UNESCO data estimates that the world will need close to 69 million new teachers across primary and secondary education by 2030 (less than 10 years from now!) in order to keep up with the increasing demands of the education sector.
So, if you're considering (or already planning on) becoming a teacher of any kind, good for you, our world certainly needs you!
While it certainly has its difficulties at times, the process towards becoming a teacher, as well as the act of actually teaching and working with kids, is without a doubt a rewarding one.
Getting an education-related degree, just like getting any other, can be expensive. Luckily, for students who are planning on becoming teachers of any and all kinds, there are lots of great education scholarships out there to help you achieve your goals.
In this post, I highlight some great education scholarships and grants for all kinds of students looking to become teachers. But first...
Generally, while an education degree is likely the easiest path to becoming a teacher because it teaches you HOW to teach and everything that goes with it.
However, you don't need to major in education as an undergraduate student in order to become a teacher.
The rules on this vary based on a number of things, such as:
If you want to teach in a public school system, you will have to obtain a teaching license or teaching credential in addition to obtaining your undergraduate degree (usually through a four-year program).
Because of this requirement, you can theoretically major in anything for your undergrad (although it should be relevant to what you want to teach), go on to get your credential, and be good to go!
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: January 31
Eligibility/Details:
Scholarship available to all education majors (undergraduate and graduate) currently attending institution of higher learning in the United States.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: February 2
Eligibility/Details:
-Open to high school seniors in Georgia who are planning on attending a Georgia college or university
-Minimum 3.0 GPA
Amount: $1,500
Deadline: February 11
Eligibility/Details:
-Must be a Vermont resident and a US citizen
-Must be seeking a certificate or license in special education
-Minimum 3.0 GPA
Amount: $24,000
Deadline: March 1
Eligibility/Details:
-Open to individuals desiring to become outstanding teachers of the American Constitution at the secondary school level
-Must be a US citizen
Amount: up to $5,000 per year
Deadline: March 1
Eligibility/Details:
-Must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen or meet the “undocumented student” criteria of the RISE Act
-Must be a resident of Illinois
-Must be a minority student of either African American/Black, Hispanic American, Asian American, or Native American origin
-Minimum 2.5 GPA
-Must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment at an Illinois institution of higher education in a course of study which, upon completion, qualifies you to be licensed as a preschool, elementary, or secondary school teacher
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: March 1
Eligibility/Details:
-Open to students who are currently enrolled in teacher education programs at Wisconsin institutions studying mathematics education
-Minimum 3.0 GPA
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: March 31
Eligibility/Details:
-Must be legally blind in both eyes
-For students planning on pursuing a career in education
Amount: $500 - $5,000
Deadline: April 5
Eligibility/Details:
-For undergraduate students and higher pursuing careers in public education
-Must be a member of one of the organizations listed on the scholarship page
-Open to international students
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: April 15
Eligibility/Details:
-Open to high school seniors and current college students planning to or currently majoring in Education
-Minimum 2.0 GPA
-Must show participation in JROTC or a team sport
Amount: $3,000
Deadline: May 1
Eligibility/Details:
-Minimum 3.0 GPA
-Must be a student member of NCTM
-Must be in your junior year of college
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: May 31
Eligibility/Details:
-For students pursuing a graduate degree and majoring in education for the purpose of teaching a STEM subject
-Must have completed a bachelors degree in a STEM major
Amount: N/A
Deadline: August 31
Eligibility/Details:
-Open to Black and Hispanic students who intend to pursue a course of study to be able to teach in an accredited school in Indiana
Amount: Varies
Deadline: August 31
Eligibility/Details:
-Open to STEM undergraduate majors and professionals who have goals of becoming effective K-12 STEM teachers
Amount: $4,000
Deadline: September 1
Eligibility/Details:
-Preference will be given to applicants who plan to pursue a career in public library service
Amount: Varies
Deadline: October 12
Eligibility/Details:
-Must be a citizen or national of the United States of America at the time of application.
-Must meet the language requirements of the award to which you are applying and demonstrate sufficient competency to complete your project and adjust to life in the host country.
-Must have a conferred bachelor’s degree or equivalent before the start of the grant
Amount: up to $4,000
Deadline: October 31
Eligibility/Details:
-Must be enrolled as an undergraduate, postbaccalaureate, or graduate student at a school that participates in the TEACH Grant Program
-Minimum 3.25 GPA
-Must file the FAFSA
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: November 15
Eligibility/Details:
-Open to college juniors and seniors as well as graduate students
-Must have a declared major in elementary education
Amount: $10,000 per year
Deadline: December 31
Eligibility/Details:
-Open to recent high school graduates with a passion for teaching
-Scholars must agree to teach in a West Virginia public school in an area of critical need (math, science, elementary education or special education) for a period of five years after graduating from college
-The scholarship may be used at any eligible West Virginia public or private, non-profit college or university offering West Virginia Board of Education-approved teacher preparation programs in math, science, elementary education, or special education
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Eligibility/Details:
-Open to Florida residents
-Must be a college junior or senior or a graduate school student participating in a state-approved teacher education program
Amount: $6,780
Deadline: N/A
Eligibility/Details:
-Awards are made to students attending school at the undergraduate and/or graduate degree level in exchange for five years of full-time employment as math or science teachers in secondary education in New York State
-Must be a US citizen
-Minimum 2.5 GPA
If you've read through this blog post and you're still looking for more education scholarships beyond the ones I've featured, you're in luck!
You can start by heading over to my scholarship search and entering your information. Don't forget to input "Education" or "Special Education" for the major so you get results that are as specific to Education as possible!
After that, you can get creative with your search by leveraging the organizations that are listed above, along with our good friend Google, to find even more education scholarships that you might be eligible to apply for.