Written by Emily Marek
How to Apply for Teacher Scholarships
When prospective teachers decide it's time to pursue a degree in education, they soon learn about the costs associated with completing an education preparation program and becoming licensed. It's important to know there are resources that exist to assist future teachers and decrease the financial burden of higher education.
Whether through federal aid, local or national organizations, loan programs, or your institution's financial aid office, there are many opportunities for assistance for future educators. Thanks to the Internet, students can apply to most of these scholarships and financial aid programs online, directly to the organization offering the award.
When applying for scholarships, students should compile a folder of all the information they'll need to submit to each organization. Every scholarship is different, but it's likely most will require at least some extra material in addition to submission of an application. This includes transcripts, letters of recommendation, a resume with work experience, internships, community service, and high school achievements, fees, essays, and other materials that may demonstrate why a student deserves scholarship money. It may be beneficial to create an application with Common App, as some scholarships are awarded through the site. Every student should fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form determines federal aid and school-based aid for college students and is necessary in order to take out a student loan.
Scholarships for Future Teachers
Students are encouraged to apply for internal scholarships within their universities or education programs. Students seeking these scholarships should contact their institution's financial aid department regarding deadlines.
In addition to school-based financial aid opportunities, there are nation-wide, state-wide, and local scholarships specifically for future teachers. These awards are offered by different organizations and people who wish to support those making the choice to become educators. Thousands of scholarships exist, but here are some specific to future educators:
| Scholarship |
Application Information |
| American Montessori Society |
Awards of various sizes are given to students who aspire to become Montessori teachers. This past year, a total of $20,000 was awarded to 16 different future educators. Applicants must demonstrate financial need. |
| Congressional Black Caucus Foundation |
This organization distributes funds to students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities who are committed to pursuing a number of social justice-related degrees, including education. There are many scholarships available, valued at up to $20,000. Applications for 2023 open in December 2022. |
| Florida Retired Educators Foundation Scholarship |
This is a $4,000 scholarship awarded to a student with community service experience who demonstrates financial need and plans on teaching in Florida. Applicants should be high school seniors who have scored at least 1000 on the SAT and 22 on the ACT. The scholarship is renewable as long as the recipient maintains a 2.0 GPA. The deadline is January 20, 2023. |
| For A Bright Future Global Scholarship Program |
Applicants should be minority students from low-income households and have earned a minimum 3.0 high school GPA. Many scholarships are available, all with different criteria and requirements. The amount ranges from around $2,500 all the way up to $10,000. The deadline to apply is April 1, 2022. |
| Mrs. Prindables Future Educator Scholarship |
This prospective teacher scholarship, offered by a caramel apple company, is worth $1,000 and is available for high school seniors and current undergraduate students. Applicants should write a very brief statement on what they have to offer students as an educator. The next deadline is August 17, 2023. |
| National Art Education Foundation (NAEF) |
This organization awards multiple different scholarships for students planning to study art education. Recipients are automatically enrolled in the NAEA National Convention. |
| National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program |
This organization offers many scholarships to legally blind students, in a variety of academic concentrations. The value is between $3,000-$8,000. The winner of the award should expect to participate in events with the National Federation of the Blind. The yearly deadline is March. Additionally, NFB's Teachers of Tomorrow is a free program for future or current educators who plan to educate blind students. |
| NILRR Applegate-Jackson-Parks Future Teacher Scholarship |
This scholarship was created in honor of three public school teachers in Michigan who were fired after refusing to pay union dues. The award is given to students pursuing education degrees and is approved after students achieve licensure. Selection criteria includes a personal essay explaining the importance of voluntary unionism (teachers' rights to choose to participate in collective bargaining with unions) over compulsory unionism (forced participation in collective bargaining where teachers cannot negotiate directly with their employer). |
| PDK Prospective Educator Scholarships |
Awards ranging from $500-$4,000 are given to applicants who are members of a number of academic associations. There are over 100 different scholarships offered by this organization with different requirements for each. |
| Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program |
This is a $10,000 annual scholarship for students at universities in West Virginia who agree to teach in an area of critical need within a West Virginia public school after obtaining a teaching license. Priority is given to applications submitted before December 31. |
| WGU Military Appreciation Scholarship |
Active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their families can receive this scholarship for continuing education in one of several careers, including education. |
Scholarships by Grade Level
Some scholarships are meant for future educators who are entering certain specialties or grade levels. Students who plan on studying early childhood, elementary, middle, or secondary education should research scholarships that are specific to their academic track. Awards like these can often be found through financial aid offices at higher learning institutions and are sometimes endowed by alumni who have participated in the same program. Some awards are even more specific, targeting students who plan to teach a specific grade. It's important for applicants to make sure they are applying to scholarships where they fit the selection criteria. Here are some scholarships for specific grade-level concentrations:
