Scholarships for Education Majors
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If you're aspiring to become a teacher, an education degree is an excellent choice. However, it's no secret that college is expensive.
Luckily, there are a variety of scholarships available to help pay for your bachelor's in education or a master's in education for those who already have an undergraduate degree. While scholarships may not cover your total degree costs, these awards can reduce debt and make your education more affordable.
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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, so make sure you research each opportunity carefully.
You can usually secure college loans 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, decreasing the interest you need to pay back.While you must repay loans, grants and scholarships do not require repayment. Colleges and agencies award grants to students who demonstrate financial need, while private organizations award students who meet certain criteria. 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.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
This program pays off all remaining loans after an individual has made 120 monthly payments To qualify, teachers must be working full time at an approved site; though sites in high-need areas typically qualify, many approved sites reside outside of these areas.
Perkins Loan Cancellation for Teachers
Perkins Loan cancellation programs incrementally forgive up to 100% of a student's loan debt, usually over a period of 5-10 years. Teachers who work at low-income public schools or private schools registered as nonprofits typically qualify for this program.
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.
TEACH Grant
The TEACH Grant provides up to $4,000 per year to students who plan on teaching in a low-income school district. The grant requires students to complete specific classes and to maintain a certain level of academic achievement. Once graduated, students with the TEACH Grant must work in a low-income school to keep the grant from turning into a loan.
Teach For America Financial Support
Teachers accepted into Teach for America can apply for a financial package to help launch their career. TFA provides transitional, need-based, and emergency financial support. Packages are typically granted based on teaching location and financial need.
NEA Foundation Student Success Grant
The National Education Association offers its members grants of $1,500 or $5,000 to implement projects that will help students develop critical skills or master subject-specific concepts. Grant recipients must be working as educators at the time of the award.
NEA Envision Equity Grants
In addition to the Student Success Grants, NEA offers grants ranging from $1,500-$5,000 to innovative educators to help them implement more equitable education at their institution. Examples include diversity training, social and emotional learning expansion, and more. Recipients must be working as educators at the time of the award.
Education Scholarships
Scholarships can help finance your education and generally award academic, athletic, or extracurricular achievements. 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 research scholarship requirements and apply for those you qualify for.
Many education scholarships have specific requirements based on factors like a teacher's demographic, education specialization, or teaching experience. Below, we list education scholarships targeting teachers from a variety of backgrounds.
Featured Teaching Scholarships
Barbara Lotze Scholarship for Future Physics Teachers
- Who's Eligible? This scholarship is open to US citizens enrolled in 2-4 year college programs or high school seniors accepted into an eligible program pursuing or planning to pursue a degree leading to a career as a high school physics teacher.
- Award amount: Up to $2,000
- Deadline: December
Middle Class Scholarship
- Who's Eligible? This California-based scholarship is open to California residents pursuing a teaching credential at a University of California or a California State school whose family income and assets are below $184,000 and qualify for financial aid.
- Award amount: Up to 40% of tuition and fees
- Deadline: Varies
Mrs. Prindables Future Educator Scholarship
- Who's Eligible? This scholarship for future educators, sponsored by candy-apple company Mrs. Pridables, is open to any currently-enrolled college student at any college in the U.S. planning to major in education.
- Award amount: $1,000
- Deadline: August
Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship
- Who's Eligible? This teaching scholarship, available to West Virginia undergraduate students, requires recipients to work within the West Virginia school system for two years for each year the scholarship is received.
- Award Amount: Up to $10,000, renews annually for up to 4 years
- Deadline: December
Teaching Scholarships for Racial Minorities
Scholarships for racial minorities can help level the playing field for those from historically underrepresented communities. Check out a detailed list of financial aid opportunities for students of color.
The CSDIW Native American Scholarship
- Who's Eligible? Enrolled Native American tribal members pursuing education degrees can apply for one of two annual scholarships. Undergraduates must work with Native American students post-graduation.
- Award Amount: $2,500 and $5,000
- Deadline: June
Florida Fund for Minority Teachers Scholarship
- Who's Eligible? Minority students pursuing an education degree in Florida can apply for this award.
- Award Amount: $4,000
- Deadline: August and November
Gates Millennium Scholars Program
- Who's Eligible? Applicants must be minorities in the U.S. and looking to complete an undergraduate degree in any field or a postgraduate degree in one of seven specific disciplines, including education.
- Award amount: Varies
- Deadline: January
Tennessee Minority Teaching Fellows Program
- Who's Eligible? Applicants must be minorities, U.S. citizens, and Tennessee residents enrolled as juniors or seniors at an accredited four-year college and pursuing teaching certification. Recipients must commit to teaching in Tennessee for one year for each year they receive the award.
- Award amount: $4,000
- Deadline: April
William A. Crawford Minority Teacher Scholarship
- Who's Eligible? The Indiana Commission For Higher Education awards scholarships to African American and Hispanic students planning to teach in Indiana for at least three years after college.
- Award Amount: Varies
- Deadline: August
Teaching Scholarships for Special Education
Future teachers aiming for a special education endorsement can apply for scholarships that target special education students.
