Graduate Program Scholarships for Teachers: A Comprehensive Guide

In an era where advanced degrees are increasingly becoming a necessity for career advancement, funding graduate studies can be a significant hurdle for teachers. Fortunately, numerous scholarships and grants are available to educators and aspiring educators to help offset the costs of graduate programs. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of graduate program scholarships for teachers, offering valuable information on eligibility, application tips, and resources for discovering more funding opportunities.

Understanding Scholarships and Grants

While the terms "scholarship" and "grant" are often used interchangeably, they generally mean the same thing today. However, a scholarship is often awarded based on merit, with qualifying criteria such as GPA, while a grant is typically needs-based, considering factors like social deprivation and income.

General Scholarship Resources

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): This should be the first step for most students, especially those pursuing postgraduate studies. The FAFSA has few restrictions, and each applicant is considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens with a valid Social Security number and maintain satisfactory academic grades with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Graduate students can still benefit from filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A helpful tip - graduate school students are eligible for Federal Work-Study benefits to help pay for education expenses. Federal Work-Study is administered by schools participating in the Federal Work-Study Program. It provides students with part-time employment while you are enrolled in school. Remember that many scholarships require that students submit the FAFSA to be eligible.
Scholarships.com: This website helps you find graduate school scholarships you are eligible for. After you receive your personalized list of scholarship matches, you can mark your favorite scholarships and begin applying. Remember to set goals. For example, apply to 2 scholarships per week for 8 weeks.
School Financial Aid Department: Contacting your prospective school's financial aid department and asking them how to apply for grants, scholarships, and fellowships is a crucial first step.

Scholarships by Subject Area

Art Education

National Art Education Foundation (NAEF) Grants and Scholarships: This organization offers various grants and scholarships, including the Ruth Halvorsen Professional Development Grants, Mary McMullan Grants, NAEF Research Grants, SHIP Grants, and Teacher Incentive Grants. The National Art Education Foundation is a large philanthropic organization dedicated to promoting good teaching practices and allowing people to enter into art education.
Mary Baker Emerick Scholarship: Available from The University of Montana Western, this fund is for female students of art who intend to study for a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education while choosing art as their major, or a degree in Visual Arts with a focus or minors in art and crafts business and art therapy. The value of the award presently stands at $2000 and is awarded to up to ten individuals every year.
Eleanor Armstrong Smith Scholarship: Available from the Western Michigan University, this scholarship is in recognition of excellence for art students who are in financial need. The award is limited to students who intend to go on to a career in teaching. You must be studying an art major for this, be in your junior or senior year, and must be nominated by the faculty.

English Education

Fulbright TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Program: This program provides funding for American students to study and work abroad as part of their degree, gaining working experience in teaching English as a foreign language. Named in honor of J. William Fulbright, it provides funding for international relations through education. Applicants must be looking to study or work abroad as part of their education.
EWTSF (English-Speaking Union Walter Hines Page Scholarship): For those who wish to advance in their career to study a master's or other post-grad course, the EWTSF offers $500-1,000 annually to one applicant. You must already be an English teacher at a publicly funded education establishment in order to apply and be a member of the NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English).

Mathematics Education

NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics) Grants: If you're already a middle school teacher, then you may wish to apply for this $8,000 grant to help improve math standards. Applicants must be a full member of the NCTM and will be required to write a 2,000 word proposal in order to be considered. All activities to improve math standards in the class or school should aim to be completed within one year.
Grades PreK-6 Mathematics Instruction Grant: This grant represents a significant funding opportunity for teachers who are members of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and currently engaged in mathematics instruction in grades PreK-6 within a school that also holds membership within the council.
Teachers of Mathematics Grant: Teachers with at least three years of mathematics instruction experience in grades 6-8 who are also members of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics may apply for this $3,000 professional development grant.

