Grow Your Own Program for SLPs and SLPAs: Budget Considerations
Developing a successful Grow Your Own (GYO) program for school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and/or speech-language pathology assistants (SLPAs) requires thoughtful budget planning to ensure long‑term sustainability and meaningful support for participants. Funding is one of the most significant challenges faced by GYO initiatives, with programs relying on a mix of grants, local education budgets, and community partnerships to meet financial needs.
Tip: Use ASHA's Grow Your Own Program for SLPs and SLPAs: Budget Planning Template [PDF] to help you track the budget items for your GYO program.
The budget considerations below help districts create stable pathways for developing future SLPs and SLPAs.
Graduate Tuition Assistance
Funding is available in the form of graduate tuition assistance to support candidates in completing their master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders. Such funding may be full or partial coverage.
Potential Cost Drivers
- number of candidates supported per cohort
- whether tuition is in-state or out-of-state
- flat-rate program fees versus per-credit tuition
- university partnership discounts
- inclusion of textbooks or materials as required expenses
Stipends for Graduate Student SLPs (Interns and Externs)
School districts often use these stipends to improve recruitment, retention, and placement availability.
Potential Cost Drivers
- number of stipends per student per semester or year
- whether stipend is tied to service commitment
- whether stipend covers additional expenses like transportation and/or living supports
- type of funding source (grant, district, state, Title II, IDEA, etc.)
Stipends for SLP Supervisors and Mentors
Compensation may be available for supervising clinicians who provide direct supervision and mentorship to graduate students or Clinical Fellows (CFs).
Potential Cost Drivers
- number of supervisors needed
- number of stipends per student per semester
- additional pay for mentoring first-time supervisors
- alignment with district salary schedule or with university standards
Cost of Release Time for Supervisors
The program should provide time for SLPs to complete required supervision training, meet with university faculty, and support students.
Potential Cost Drivers
- hourly rate for SLP release time
- substitute coverage rates (if applicable)
- time required for onboarding, evaluation, and support meetings
Supervisor Training and University Requirements
The GYO program may have to pay for required workshops, ASHA supervision education (e.g., 2-hour requirement), university meetings, or district professional development (PD).
Potential Cost Drivers
- fees for ASHA-approved supervision continuing education units (CEUs)
- university-provided training costs
- paid professional development hours (PDHs) for SLPs
- materials and training platform fees
Administrative Time and Coordination
GYO programs also must consider the time and administrative support for managing the partnership, data tracking, contracts, communication, and reporting.
Potential Cost Drivers
- percentage of full-time equivalent (FTE) employees per coordinator
- onboarding costs related to human resources
- creation of memoranda of understanding (MOUs) or agreement (MOAs)
- resources to write and manage grants
- student data tracking tools or software
Recruitment and Candidate Pipeline Development
GYO programs often sponsor activities that encourage local candidates to enter the SLP pathway (e.g., high school career programs, para-to-SLPA pathways, SLPA-to-SLP pathways).
Potential Cost Drivers
- career fair materials
- staffing for informational sessions
- expenses related to marketing, brochures, and/or online materials
- MOUs with universities
Program Evaluation and Continuous Improvement
GYO programs typically engage in tracking data such as outcomes, retention, and satisfaction and periodically making program adjustments to ensure long-term sustainability.
Potential Cost Drivers
- survey tools
- data analysis time
- program evaluation consultant (if used)
- reporting and communication tools
Technology, Materials, and Other Supports
University students or district staff participating in the GYO program may need additional resources.
Potential Cost Drivers
- testing materials
- therapy materials
- laptop and/or tech access
- telepractice software or equipment (if applicable)