Scholarships for Early Childhood Education Majors
Early childhood education scholarships are available to students specializing in K-3 education. It's a good idea to check out the aid opportunities from early childhood education professional associations such as Childhood Education International, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and the National Head Start Association. Here are a few other scholarships meant to benefit future early childhood education teachers:
| Scholarship |
Application Information |
| Brian White Scholarships |
These scholarships are for early childhood educators in Michigan who are pursuing an associate degree pertaining to childhood education and development. The award includes $1,000 and admission to the Michigan Association for the Education of Young children Early Childhood conference. |
| Daniels Boundless Opportunities Scholarship |
Early childhood education students in certain Southwestern states can apply to receive aid up to $5,000 if they meet certain requirements. Students apply through participating schools |
| Early Achievers Scholarship |
These annual grants fund up to 52 credits and are given to Washington residents majoring in early childhood education with a full-time course load, a minimum GPA of 2.0, and employment at a daycare facility. |
| Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program |
Distributed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, this program benefits early childhood education majors who have already worked in early childhood education and are attempting to earn additional certification. Applicants should complete the FAFSA and will receive aid based on need and the order the applications were received. Recipients will have their entire yearly tuition cost covered by the program, after financial aid has been applied. |
| George & Marilyn Ball Scholarship |
This scholarship is awarded to high school seniors from West Aurora High School in Illinois who are pursuing preschool or elementary education. Financial need is required, and the deadline is January of 2023. |
| Patch Scholarship |
This is a $750 scholarship awarded to early childhood education students in Hawaii. Money is awarded in January, May, and August. |
| AOSA Scholarships and Grants |
The American Orff-Schulwerk Association, a music-education organization with a focus in early childhood education, distributes over 20 scholarships and grants annually to its members, with awards between $500 - $3,000. Preference is given to applicants who work with preschool or Kindergarten-age children in low-income environments who can demonstrate how the funds will benefit the population they serve. |
Scholarships for Future Elementary & High School Teachers
The following scholarships are opportunities for students specializing in elementary and high school education. Many primary and secondary education scholarships are specific to the applicant's area of concentration.
| Scholarship |
Application Information |
| AFCEA STEM Teachers Scholarship |
The STEM Teachers Scholarship is intended for people who already have a STEM degree who are pursuing an education degree to teach a STEM subject in K-12. Applications are accepted from January through May 2023. |
| James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation |
This scholarship is awarded to students who plan to teach American history, government, or civics at the high school level. The award can be up to $24,000 and is intended to assist students in obtaining their master's degrees. Applicants should sign up online and submit transcripts and letters of recommendation. The deadline is March 2, 2023. |
| Nancy Larson Foundation College Scholarship |
This $1,000 scholarship for future teachers is awarded based on submission of a personal essay. Applicants must have already declared their major as elementary education. |
| National Association of Biology Teachers |
This organization offers scholarships for both students and current educators who specialize in biology. The value can reach up to $5,000 and the annual deadline is in March. |
| National Council of Teachers of Mathematics |
The NCTM awards scholarships of up to $10,000 to future elementary or secondary math teachers. Applicants need to submit a detailed proposal of their plan to complete their education coursework and become a teacher, as well as a budget demonstrating how the scholarship money would be used. |
| New York State Math and Science Teaching Incentive Scholarship |
College students in New York can apply for this scholarship if they intend to teach secondary education math or science. The award covers the cost of tuition for four years, contingent on the applicant's commitment to teach in New York state for five years. |
Praxis Certification Scholarships
An issue often overlooked concerning the licensing of prospective teachers is the additional costs associated with taking standardized teaching assessments. For example, Praxis exams are required for students in certain states in order to achieve licensure. This exam suite consists of multiple exams related to the candidate's content area or grade specialization. Most Praxis Subject Assessments cost around $120, but the price can range from $50 to over $200. Since most students are required to take more than one exam, the cost can add up quickly.
Some students may be eligible to have their Praxis test fees waived. The first step in determining eligibility for this assistance is the completion of the FAFSA. If eligible, candidates can then apply for waivers through several organizations.
Educational Testing Service (ETS), the company that offers the Praxis test, offers fee waivers for undergrad and graduate students who receive financial aid and can prove family contributions of less than $3,000 annually towards education costs. Waivers are available for either the Praxis Core or one Praxis Subject Assessment, depending on the student's exam requirements. Applicants should fill out and submit the Fee Waiver Request form provided by ETS, along with proof of enrollment in a higher-learning institution and FAFSA documentation. Applicants are encouraged to apply early as waivers are limited and are given out on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who must retake Praxis test are not eligible for a fee waiver more than once in a year but may reapply if they attempt the exam again in a different year.
