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.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do you pay for a degree in education?
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Students can access many different forms of financial aid, such as scholarships, grants, and fellowships. Federal grants are usually awarded to those demonstrating financial need, while scholarships are typically merit-based awards.
- Are there many scholarships available for education majors?
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Due to a nationwide shortage of teachers and other education professionals, many private organizations offer scholarships for education majors. These scholarships may also be tailored to candidates from underserved populations — such as people of color and LGBTQ+ students — to help their advancement.
- Where can I find scholarships for education degrees?
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You can find scholarships for education majors in online databases of scholarships and grants. Additionally, the websites of professional organizations for teachers and other education professionals typically offer scholarships or promote awards from other organizations.
- Are there grants for education degree students?
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Education majors may benefit from many federally funded grants opportunities. These are usually awarded based on financial need, which can make it easier for nontraditional students, first-generation college students, and students from underserved areas or populations to find aid.
- How do I qualify for an education degree scholarship?
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Most education scholarships only allow U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years old to apply. You may position yourself favorably for a scholarship by showing outstanding academic and personal merit by maintaining a high GPA and engaging in extracurricular activities.
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.
Seeking financial aid begins with filling out your FAFSA. This allows the federal government to gauge your level of need.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Teach for America (AmeriCorp)
Teachers accepted into Teach for America can apply for a financial package to help launch their career. Packages are granted based on teaching location and financial need.
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Troops to Teachers
Certain current and former U.S. armed forces members are eligible for Troops to Teachers (TTT), a Department of Defense program that supports prospective teachers who meet specific education and military service requirements.
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.
Featured Teaching Scholarships
- Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship
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Who's Eligible? This teaching scholarship, available to West Virginia undergraduate students, requires recipients to work within the West Virginia school system for a period of two years for each year the scholarship is received.
Award Amount: Up to $10,000, renews annually for up to 4 years
Deadline: Priority given to applications submitted before January
View Scholarship - PDK Educational Foundation Scholarship Program
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Who's Eligible? The Phi Delta Kappa International Education Foundation awards scholarships for future teachers. High school seniors and current undergraduates pursuing careers in education must be members of Educators Rising to apply.
Award Amount: $500-$5,000
Deadline: April
View Scholarship - American Montessori Society Teacher Education Scholarships
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Who's Eligible? Students planning to become Montessori teachers can apply for teaching scholarships through the American Montessori Society (AMS). In 2019, AMS awarded a total of $28,000 to 20 applicants.
Award Amount: Varies
Deadline: May
View Scholarship - Hispanic Scholarship Fund
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Who's Eligible? Hispanic undergraduates with a 2.5 GPA or better are eligible to apply.
Award Amount: $500-$5,000
Deadline: February
View Scholarship - STEM Teacher Scholarships
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Who's Eligible? The AFCEA Educational Foundation awards scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing an education degree in a STEM field.
Award Amount: $2,500-$5,000
Deadline: May
View Scholarship - The Applegate-Jackson-Parks Future Teacher Scholarship
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Who's Eligible? This scholarship is for undergraduate and graduate students majoring in education. The award will go to applicants who demonstrate an understanding of voluntary and compulsory unionism in relation to education; an application essay is required.
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: January
View Scholarship - Inspire Our Future Scholarship
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Who's Eligible? Education majors in early childhood education, education administration, and special education programs are encouraged to apply.
Award Amount: $500
Deadline: April
View Scholarship - Carroll C. Hall Memorial Scholarship
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Who's Eligible? Undergraduate education majors in the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity are eligible for this scholarship. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA.
Award Amount: $400
Deadline: March
View Scholarship - John and Agnes McFarlane Scholarship
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Who's Eligible? This scholarship supports Ventura County residents pursuing a degree in a public service field, including education. Graduates from high schools in Ventura County who are enrolled in a college in California are eligible apply.
Award Amount: $2,500 for community college students and $5,000 for 4-year university students
Deadline: January
View Scholarship
Teaching Scholarships for Minorities
Scholarship funds and awards for 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 minority students.
- American Council of the Blind Scholarship Program
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Who's Eligible? In partnership with the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), the American Council of the Blind (ACB) offers several scholarships for education majors who are blind or visually impaired. Applicants need to be legally blind, be a full-time student with a 3.0 GPA, and be involved in their school or community.