Science and Technology Education

AFCEA (Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association) Scholarship: AFCEA offers an annual scholarship for high school and college students who are seeking a career in science and technology (and other STEM subjects) with a goal to teach middle school students. The scholarship is valued at $5,000. In addition, an extra candidate is selected for the special MG Eugene C Remzi award. This too is worth $5,000.
Sol Hirsch Education Fund: This is a grant for teachers of children of all ages who wish to improve their teaching of the understanding of weather. The grant is worth $750 and you must already be in teaching position. The money may be used for professional development, learning materials, and anything else that may help towards teaching children about the importance of weather systems and their importance.
Foundation for Technology and Engineering Educators (FTEE) and the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) Awards and Scholarships: The Foundation for Technology and Engineering Educators (FTEE) and the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) give out awards and scholarships to support the advancement of STEM through technology and engineering education.
International Technology and Engineering Educators Association Scholarship: The International Technology and Engineering Educators Association sponsors this annual $1,000 scholarship to support graduate study for teachers dedicated to increasing positive outcomes in technology and engineering education.

Music Education

Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI) Scholarships: SAI offer a number of scholarship programs - some of which are dedicated to enabling students or prospective students to enter into a career as a music teacher. They offer annual awards of $1,000-$5,000 depending on the subject and level of study, and during convention years (every third year) offer an extra set of scholarships.

Special Education

Nancy Larson Foundation Scholarship: This scholarship is designed specifically for college and university students training to become elementary school teachers. You can apply whether you are a junior, senior, or graduate student wishing to teach the youngest among us. Nancy Larson herself is famous for having written a number of math and science textbooks, but this found can be applied for teaching any subject. The value of each scholarship is $1,000 and it has only a short application window from 1st of October to 15th of November.

Constitution Education

James Madison Graduate Fellowship: The James Madison Graduate Fellowship is a fund set up in honor of the fourth president for people who wish to teach about the Constitution in our high schools. It has a value of $24,000 and is limited to one person, per state, per year. Therefore, the only competition you will have will be other people in your state applying for the fund. The James Madison Memorial Foundation offers one $24,000 fellowship per state to exceptional applicants who wish to pursue a graduate-level education program that will allow them to become outstanding teachers of the American Constitution at the secondary school level.

Scholarships Based on Demographics and Background

AICPA Fellowship for Minority Doctoral Students: This fellowship is available to ethnic minorities who are presently studying for a doctorate in finance and intend to devote their studies towards teaching the subject to others. Applicants should be a member of or intend to apply to become a full member of the CPA. There is considered to be a lack of ethnic minorities in the accounting field.
ASME Fellowship: The ASME Fellowship seeks to address the critical shortage of engineers. Anyone can apply, but the selection process generally favors women and ethnic minorities. The fund is available for those who intend to pursue engineering education as a career, so college professorships are ideal. Award value is $5,000.
HSF (Hispanic Scholarship Fund) Programs: The HSF presently offers access to two separate scholarship programs for people of Hispanic ethnicity from underprivileged backgrounds. The value of the fund ranges from $500 to $5,000. It is not just for high school students looking to enter college, but also existing undergraduate and postgraduate students looking to further their studies and research. Requirement: Minimum 3.0 GPA for High School Students. Minimum 2.5GPA for college students (undergraduate and postgraduate).
Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMF): Set up by Bill Gates to enable the underprivileged into higher education, applicants must be an ethnic minority within the US and either a citizen, permanent resident or American National. It is a full scholarship fund that can be applied for undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctoral studies. You must have applied for the PELL grant to be eligible.
Tennessee Minority Teaching Fellows Program: This Tennessee specific fund is for ethnic minorities in the state who are an eligible US citizen or permanent resident and who wishes to pursue a career in post-secondary education. It is for a flat $5000 fund going to a single selected candidate every year. Applicants will be required to write a statement titled "Why I chose teaching as a profession" with a limit of 250 words along with a number of other selection criteria.
Future Female Educators Scholarship: Any female-identifying graduate student, undergraduate, or high school senior who will be working on an education degree at an accredited university may apply for this scholarship.
Scholarships for First-Generation Students: If youâre the first in your family to pursue collegeâor teacher certificationâthese scholarships help reduce financial barriers during a demanding degree path that includes coursework, field placements, and exam prep.
Scholarships for Women: Women make up a large percentage of the teaching workforce, and many programs offer support for both undergraduate and graduate degrees in the education field.
LGBTQ+ scholarships: Educators who identify as LGBTQ+ can find financial support and community focused scholarships that celebrate diversity and leadership in education.
Earl Warren Scholarship: This scholarship is given to a current law school student interested in civil rights. This $15,000 annual award can be renewed for three years, for a $45,000 total. citizens attending an accredited law school are eligible to apply.
National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program: This scholarship is awarded to students pursuing a career in the healthcare industry, including those in medical school. Scholarship winners have to work in an underserved area for a few years after graduation.
Ford Foundation Fellowship program: This program is open to predoctoral, dissertation, and postdoctoral students. Students who are still in graduate school, who are working on their Ph.D.

