Three Easy Steps to Finding a Teaching Scholarship
PLUS Five Great Scholarships to Get You Started
Step 1. Find Schools You Want to Attend
Most colleges and universities offer fantastic scholarships. So the BEST way to search for scholarships is to narrow the list to include only those schools you’d most like to attend, then research their awards and financial aid options. Many scholarships from corporations and nonprofits also require detailed information about your academic plans, so it pays to decide where to apply before you ramp up your scholarship search.
Begin researching programs of study on TheApple now.
Step 2. Search for Scholarships
Many organizations and businesses offer scholarships for Bachelor’s and advanced degrees. Look into the following organizations, both in your area and nationally.
• Professional associations
• Your employer (Employee Based Awards)
• Scholarship-focused nonprofits
• Large corporations (Pepsi, Xerox, etc.)
• Foundations (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, etc.)
• Unions
• Advocacy and political organizations
• Religious organizations
• Social/community clubs and organizations
• Service organizations (Rotary, Elks, etc.)
Scholarship criteria vary widely. Some scholarships are earmarked for students pursuing specific careers; others may be regional, designated for applicants from a particular state or county. Typically, organizations and schools may offer scholarships to students who meet a set of criteria, which could include:
• Demonstrated commitment to community service or volunteer work
• Commitment to pursue a valued career, academic, or research interest
• Learning or physical disabilities
• Demonstrated commitment to fine arts or performing arts
• Demonstrated athletic achievement and talent
• Economic need
• Underrepresented minority group
• Student is a gender minority in their field of interest (Ex: male nurses)
• Birthplace (for students from a particular city, state, or country)
• Student is the first to go to college in their family
• Contest / essay contest winner
• Going back to school; single parent
• High academic achievement
• High standardized test scores
A good strategy is to determine the types of scholarships you may be eligible for and search specifically for those.
Which area(s) might you qualify under?
Here are some hand-picked scholarships that will get you started on your search: *
1. Siemens Foundation Teacher Scholarships* Up to $6000 for Minority Students Teaching Math and Science
http://www.siemens-foundation.org/en/teachers_scholarships.htm
2. Prospective Teacher Scholarship $4000 for Full-time students who have chosen to enter the education profession (graduate or undergraduate)
http://www.cfnc.org/Gateway?
3. Harry A. Applegate Scholarship $1000 Awarded each year to 20-25 undergraduate and graduate students who are members of DECA majoring in Education and other areas.
http://www.deca.org/student.html
4. Robert G. Porter Scholars Program $1000 Awarded each year to 4-10 undergraduate or graduate students who are AFT members for 1 year.
http://www.aft.org/
5. State Teacher Assistance Resource (STAR) Program $6000 for award. Applicant must maintain a 2.75 college GPA, be enrolled full time with an agreement to teach in an Arkansas school that has a critical shortage of teachers or with an agreement to teach in the fields of math, science, foreign language or special language.
http://www.arscholarships.com
Step 3. Apply for Lots of Scholarships – Don’t be Shy
Finding scholarship programs can be a time-consuming process. Unfortunately, many students spend hours looking for a scholarship but fail to put an equal amount of effort into completing their application. The application is by far the most important part of your scholarship search; give it the time it deserves.
One last bit of advice: Double-check the scholarship requirements before you apply. After all, you want to be sure you are eligible before you apply. Write, call or e-mail the scholarship sponsor to ensure you have full details of application procedures and know what will be expected of the successful applicant. You can never have too much Information!