Award Amount: $2,000-$7,500
Deadline: February
View Scholarship - Gates Millennium Scholars Program
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Who's Eligible? Minorities can apply for this large scholarship program, which awards 1,000 students with financial support each year. Applicants must have a 3.3 GPA or better (or have earned a GED), and qualify for the Federal Pell Grant.
Award Amount: Varies
Deadline: January
View Scholarship - The CSDIW Native American Scholarship
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Who's Eligible? Enrolled members of Native American tribes pursuing education degrees can apply to be awarded one of two annual scholarships. Undergraduates must work with Native American students post-graduation.
Award Amount: $2,500 and $5,000
Deadline: June
View Scholarship - Ron Brown Scholars Program
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Who's Eligible? African American students in their senior year of high school are eligible for this scholarship. Prospective education students are encouraged to apply.
Award Amount: $40,000
Deadline: November
View Scholarship - Florida Fund for Minority Teachers Scholarship
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Who's Eligible? Minority students pursuing an education degree in Florida can apply to this award.
Award Amount: $4,000
Deadline: July and November
View Scholarship - Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program
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Who's Eligible? Minority students from Illinois in a college education program are encouraged to apply.
Award Amount: $5,000
Deadline: March
View Scholarship - William A. Crawford Minority Teacher Scholarship
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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
View Scholarship - Earline S. Rogers Student Teaching Stipend for Minorities
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Who's Eligible? The Indiana Commission For Higher Education offers funding to African American and Hispanic students who complete student teaching as part of their coursework.
Award Amount: Up to $4,000
Deadline: September and January
View Scholarship - University if Louisville Minority Teacher Scholarship Program
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Who's Eligible? This University of Louisville offers scholarships to full-time minority students earning a degree through their College of Education and Human Development (CEHD).
Award Amount: $5,000
Deadline: May, November, and April .
View Scholarship
Teaching Scholarships for Special Education
Future teachers aiming for a special education endorsement can apply for scholarships that target special education students.
- Illinois Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver (SETTW) Program
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Who's Eligible? Students and teachers from Illinois studying special education can apply for this scholarship. Undergraduate and graduate students are both eligible.
Award Amount: Four years of tuition
Deadline: March
View Scholarship - AASEA Memorial Scholarships
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Who's Eligible? These scholarships are awarded each year to education majors who plan to pursue fields related to special education for children in Arkansas. The application is open to juniors and seniors, as well as graduate students.
Award Amount: $2,000
Deadline: April
View Scholarship - The Carl J. Megel Special Education Scholarship
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Who's Eligible? The Illinois Federation of Teachers annually awards this scholarship to a high school senior enrolled in a bachelor's special education program.
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: March
View Scholarship
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.
- Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program
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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
Deadline: July
View Scholarship - Early Childhood Trainer Scholarship
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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: June
View Scholarship - Bright Futures National Scholarships
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Who's Eligible? Students studying early childhood education at the undergraduate or graduate level are eligible for this scholarship.
Award Amount: $250-$500
Deadline: May
View Scholarship - Early Childhood Development Scholarship
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Who's Eligible? Kentucky students earning an associate, bachelor's, or master's degree in early childhood education can apply.
Award Amount:Up to $1,800 per year
Deadline: April
View Scholarship
Scholarships for Master of Education Students
Licensed teachers with a master's degree typically earn higher salaries and enjoy more career opportunities than individuals who only hold a bachelor's degree. Students pursuing a master of education can also take advantage of several scholarships.
- PDK Educational Foundation Scholarship Program
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Who's Eligible? The Phi Delta Kappa International Education Foundation awards scholarships for future teachers. Current graduate students who are members of Educators Rising Collegiate, Pi Lambda Theta, and/or PDK Association can apply.
Award Amount: Varies
Deadline: June
View Scholarship - William & Mary School of Education Scholarships
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Who's Eligible? Graduate students in the William & Mary's School of Education are eligible for various scholarships.
Award Amount: Varies
Deadline: $1,000 and up
View Scholarship - The Journalism Education Association's Future Teacher Scholarships
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Who's Eligible? Education students who intend to teach (or have taught) scholastic journalism are eligible to apply.
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: July
View Scholarship - Rochester Urban Fellows/Rochester Youth Year Fellowship Scholarships
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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: September
View Scholarship
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.
