Financial Aid For Education Majors

One of two graduate school scholarships for teachers the ACS offers, this award benefits students pursuing a chemistry teaching career. Applicants need a bachelor’s in chemistry and one year of related professional experience.

Award: $3,000 – $6,000
Deadline: April 1

Aspiring K-12 STEM teachers can apply for this scholarship. Applicants must hold a STEM-related degree and attend an accredited graduate program. Application essays invite students to discuss their teaching philosophies and explain how their goals align with AFCEA’s mission.

Award: $2,500
Deadline: May 31

This scholarship for future teachers benefits active members of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity (TKE). Applicants should demonstrate leadership experience within their school, community, or TKE chapter. They must also hold a minimum 3.0 GPA and attend an undergraduate program in education or science.

Award: Varies
Deadline: March 15

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) sponsors this merit-based scholarship for students over age 25 pursuing a career in elementary education. Applicants need a minimum 3.5 GPA and must be attending an accredited institution as sophomores, juniors, or seniors.
Award: $1,500
Deadline: January 31

This award caters to students over age 25 with a minimum 3.5 GPA. Applicants must qualify as sophomores or above in an accredited program. The scholarship does not automatically renew, but recipients can reapply as long as they continue to meet the scholarship criteria.

Award: $1,500
Deadline: January 31

The Journalism Education Association awards two annual scholarships for education majors planning to teach high school journalism. Open to graduate students as well as junior and senior bachelor’s candidates, these scholarships require applicants to describe their career goals in journalism education, answer essay questions, and submit recommendations and transcripts.

Award: $1,000
Deadline: July 15

This fellowship offers first-year Meredith College education majors enrichment opportunities, including mentorship, volunteer and study abroad programs, and monthly seminars. Applicants must submit essays, resumes, and references. The college encourages high school seniors interested in the fellowship program to apply as early-action candidates.

Award: Varies
Deadline: To be scheduled

Open to National Council of Teachers of Mathematics student members, this scholarship funds aspiring secondary mathematics teachers. Applicants must hold a minimum 3.0 GPA and sophomore standing. They must also provide a budget detailing how they intend to use scholarship funds across the remaining two years of their program.

Award: $10,000
Deadline: May 1

Graduate and undergraduate education students may qualify for this merit-based scholarship. The National Institute for Labor Relations Research, which sponsors the award, expects recipients to demonstrate interest in its work. Applicants must submit an essay discussing the principles of voluntary unionism and the problems of compulsory unionism.

Award: $1,000
Deadline: January 31

This scholarship program supports Texas students pursuing teaching careers in high-need, in-state schools. Each year, the program awards 100 renewable scholarships for education majors at its 11 partner institutions. Benefits include career development opportunities and a local educator mentorship program. Recipients must maintain full-time enrollment and a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Award: $8,000
Deadline: February 5

College counselors and financial aid officers can guide students toward scholarships tailored to their backgrounds and interests. Online scholarship databases and scholarship matching tools provide many more options. Students should also find out what institutional scholarships their college offers, and how to apply.

Additional potential scholarship sources include employers, community foundations, high school PTAs, alumni associations, religious groups, and professional organizations. While they may provide smaller awards, local scholarships typically offer less competition than national scholarships.

Once students compile a scholarship list, they can decide how to prioritize applications. Spreadsheets help keep the list organized and facilitate easy sorting.

Need-based and merit-based awards represent the two major scholarship categories. However, scholarships frequently incorporate both criteria. Many scholarships focus on leadership skills, community service experience, academic merit, or particular sports or hobbies. Others support learners of specific personal, cultural, or ethnic backgrounds. Scholarships may also support students pursuing a specific course of study, such as education.

To avoid wasted effort, students should determine that they fulfill all scholarship criteria before applying. Tailoring the application, particularly any essays, can increase students’ chances of receiving the scholarship. For example, students applying for teacher scholarships might highlight their experience working with children.

Many students begin preparing for scholarship applications their junior year in high school, but some initiate the process earlier. Allowing as much time as possible for each phase of the application process reduces stress and produces more effective results.

As essays and personal statements form a crucial factor in scholarship committees’ decisions, students should make sure to give themselves ample time to polish their writing. Before scholarship deadlines, applicants shouldcomplete the FAFSA and gather materials such as financial statements, test scores, and transcripts. They should also request reference letters well in advance.

Before submitting scholarship applications, students should thoroughly review the application requirements. Scholarship committees typically require strict adherence to deadlines. Completing applications before final deadlines provides a time cushion to resolve any unforeseen challenges.

Students should also ask another person to review their applications before finalizing them. Friends and family members may be able to help. High school guidance counselors and college advisors may also provide their expertise, especially if given plenty of notice.

Some scholarships may set a deadline by which recipients must formally accept their awards. Students should make sure to note any acceptance deadlines and take all necessary steps to accept their funding in time.

In some cases, scholarship recipients must meet certain stipulations to keep or renew their awards. These stipulations can include maintaining full-time attendance, attending scholarship organization events, or serving as an ambassador for the opportunity or its sponsor. Following through on these commitments remains important, even after the sponsor has disbursed scholarship funds.