Future Female Educators Scholarship 

For those who qualify, there is the Future Female Educators Scholarship. The great news with this grant is that any female-identifying graduate student, undergraduate, or high school senior who will be working on an education degree at an accredited university may apply for this scholarship. This gives everyone that same opportunity if you are a female, as the person in front or behind you. Another major plus is that the main purpose of this scholarship is set to ensure that students who want to become teachers have the necessary funding to do so, in turn supporting female-identifying students who are studying education.

The Harry Passow Classroom Teacher Scholarship

There is also the opportunity for a grant that is specific to teachers who teach gifted students. The Harry Passow Classroom Teacher Scholarship award is available for U.S. college graduate students who are currently teaching K-12 gifted education. Students who apply for this grant must have been a member of the National Association for Gifted Children for one year or more and be returning to college to receive advanced training in a gifted education program.  

For this award the successful nominee(s) will each receive a scholarship to reimburse costs up to $2,000 annually, non-renewable. The lucky candidate will receive half the scholarship when the award is given in November at the NAGC Annual Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, and the remaining half of the scholarship upon receipt of an official transcript and a two-page review of his/her coursework. The NAGC website lists additional details for any students are interested. The total dollars awarded for this scholarship is $4,000. 

Additional Financial Assistance Opportunities 

Federal TEACH Grant 

One program that may be able to assist with financial concern is the TEACH Grant. There are a few steps involved in earning this grant. A TEACH Grant is known as a program of study that is designed to prepare someone to teach as a highly qualified teacher in a highly needed field and that leads to a bachelor’s or master’s degree or is a post-baccalaureate program.  

Schools participating in the TEACH Grant Program are responsible for determining which programs they offer are TEACH-Grant-eligible. A program that is TEACH Grant-eligible at one school might not be TEACH-Grant-eligible at another school. Enrolling students are strongly urged to contact the financial aid office at the school they are attending, or are thinking about attending, to find out which programs at that school are eligible. 

All candidates must complete one four-year service obligation for all TEACH Grants that a student receives for undergraduate study, and one four-year service obligation for all TEACH Grants they would receive for a graduate study program. If a student has more than one service obligation, the same teaching service can sometimes satisfy some or all of each obligation.

Each year you receive a TEACH Grant, recipients must sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve that will be available electronically on a Department of Education website.  

The TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve specifies the conditions under which the grant will be awarded, the teaching service requirements, and includes an acknowledgment by the educator pursuing the grant, that they understand that if they do not meet the teaching service requirements they must repay the grant as a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, with interest accrued from the date the grant funds were disbursed.

The Department of Education website and helpline in your state can help explain more in-depth the requirements of this grant as well as lead you in the right direction for assistance. The financial aid office may also be a great resource to seek assistance on if you qualify. 

Seek out Financial Supports 

Additional information on these scholarships, grant, and more that may apply to those looking can be found on any department of education website. There are several opportunities to earn scholarships and the more that you are willing to reach out, the more information you will be able to find.

Sometimes, taking a few minutes to look into a possibility can be all it takes to help the financial burden of continuing your education. It also may give you an opportunity that you might not otherwise have. 

Interested in taking your next step with a grad degree? Check out our educator’s blog and 190+ available masters, doctorates, endorsements, and certifications to advance your career today!

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How Common are Graduate School Scholarships?

Graduate school scholarships are less prevalent and more accessible to receive than undergraduate scholarships. This does not mean they are impossible, however. Thousands of graduate-level scholarships are available; you just need to know where to look. Graduate scholarships are often listed on a school’s financial aid webpage, so that is a good place to start.

Here is just one list of potential scholarships available to graduate-level students. Graduate scholarships are typically awarded based on academic and professional achievements. They are separate from grants, however, which are based on financial need. Be sure to check if the scholarship(s) are available to all graduate students as opposed to only master’s students, as this is sometimes the case. You can always contact the provider directly to confirm whether you are eligible for a scholarship.

Myths and Facts about Graduate School Scholarships 

Don’t let yourself be a victim of scholarship misinformation! We’ve debunked the following common misconceptions about graduate school scholarships:

Scholarships are based on your financial status.

This is not true. Scholarships are based on achievements, as opposed to grants, which are awarded based on finances.

It’s too hard to apply for scholarships.

Each scholarship will have different requirements, so just because one requires you to jump through a lot of hoops to apply for doesn’t mean they all will be like that. And while there typically are a series of steps you must go through when filling out a scholarship application, it’s usually not more arduous than applying for graduate school. Plus, the payoff should be worth it! Just read the directions thoroughly and keep a spreadsheet to stay organized if you’re applying for more than one scholarship.

It’s not worth it to apply for small scholarships.

If someone handed you $500 on the street, would you turn it down because it’s not “enough”? A little bit goes a long way! Many people avoid the smaller scholarships because they don’t think the payoff is worth it, but it’s better than nothing! $500 can cover your books for an entire semester. Plus, sometimes smaller scholarships are easier because so many people believe they’re not worth it, so there’s less competition. Which brings me to my next myth…

Scholarships are too competitive.

There are literally over one million scholarships available. A few of them are indeed highly competitive, but the majority of them are not. Don’t let this common myth keep you from receiving free money! Do your research and follow the directions carefully; this will already set you apart from other students who rush through the application process.

Scholarships are suitable for all four years of school.

Don’t make the mistake that just because you were awarded a scholarship once means you’ll get it every year. Read the fine print; some scholarships require you to apply for them yearly. Also, make sure you continue to fit the criteria for the scholarship each year, and that you don’t do something that makes you ineligible.

How to Increase Your Chances of Getting a Graduate School Scholarship

Do your research.

We touched on this several times above, but a million scholarships are available. There’s no reason why you wouldn’t qualify for at least one, and likely more than one. Take the time to research your options, and don’t forget to check local sources. Often, community groups and organizations offer scholarships, and you’re more likely to receive them if you’re local to the community. Oftentimes, people overlook these, and then no one applies, and the money goes to waste that year! That money could be yours if you try to search for it.

Stay organized.

We recommend applying for more than one scholarship, but this can get confusing since the requirements for scholarships are generally different. Some might require you to write an essay, while others have a written application, and others might want professional references. We suggest creating a scholarship spreadsheet that lists all the scholarships you’re applying for, plus their individual requirements. Then, you can check off the boxes as you complete each requirement. You want to take advantage of a financial opportunity just because you forgot to complete part of the application.

Don’t skip the small ones.

They really do add up, and you can apply for as many as you want! A handful of small scholarships could pay for your books, your room and board, supplies, and more!

Here is another great resource to call on if you’re trying to find scholarship opportunities; enter your information and be amazed at the scholarships available! Happy hunting!

Educators never stop learning; check out our available graduate degree programs  to hone your skills and promote lifelong learning and academic excellence.

*Updated February 2024

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