Epsilon Sigma Alpha Scholarship
- Who's Eligible? This scholarship, sponsored by the Epsilon Sigma Alpha sorority, is open to any applicants currently enrolled in an accredited college or university studying special education.
- Award amount: $500-$2,500
- Deadline: Varies
James F. Reville Scholarship
- Who's Eligible? This scholarship, sponsored by The Arc NY Foundation, aids those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is open to full-time college students studying special education or a related field.
- Award amount: $3,000
- Deadline: January
Mary A. McDowell Fellowship
- Who's Eligible? The Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sponsors this scholarship for any student enrolled in an accredited college or university majoring in Special Education.
- Award amount: Varies
- Deadline: Varies
Teaching Scholarships for Early Childhood Education
Many scholarships help early childhood education majors pay for their schooling. Learn more about top programs that offer bachelor's degrees in early childhood education.
Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program
- Who's Eligible? These scholarships support teachers enrolled in an associate, bachelor's, or master's degree program in early childhood education in Massachusetts.
- Award Amount: $250 per credit to a maximum of $4,500 per semester
- Deadline: August
Early Childhood Trainer Scholarship
- Who's Eligible? This scholarship is available to professionals studying early childhood education at an eligible college in Minnesota. Applicants must be certified through the Minnesota Center for Professional Development.
- Award Amount: Varies
- Deadline: December, May, and August
Scholarships for Master of Education Students
Licensed teachers with a master's degree typically earn higher salaries and enjoy more career opportunities than those with only a bachelor's degree. Students pursuing a master of education can also apply for several scholarships.
BHD Endowed Scholarships For Teachers
- Who's Eligible? Maryland residents (within 200 miles of Baltimore City) looking to switch careers to teaching can apply. Applicants must be pursuing a master's in education after earning a bachelor's degree in a non-teaching field. Applicants must have a combined family income under $90,000.
- Award amount: Up to $2,500
- Deadline: April
Donald L. Landry Graduate Scholarship
- Who's Eligible? This graduate scholarship is sponsored by the Massachusetts Reading Association. Applicants must be certified teachers applying for a master's in education to obtain reading specialist qualifications.
- Award amount: $1,000
- Deadline: February
William & Mary School of Education Scholarships
- Who's Eligible? Graduate students in the William & Mary School of Education are eligible for various scholarships.
- Award Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Varies
The Journalism Education Association's Future Teacher Scholarships
- Who's Eligible? Education students who intend to teach (or have taught) scholastic journalism are eligible to apply.
- Award Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: July
Rochester Urban Fellows/Rochester Youth Year Fellowship Scholarships
- Who's Eligible? At the University of Rochester, students applying to the Warner School of Education who are members of the Rochester Urban Fellows Program or the Rochester Youth Year Fellowship can qualify for partial tuition scholarships.
- Award Amount: One-third of tuition
- Deadline: Varies
Additional Financial Aid Resources
Financial Aid for Online Students
Financial aid for online students can help nontraditional learners pay for their degrees and reduce overall debt. Check out more financial aid resources for online students.
Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities
Education students with disabilities — and those who rely on social security benefits — face unique challenges when paying for schooling. Take 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. Review scholarships tailored to single parents.
Financial Aid for Veterans and Active Military
Many schools support veterans, active members of the military, and their families by offering financial aid resources, such as tuition discounts and scholarships. Find out more information on financial aid resources available to veterans and active members of the military.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships for Education Majors
Is an education degree worth it?
Whether or not an education degree is "worth it" is a personal decision depending on a variety of factors. If your dream is to teach at the elementary or high school level, and you have found a program you can feasibly finance, an education degree will likely be "worth it" for you. However, if you're unsure about becoming a teacher or will have to undergo a lot of financial stress to earn your degree, an education degree may not be worth it for you.
How can I make money with an education degree?
Once you have an education degree, you can begin looking for teaching positions in either a public or private school, depending on your state's teacher certification requirements. However, many states require you to earn a teaching license before teaching in public schools.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), high school teachers earn a median salary of $61,820 per year, about $15,000 more than the median annual wage for all occupations. Teachers in some states, or those with more specialized experience, may be able to earn more money. Salaries can also vary between public and private schools.
What education degree pays the most?
Your salary can vary significantly depending on what kind of teaching job you take on. The BLS reports that postsecondary teachers make more than elementary or high school teachers, earning nearly $20,000 more per year. However, you will likely need a graduate degree to work in postsecondary education. In comparison, many states allow you to work as a teacher after earning an undergraduate degree and a license. Salaries in non-teaching education fields, including school administration, can vary significantly between states and individual schools. Elementary, middle, and high school teachers often need a master's degree in school administration and earn a median annual salary of $98,420, according to the BLS.
What type of teacher is in highest demand?
The demand for teachers varies significantly depending on your location. However, science teachers and STEM educators are in high demand in many parts of the U.S. Special Education teachers are also frequently in demand, requiring specialized training and certification. However, teacher demand will vary by state, grade level, and public vs. private schools.
