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If you plan to pursue a teaching degree, there are several resources you can research to help gather funds to pay for higher education expenses. 

Why wouldn’t organizations want to promote quality teachers among the next generation of college students?  

The best way to do that is to offer scholarships and grants, and there are many opportunities out there. 

From pursuing scholarships on the local level, to researching national opportunities, diversity scholarships and specialized teaching scholarships, there is a lot you can do to maximize your potential to earn some money for college. 

Whether you are just beginning your teaching degree or are pursuing a Masters in Education or Teaching – or even if you are pursing a degree in Special Education teaching, there are opportunities out there for you. 

The following hints will set you on the right path when searching for teaching scholarships and grants.

Check Locally

 

By far the best resource when locating teaching scholarships would be the local level. Checking with a financial aid advisor at your school will yield teaching scholarships offered by your school or the state you are attending college in. 

Typically, state and school-specific teaching scholarships are often much smaller than national scholarships, but don’t let that fact deter you from applying. 

You’ll encounter much less competition when you apply for scholarships at the state or school level. Even though the awards might be smaller, you can combine state or school awards with national awards if you win any. 

If you have been attending school and are close to graduating, you may also want to speak with a financial aid advisor about any student loan forgiveness programs offered on the federal level, as well as scholarships that can help with living expenses while you are completing your student teaching assignment. 

What’s more, your school’s financial aid counselor can also direct you to national teaching scholarship opportunities that you’re eligible for.

National Teaching Scholarships

 

There are several professional organizations and companies on the national level that offer teaching scholarships to eligible students. 

For example, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards offer several scholarship opportunities for teachers across the nation. 

According to their website, scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. You can apply for several scholarships listed on their website, and you will be notified by postal mail of your eligibility status. 

If you are not chosen to receive a scholarship, you will be notified and placed on a waiting list. 

The Kyle and Eula Jones Student Teaching Scholarship presents a unique opportunity to undergraduate students who will teach an entire semester in elementary or secondary education. 

Scholarships will be awarded based on the documented financial need of the student, student’s potential teaching ability, letters of recommendation and grade point average. 

One student will receive an award of $1,500 and there are several eligibility requirements you must meet in order to apply. 

For further information, please visit the website.

School-Specific Scholarships

 

San Francisco State University offers several scholarships to students interested in pursuing a teaching degree. 

If you plan on pursuing a Masters in Special Education teaching, the Dorothy B. Lucas Special Education Scholarship might be helpful. 

One award is issued each semester, during the Fall and Spring. Applicants must be a graduate student pursuing an M.A. in Special Education, with a concentration in one of several fields. Applicants must also hold a minimum GPA of 3.5 to apply. 

For further eligibility requirements, please visit the website. 

Other teaching scholarships offered by SFSU include the Alpha Delta Kappa Scholarship, awarded to a classified credential or graduate student in Elementary or Secondary education. 

Applicants must plan on teaching in California, and two recipients are chosen in the Spring semester (one for Elementary education, one for Secondary education.) 

The Dorothy Westby-Gibson Scholarship offered by SFSU can also be helpful for graduate students in Adult Education. 

Fall and Spring semester awards are available, and students must be enrolled in at least 6 units during the semester of the award. 

The Missouri-Columbia College of Education also offers teaching scholarships in a variety of disciplines for students enrolled there. 

Both undergraduate and graduate students can find opportunities. The Sterl Artley Scholarship is awarded to a graduate student with preference given to students majoring in Reading education. 

The Helen M. Barrett Memorial Scholarship awards students with high scholastic standing who are majoring in education and can demonstrate extreme financial need. 

The Flora E. Davidson Fund also offers undergraduate students pursuing a teaching degree, while majoring in elementary education, a scholarship opportunity. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need.

Other Teaching Scholarships

 

In addition to local and national opportunities, as well as school-specific scholarships, there are private organizations that offer teaching scholarships to eligible applicants as well. 

StraightForward Media offers four scholarships per year to students interested in pursuing a teaching career. 

The goal behind StraightForward Media’s teacher scholarships is to enhance the pool of quality teachers across the nation. 

You can apply directly online for a teaching scholarship, and awards are in the amount of $500. At the time of this writing, the current deadline is October 14. 

The American Federation of Teachers is an excellent resource for scholarship opportunities and loan forgiveness programs across the United States. 

They have a list of scholarship opportunities broken down by state, and scholarships are offered in a variety of teaching disciplines. 

If you are interested in these opportunities, please visit the respective websites for further details.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many opportunities available to students who are pursuing teaching degrees to earn money for college. 

Whether you search for scholarships on the local level, obtain a scholarship from a national organization or win a monetary award from a private organization, there are many resources available to help you pursue your educational goals. 

Taking the time to research your options and applying for all scholarships you are eligible for will maximize your chances of obtaining at least some money for college. 

Good luck!