ESP Resources

Links to Resources for ESPs

If you have questions about the NSD Professional Development fund or the ESP Scholarship, please contact Sarah Beeson at sbeeson@nsd.org

Summary of Scholarship and Tuition Reimbursement Resources for ESPs

ESP Professional Development Fund  – joint NSD/NSEA fund, 2024-2026 ESP CBA Article 28, page 44-46

Consideration for approval will be based upon: (1) funds available, (2) relationship to employee's immediate job performance or future planned responsibilities, (3) District needs, (4) individual growth adding to the employee's abilities, skills, job- related interests and professional or personal growth, and (5) the employee’s access to other professional development funds. Paraeducators may request reimbursement for the cost of the assessment required by the state to serve as a paraeducator, as well as costs associated with applying for Paraeducator Certificates, after completion of their probationary period, provided funds are available. 

Please complete the ESP Professional Development Fund request form above. 

Pre-Tax Tuition Reimbursement NSD Program – 2024-2026 ESP CBA Article 12, Section 12.22, page 14

A Pre-Tax Tuition Reimbursement Program will be in effect whereby Association members may elect, prior to October 10 of each year to convert up to 40 (forty) unused professional hours compensation into a pre-tax tuition reimbursement program. Tuition expenses to be reimbursed must be incurred on or after the first work day of the school year through August 31 of the same contract year. Each employee can submit up to three reimbursement requests per contract year. Final receipt submission must be received by the District no later than August 31 of the contract year for which the pre-tax tuition reimbursement was elected. Reimbursement payments will be made upon submittal of authorized receipts in accordance with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations. Should the program at any stage be found to be out of compliance with IRS regulations, the District and Association will meet and take appropriate actions, including the recovery of employee payroll taxes, if necessary.

NSEA/NSD ESP Teaching Certificate Scholarship  2024-2026 ESP CBA Appendix J, page 94

In collaboration with the Northshore School District and the Association the NSEA Teaching Certification Scholarship aims to recognize and encourage ESP members who are pursuing certification in the field of education at the undergraduate level. The District will not provide a scholarship fund for the 2024-2025 school year. The scholarship fund for the 2025-2026 school year is $20,000. Scholarship awards will be a minimum of $2,000 perschool year, unlesstheir documented educational expenses are less than $2,000, following their receipt of any additional awards and/or grants. Recipients may receive one scholarship per year for a maximum of three years. All scholarship monies will be paid via a district Travel and Expense Reimbursement Claim form and deposited directly into the recipient’s bank account on file with the district.

  • Must have 3 years of employment in NSD
  • Must be member of NSEA for at least three years prior to first application (can count year of application)
  • Junior credit or equivalency (or higher) classes only
  • Minimum $2000 per year for no more than 3 application cycles
  • Maximum depends on number of applicants
  • Limited to 5 total applicants an application cycle
  • Reimbursement only

WEA-Retired Scholarships 

WEA-Retired offers $1,000 non-renewable scholarships to aid WEA members in 1) enhancing skills for their current position, 2) obtaining an endorsement in a new area or 3) obtaining or maintaining a teaching certificate. Applicants must be a WEA member, (NSEA members are WEA members). The 2025 scholarship application will be available in fall 2024.

  •  Questions? Contact Linda McGee at mcgee4748@gmail.com

WEA Cascade Uniserv Council Grants, Scholarships and More