12 teacher scholarships and how to apply for them

• Education degrees encompass a range of levels, from bachelor’s degrees in education to doctoral degrees.
• Specialized teacher scholarships and grants exist to assist aspiring teachers in their educational journey and support their financial needs. These include federal grants and scholarships from professional organizations. 

It’s no exaggeration that education is a vital profession. Great teachers make a huge impact in the lives of their students, teaching skills needed to thrive.

Before providing an education, however, one must get an education. Education degrees span a number of levels, ranging from bachelor’s degrees in education to doctoral degrees. A degree is usually a prerequisite to work in the profession, and a degree in education can offer the specialized training that helps teachers flourish in the classroom.

There’s a cost associated with getting an education, however, and the higher the degree, often the higher the cost. But financial aid options, like scholarships, can help mitigate these costs. That’s why we’ve compiled the following teacher scholarships for education majors. We cover everything from education scholarships to U.S. Department of Education grants, so if you’re looking for financial aid to help you pursue your education in teaching, this list is for you!

Note that not all of the scholarships on this list may be available to University of Phoenix students. If you're interested in attending the University, please contact an enrollment representative to learn about available options. 

Students pursuing a graduate degree or licensure to teach STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and math) in K-12 schools can apply for this teacher scholarship. Recipients each get $2,500 to apply toward their education.

Eligible candidates may attend online institutions and must be:

• U.S. citizens residing in the United States
• Majoring in education with the intent to teach STEM subjects in a U.S. school in grades K-12
• At least in their second semester of graduate study

• Applications are accepted starting Jan. 1
• Applicants are required to submit:
  • Current official transcript issued by their school’s registrar's office
  • Two letters of recommendation from faculty in their field of study
  • Current resumé
  • Undergraduate transcript (either official or unofficial)
  • If currently employed as a teacher, one additional letter from the school principal

AMS emphasizes an alternative, “child-centered” approach to education. It offers a number of awards and scholarships for future educators who wish to pursue the Montessori approach to education. 

Eligible candidates must be:

• Accepted, in the process of being accepted or already enrolled in a teacher education program affiliated with AMS
• Pursuing credentials in infant and toddler, early childhood, elementary or secondary levels

• Review the AMS TE scholarship guidelines for online submission
• Provide a personal statement
• Complete necessary forms such as the downloadable Verification of TEP Acceptance and financial statement
• Submit a 2021 income tax form
• Include three letters of recommendation

AAE offers scholarships and grants for educators. Each $500 teacher scholarship can be applied to expenses like books, workshops and conferences. Those who receive the classroom grant can use the funds to purchase such materials as software, calculators and lab equipment. 

To be eligible, candidates must:

• Be a full-time educator
• Not have received a grant or scholarship from AAE in the past two years
• Apply to state-specific competitions if they live in Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Oregon or Washington

•  Apply through the AAE website
• Provide the school name and district where you work
• Provide the name and contact information of your school’s principal
• Provide a proposal of the professional development opportunities that the funds will be applied to

This scholarship focuses on first-generation students, whether they’re high school seniors, undergraduates or graduate students, who wish to pursue a career in K-12 education. 

• Prompt response of 500-800 words to the following question: College can be challenging, from filling out financial aid to enrolling in classes, choosing a major, and making new friends. As a first generation college student, what challenges have you faced and how did you overcome it?
• Color headshot suitable for website posting
• Educator recommendation letter
• Academic resume
• Current Transcript (can be official or unofficial)

Established by Congress in 1986, the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation offers a $24,000 fellowship to educators who plan to pursue their master’s degree in education and teach the U.S. Constitution at the secondary level. When funding permits, the fellowship is offered to one applicant in each state. 

Eligible candidates must:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be a teacher or plan to become a teacher, of American history, American government or civics and teach topics on the Constitution at the secondary school level (grades 7–12)
• Possess a bachelor’s degree or plan to receive a bachelor’s degree no later than Aug. 31 of the year in which you are applying
• Attend a master’s program that includes 12 semesters of constitutional study

• Apply on the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation website
• Submit a proposal of graduate study that focuses on constitutional education
• Provide college transcripts

This scholarship is awarded to college students who are studying to become elementary school teachers. 