Scholarships Based on Specific Criteria

TEACH Grant (Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education): This grant is worth up to $4,000 per year for each individual student. You are also bound by a number of conditions to teach in deprived schools, or in a high needs field for at least four of the eight years after receiving your grant. All candidates must complete one four-year service obligation for all TEACH Grants that a student receives for undergraduate study, and one four-year service obligation for all TEACH Grants they would receive for a graduate study program. Schools participating in the TEACH Grant Program are responsible for determining which programs they offer are TEACH-Grant-eligible. A program that is TEACH Grant-eligible at one school might not be TEACH-Grant-eligible at another school.
John Philip Sousa Foundation Grants: For college graduate students who are currently teaching K-12 gifted education. The successful nominee(s) will each receive a scholarship to reimburse costs up to $2,000 annually, non-renewable.
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC): For teachers who teach gifted students.
James Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund: Set up in honor of three Michigan teachers who refused to pay union fees, this scholarship is for both undergraduates and graduates who have pursued or are pursuing a degree in education at an accredited and publicly funded institution. You will be expected to write a mini essay on the subject of voluntary unionism and the problems of compulsory unionism.

Scholarships for Specific Career Stages

Scholarships for High School Seniors: A great starting point for future educators still in high school. Many teacher prep programs offer âearly commitmentâ scholarships, and applying during senior year helps you enter your education major with funding already secured.
Scholarships for College Students: Already in an education program? You can still apply for teaching scholarships during freshman through senior years.
Scholarships for Adults: Many adults pursue teaching as a second career, especially in high-need subjects. This resource is ideal for paraprofessionals, substitute teachers, instructional aides, or career changers entering teacher prep programs later in life.

Additional Funding Opportunities

Funds for Teachers: An important information portal for educators seeking funding, Funds for Teachers allows applicants to design their own professional development funding proposals within the context of numerous programs.
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: AmeriCorps volunteers who signed up for an education award and have successfully completed their term of service are eligible to receive a Segal Americorps Education Award.
NEA Foundation Grants: Grants from The NEA Foundation focus on improving student achievement and teacher leadership. Learning & Leadership grants are $2,000- or $5,000-awards designed to help educators plan, present, and attend professional development sessions.

Employer Tuition Assistance

If you're currently employed and plan to keep working while youâre in school, you may be able to receive tuition reimbursement through your employer. Most employers also require that you receive a certain grade to qualify for reimbursement. Also, working full-time while going back to school can be challenging. Another downside is that your employer may not offer tuition reimbursement unless your degree program is relevant to your current job. Also, some employers may require that you work at the company for a certain period of time after your tuition has been paid for. For example, Chick-fil-Aâs True Inspiration Scholarship awards $25,000 to current team members who will be attending undergraduate or graduate school and who have demonstrated financial need.

Tips for Applying for Teaching Scholarships

Start Early and Be Organized: Thereâs no standard deadline for scholarship applications.
Apply for as Many Scholarships as Possible: Absolutely not, so apply for as many as you can to increase your chances of winning free money.
Don't Worry About College Acceptance: You donât need to know which college youâre going to attend before applying for most scholarships.
Craft a Strong Essay (If Required): Not every scholarship will ask you to submit an essayâdifferent scholarships have different requirements.
Keep a Portfolio: Keep a simple portfolio including your resume, unofficial transcript, licensure plan, fieldwork log, and references to reuse across applications.

Read also: Funding Your Graduate Education

Read also: Graduate Fees at CMU

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