Whether you’re a novice educator or a seasoned one, securing scholarships in graduate education can facilitate your return to school, enhancing your teaching abilities. Graduate programs in education span a wide array of specializations, from special education and literacy instruction to educational leadership and beyond, catering to the diverse needs of today’s student body.
While monetary gain might not be your primary motivation for entering the teaching profession, obtaining a master’s or doctoral degree in education can pave the way for lucrative leadership opportunities within school districts.
To enrich your teaching practice and stay abreast of the latest pedagogical approaches, we’ve compiled a list of 15 top scholarships tailored for pursuing advanced studies in education.
Scholarships In Graduate Education
The AASA Scholarship
Every year, the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) provides Educational Administration Scholarships worth $2,500 each to five exceptional graduate students enrolled in master’s or doctoral programs focusing on school administration or educational leadership. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in an accredited graduate school in the United States, maintain good academic standing, and aspire to become school superintendents.
To apply, candidates need to submit their application along with a letter of recommendation from the dean of education, two professional endorsement letters, and a three-page statement outlining their educational administrative background and future career goals in superintendency.
The Alpha Delta Kappa scholarships
Since 1961, Alpha Delta Kappa has administered the International Teacher Education (ITE) initiative, granting $10,000 annual scholarships to non-U.S. students aspiring to pursue a master’s degree in education at an American university.
Eligible candidates are unmarried women without dependents, aged between 20 and 35, holding academic standing in the top quartile of their class, possessing a bachelor’s degree, and exhibiting the multifaceted qualities required for effective teaching. In addition to financial support, awardees will receive guidance from an Alpha Delta Kappa co-sponsor to aid in their transition.
The Applegate-Jackson-Parks Scholarship
The Applegate-Jackson-Parks Future Teacher Scholarship, established by the National Institute for Labor Relations Research (NILRR), honors three Michigan educators who lost their jobs due to their refusal to pay union fees.
This scholarship awards $1,000 to a graduate student pursuing an education major. Applicants must be enrolled in a U.S. higher education institution, hold a valid teaching license, and demonstrate academic excellence. To apply, students must submit a 500-word essay discussing their perspective on voluntary unionism within the education sector.
The BHD Scholarships
The Central Scholarship Foundation administers the BHD Endowed Scholarships for Teachers annually, awarding $2,500 each to graduate students holding undergraduate degrees in non-education fields who aspire to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree in teaching.
Applicants must be Maryland residents, hold a minimum overall GPA of 2.0, attend an accredited U.S. graduate school, reside within 200 miles of Baltimore, and have a declared graduate major related to education. Interested individuals must submit online applications along with official college transcripts, two letters of reference, and a brief personal essay outlining their aspirations in classroom teaching.
Scholarship Offered by Bound to Stay Bound Books
Administered by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), the Bound to Stay Bound Books (BTSB) Scholarship initiative aims to offer $7,000 per year to support the tuition expenses of four individuals, regardless of gender, who are committed to pursuing postgraduate studies in library and information science, school library media specialization, or library science administration.
Eligible candidates must be enrolled in a master’s program at a recognized graduate school in the United States, maintain satisfactory academic performance, and demonstrate a strong inclination toward working as school librarians serving children up to 14 years old.
Scholarship By Donald H. and Verna S. Duncan
Established by Phi Delta Kappa (PDK) International in honor of a past board member and a distinguished elementary educator, the Donald H. and Verna S. Duncan Fellowship is open to current student members pursuing a graduate degree in education at the master’s, specialist, or doctoral level.
Eligible candidates must be enrolled in an accredited graduate program in educational leadership within the United States, preparing to assume leadership roles in public preschools, elementary, middle, or high schools.
Prospective applicants are required to submit an online application along with their academic transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a 1,000-word essay outlining their vision for their future contributions as educational leaders.
Scholarships In Graduate Education
Scholarship By Dr. Marc Hull
The Dr. Marc Hull Special Education Leadership Scholarship, named after a former Vermont commissioner of education committed to ensuring fair educational opportunities for students with disabilities, is granted annually through the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) for $1,750.