Eligible candidates must:

• Be a junior, senior or graduate student with a declared major in education.
• Demonstrate an interest in elementary school education 

• Complete an application on the Nancy Larson Foundation website
• Provide an official transcript
• Offer a resumé with employment history (including any paid or unpaid experience working with children)
• Submit an essay on how your personal experiences will benefit you in your future career

Ranging from $1,500 to $24,000, these grants are available to current and prospective educators in mathematics. 

While each grant has its own eligibility requirements, here are some general requirements:

• Must be a math teacher in a PK-12 classroom
• Must have achieved (or be in the process of achieving) licensure
• Must be a member of NCTM

• There are two application periods: Feb. 1 to May 1, and Aug. 16 to Nov. 1
• Provide a grant-specific project proposal with budget
• Include a resumé with prior teaching experience
• Apply on the NCTM portal

Focused on providing resources to blind students in the United States and Puerto Rico, these merit-based scholarships are awarded for “academic excellence, community service and leadership.” 

Eligible candidates must:

• Be legally blind in both eyes
• Reside in the United States, the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico
• Be at least 18 years of age by the deadline
• Be pursuing or plan to pursue a full-time, postsecondary course of study in a degree program at a U.S. institution in the fall of the year of application
• Participate in the entire NFB National Convention and in all of its scheduled scholarship program activities

• Apply online
• Include an essay that’s a maximum length of 700 words
• Provide at least one letter of recommendation
• Provide a transcript from all postsecondary institutions attended
• Provide proof of legal blindness
• Submit to an interview with a scholarship representative 

This program offers more than 100 education scholarships to those interested in a career in teaching. These range from $500 for high school students to $4,000 for the pursuit of a master’s degree or a doctorate in education. Funds can be used for tuition, fees, and room and board.

Eligible candidates must:

• Maintain a membership in Educators Rising, Educators Rising Collegiate,  Pi Lambda Theta and/or PDK Association
• Be pursuing a career in public education
• Be enrolled in higher education full time or part time for the fall semester of the application year

• Provide a letter of recommendation
• Submit your most recent transcript
• Apply online

Teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) International empowers educators in the field of English language teaching both in the United States and around the world. These scholarships are each $1,500. Recipients also receive free registration to the next year’s TESOL convention to present their completed graduate study project. 

Eligible candidates must:

• Maintain a TESOL membership
• Be a graduate student enrolled in a TESOL/TEFL graduate program, or one that’s relevant to the association
• Plan to pursue a graduate study project on a topic relevant to TESOL or teaching English as a foreign language

• Propose a graduate study project that articulates clear goals
• Demonstrate a financial need to complete the study project
• Include a resumé of relevant education and experience
• Submit two essays that explain the goal of your graduate study project and how the award will help finance the project
• Provide a letter of recommendation 

This federal education grant awards up to $4,000 annually to qualifying students who are pursuing study in education. 

Eligible candidates must:

• Enroll in a TEACH Grant-eligible program of study at a school participating in the TEACH grant program
• Agree to teach full time for at least four years in a “high-need field at a low-income elementary school, secondary school or educational service agency.”

• Complete a FAFSA^® form
• Provide Social Security and federal tax information
• Submit information on your current financial status, including checking account balances and other assets  
• You can find more information at studentaid.gov

Working on behalf of the Black college community since 1987, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) provides scholarships and opportunities to students attending HBCUs (historically Black colleges and universities) and PBIs (predominantly Black institutions). These scholarships cover a number of necessities, like closing the financial gap of those struggling to graduate, as well as tuition, boarding and fees. 

Scholarship eligibility varies according to the requirements of each award. Here are some general requirements:

• Must be a prospective or current full-time student at a TMCF-member school
• Must maintain a scholarship-specific GPA requirement
• Demonstrate financial need
• Submit a FAFSA for the member school
• Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident of the U.S.

More information on what you’ll need to apply for these grants can be found on the TMCF scholarship application portal.

That’s our list of 13 scholarships for education majors to help you map out your financial future — so the students of tomorrow have teachers who are up to the task.

Finding the perfect scholarship is one thing. Writing the essay is another. Get the scoop on how to do it well.