.
Please direct any questions to Darlene Lim, LimD1@sfusd.edu.