Eligible candidates must reside in Vermont, be enrolled in a federally Title IV approved graduate school, hold a minimum GPA of 3.0, and pursue a master’s degree or post-graduate certificate in special education administration. Selection criteria include academic performance, career aspirations, leadership capabilities, essay submissions, and letters of recommendation.
The Hach Scholarship
Administered by the American Chemical Society (ACS), the Hach Second Career Teacher Scholarship aims to provide financial support for individuals transitioning into teaching after working in the chemistry field. The scholarship offers $6,000 for full-time study and $3,000 for part-time study, specifically for those pursuing a master’s degree in education. To qualify, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, possess at least one year of experience in a chemistry-related profession, be U.S. citizens, have been accepted into a master’s education program, and aspire to become certified as chemistry or science educators. Successful candidates can renew the scholarship for up to three years, helping to cover expenses such as tuition, books, and other educational costs.
Scholarship In Honor Of Harry Passow
The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) offers the Harry Passow Classroom Teacher Scholarship, providing up to $2,000 per year to two K-12 teachers who demonstrate exceptional teaching skills with gifted students in either homogeneous or heterogeneous classroom settings and require financial support to pursue graduate-level education.
Eligible applicants must submit a nomination form along with two letters of recommendation, evidence of acceptance into a gifted education program at an accredited U.S. university, an updated curriculum vitae, and a personal statement explaining why they are deserving of the scholarship.
Scholarship By James Madison
Each year, the James Madison Memorial Foundation offers a fellowship program providing financial support of up to $24,000 to prospective educators pursuing graduate degrees such as Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), or Master of Education (M.Ed.) with a focus on American history, government, or social studies.
To be eligible, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree, be accepted into an accredited graduate school in the United States, have limited or no prior teaching experience, and intend to become middle or high school teachers for grades 7-12. A commitment is required from recipients to participate in the Summer Institute on the Constitution and dedicate one academic year to teaching American history for each year of funding received.
Scholarship By Walter Jensen
Every year, the Walter Jensen Scholarship for Study Abroad, facilitated by the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF), offers $2,000 to support graduate education students enrolled in a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program in French, who are planning to pursue a study abroad experience in a Francophone country.
This scholarship covers expenses such as tuition, fees, travel, or housing costs. To be eligible, applicants must be non-native French speakers, hold U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, attend an accredited American graduate school, and be recommended by an AATF-member teacher. Additionally, applicants are required to submit a curriculum vitae, two letters of recommendation, and two one-page essays outlining their potential as future French educators.
The WW-RBF Scholarship
In collaboration with the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the Woodrow Wilson National Foundation administers the WW-RBF Fellowships for Aspiring Teachers of Color. These fellowships award a $30,000 stipend to eight deserving minority graduate students aiming to pursue careers as K-12 public school educators in the United States. Recipients benefit from financial support for tuition as they pursue a master’s degree in education at select graduate schools, along with professional mentorship and a three-year teaching commitment in either urban or rural school districts. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens, hold a bachelor’s degree, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, and possess a strong background in the arts and sciences.
The Spencer Dissertation Scholarship
The Spencer Dissertation Fellowship Program, administered by the National Academy of Education (NAE), is highly competitive, attracting around 600 applicants annually. It offers a $25,000 grant to doctoral students currently enrolled in accredited U.S. graduate schools, supporting research aimed at enhancing education. Successful candidates must possess a proven track record of research in education, be committed to educational research careers, and have fulfilled pre-dissertation requirements. To apply, applicants must submit a comprehensive dissertation project proposal alongside their online application.
Conclusion:
Over the past ten years, tuition fees at graduate schools across the country have surged by 60%. As a result, attending a public program in-state now costs approximately $30,000 per year, with private institutions being even more expensive. Consequently, to pursue advanced degrees in education, such as a master’s or doctoral degree, while minimizing loan burdens, you’ll likely need to seek various financial aid options. If you’re committed to advancing your expertise to access sought-after leadership roles within and beyond educational settings, consider applying for prestigious scholarships tailored for graduate education to support your studies financially.
