Scholarships for Education Majors
In 2013, approximately 3.5 million full-time elementary and secondary school teachers worked in the United States. Over 75% of public school teachers were women, and over half of all teachers held a master's degree. The vast majority of these teachers earned their degree in an education field.
Over 75% of public school teachers were women, and over half of all teachers held a master's degree.
Education is one of the most common majors for both undergraduates and graduate students. There are a number of reasons for the popularity of education programs, one of which is convenience. It's relatively easy for students to combine a master's or bachelor's program with a teaching certificate, allowing them to naturally transition from college to their professional career.
Financial Assistance for Education Majors
Federal Student Aid is the largest student financial aid provider in the nation, providing more than $150 billion to over 13 million students each year. To see if you are eligible for Federal Student Aid, and to help colleges determine your eligibility for financial aid, you must fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
Qualifying students can pursue various federal and state loans. The Direct Loan Program offers Subsidized Loans, Unsubsidized Loans, PLUS Loans, and Consolidation Loans, which are tendered by the Department of Education. Alternatively, students with substantial financial need can qualify for the Federal Perkins Loan Program, which is lended by the school.
After graduation, loan forgiveness programs can help teachers mitigate or cancel the repayment of their education loans. The Federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program provides up to $17,500 in loan forgiveness for teachers who work in low-income schools for five consecutive years. Similarly, the Federal Perkins Loan Cancellation forgives up to 100% of loans for teachers working in low-income areas. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program will pay the remaining balance on Direct Loans after you make 120 monthly loan payments, as long as you work for a qualifying employer. Graduates can also pursue a number of state and city loan forgiveness opportunities.
Grants for Teachers
- TEACH Grant
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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 (AmeriCorp)
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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.
- Troops to Teachers
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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, 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, which narrows who can win specific scholarships.
Many education-based scholarships have specific requirements, based on the teacher's demographic, education specialization, their teaching experience, or some other factor. Below, you will find our full list of education scholarships, tailored to suit teachers from all 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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
Teaching Scholarships for Minorities
- 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 .
Teaching Scholarships for Special Education
- 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 - 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 - 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
Teaching Scholarships for 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 - 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 - 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 - 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
Scholarships for Master of Education Students
- 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 - 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 - 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 - 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