Scholarships for Education Majors

A career in education typically begins by earning an accredited degree. Depending on the level you wish to teach and whether you want to specialize in a particular field, you may need to spend a significant amount of time and money earning the right degree to accomplish your career goals. As the price of attending college continues to grow, securing financial aid can help offset some of these high costs.

Fortunately, there are a variety of financial aid options available to students pursuing a degree in education. Read on to learn more information about how you can take advantage of numerous scholarship options.

Financial Assistance for Education Majors

Students can access several financial assistance resources to help them pay for their studies, such as loans, scholarships, grants, fellowships, and work-study positions. Different conditions apply for each form of aid, however, so make sure you research each opportunity carefully.

College loans can usually be secured from the federal government or a private financial institution. Though you must eventually repay a loan, the amount you repay depends on the kind of loan you take out. For instance, federal loans tend to charge lower interest rates than private loans. You can also apply for a subsidized loan, which can decrease the amount of interest you need to pay back.

While loans must be repaid, grants and scholarships do not require repayment. Grants are typically dispersed to students who demonstrate financial need, while scholarships from private entities often target students who meet certain academic standards. Students should exhaust grant and scholarship opportunities before applying for loans.

Graduate students may be awarded fellowships in order to conduct research in their field. Additionally, students who qualify for a work-study program are matched with a part-time job at their school, allowing them to earn money to help pay for their studies.

Seeking financial aid begins with filling out your FAFSA. This allows the federal government to gauge your level of need. Students need to submit their FAFSA results to apply for financial aid at accredited colleges and universities.

Teacher Loan Repayment and Forgiveness

Education students who take out student loans can also qualify for teacher loan repayment/forgiveness programs. These programs forgive some or all of your debt over time if you teach in high-risk or high-need areas.

Grants for Teachers

Teachers and other education professionals can also access numerous federally funded grants. The following list describes grants specifically tailored to education majors.

Education Scholarships

Scholarships — generally awarded on the basis of academic, athletic, and/or extracurricular achievement — can also help finance your education. Students can apply for scholarships based on their background, field of study, and financial need. Requirements and application criteria vary between awards; be sure to do your research and only apply to programs that match your situation.

Many education scholarships have specific requirements based on factors like a teacher's demographic, education specialization, and/or teaching experience. Below, you can peruse a list of education scholarships targeting teachers from a variety of backgrounds.

Teaching Scholarships for Racial Minorities

Scholarship funds and awards for racial minorities can help level the playing field for those from historically marginalized communities. Follow this link for a detailed list of financial aid opportunities for students of color.

Teaching Scholarships for Early Childhood Education

Many scholarships help education students earn an early childhood education endorsement. Consult this list to learn about top programs that offer bachelor's degrees in early childhood education.

Additional Financial Aid Resources

An Overview of Financial Aid

While the above page outlines the basics of financial aid for education students, you may want to follow this link to find more information about how to apply for financial aid.

Financial Aid for Online Students

Financial aid for online students can help nontraditional learners earn a degree at their own pace. Consult this link for more detailed information on financial aid resources for online education majors.

Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities

Education students with disabilities — as well as those who rely on Social Security — face unique challenges when paying for schooling. This link offers an in-depth look at financial aid resources for education majors with disabilities.

Scholarships for Single Parents

Nontraditional learners, such as single parents balancing family responsibilities with school, often rely on one or more forms of financial aid. Follow this link for a detailed look at scholarships tailored to single parents.

Financial Aid for Veterans and Active Military

Many schools honor veterans, active members of the military, and their families by offering financial aid resources, such as tuition discounts and scholarships. Review this link to find more information on financial aid resources available to veterans and active members of the military.

Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships for Education Majors

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