Study.com offers several Praxis scholarship awards to assist with costs associated with taking the Praxis exam. Three awards are distributed to future educators: $500, $300, and $200. In order to apply, candidates must plan on taking the Praxis by the end of the academic school year in which they receive the award. The application form includes questions about the candidate's goals, challenges, and general career journey. Applications must be submitted online. Those who have received this award in the past are not eligible to win again. The yearly deadline to apply is in April.
Additional scholarship opportunities exist for students attempting to obtain their license who can demonstrate financial need. Candidates should check with their institution to understand the financial assistance available to them. Many education programs have support funds available to assist students in obtaining certification, including fee waivers and fee reductions. The value and quantity of these forms of assistance will vary from school to school.
In the interest of saving money, candidates should be aware that if they must cancel their Praxis exam, they must do so three days prior to the Praxis test day in order to be eligible for a 50% refund. Also, there are many free practice resources online to help candidates prepare and avoid having to take the Praxis multiple times. Additionally, some organizations offer enrollment in courses for Praxis test preparation if students can demonstrate financial need. Specifically, Teachers Test Prep offers this assistance to students who qualify for Medicaid or EBT, or who are DACA students.
Financial assistance is available through the government for students who qualify. Students should complete the FAFSA to know if they are eligible for work-study or federal grants or loans. Loans are like borrowing money, except you end up paying much more than you originally borrowed. Grants, on the other hand, are offered based on financial need and generally do not need to be repaid. Students must maintain their enrollment status and achieve supplemental scholarships in addition to their grant money in order to avoid having to repay.
Here are some of the awards applicants might receive after completing the FAFSA:
- Direct Subsidized Loans: These need-based loans accrue interest that is paid for by the U.S. Department of Education while you're enrolled in school.
- Direct Unsubsidized Loans: Any higher education student can borrow this type of loan. Interest is charged the entire time you're in school.
- Pell Grants: These are need-based grants that do not need to be repaid.
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): These grants are distributed through each school's financial aid department for those who demonstrate financial eligibility.
- TEACH Grant: This program offers grants to students who plan to complete an education program. They offer up to $4,000 a year for students who meet academic requirements and qualify for federal aid. Recipients, who can be students at the undergraduate or graduate level, must agree to counseling in order to keep receiving the grant as well as must be enrolled in a school that partners with this program.
- Academic Competitiveness and National SMART Grants: The ACG grant is for undergraduate students and the SMART grant is for undergraduate juniors and seniors, but both are awarded to students pursuing education degrees with specialization in an area of need (like STEM or foreign language). The ACG grant is based on both financial needs and academic merit.
ROTC scholarships are also available for military students enrolled in ROTC programs through their university.
Students should also consider the Gates Millennium Scholarship, which fills in the gaps between financial aid amounts and total costs of education. This 'last-dollar' scholarship is awarded yearly to 300 students of certain ethnicities who are also eligible for the Pell grant and who maintain a 3.3 GPA. The scholarship is extremely selective. Applications are closed for this scholarship for the upcoming 2022 school year but will reopen in the summer of 2022.
Some organizations offer incentive programs for new graduates. If teachers agree to teach for a certain number of years in a certain school or district, often in a low-income area, they will receive financial assistance. Teachers of Tomorrow is a recruitment program meant to bring teachers into areas in need of staff. Among other incentives, tuition reimbursement is offered for educators who commit to teaching in certain school districts.
The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program and Teacher Loan Cancellation are programs that help educators eliminate their student loan debt. To qualify for loan forgiveness, teachers must have worked for five years in a low-income school. Loan cancellation is only available to teachers with loans from the Federal Perkins Loan program. Educators must work in a low-income school or must teach special education or a critical need subject.
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Absolutely! There are many scholarships meant specifically for future educators available through higher learning institutes and both local and national organizations
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There are no general GPA requirements for scholarships for education majors. Students should research the requirements for each specific award.
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Education scholarships are available for future educators. There are even scholarships for teachers in specific specialties, like early childhood education or secondary education.
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There are many scholarships available for education majors! Students majoring in elementary education should be able to find many financial aid opportunities based on merit and need.
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There are many scholarships for teachers at the local, state, and national level. Teaching organizations endow scholarships to support future educators, so look for opportunities local to your area or specialty!
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This will depend on the scholarship - many scholarships are awarded year-round. It is also important to note that while you may have missed the deadline for this year, you might still be able to apply for the following year.