Education Scholarships and Grants for 2025 and 2026

What Teaching Scholarships Are Available for High School Seniors?

High school seniors planning to become teachers can apply for several scholarships designed to encourage future educators. Examples include:

• Golden Apple Scholars Program: Offers funding, mentoring, and job placement for students who commit to teaching in high-need schools.
• Future Educator Scholarship: Provided by state education departments or foundations to support aspiring teachers entering education programs.
• NEA Foundation Scholarship: Supports high school seniors who plan to pursue degrees in education and become classroom teachers.

These programs often require a commitment to teaching after graduation and may include service-based stipulations.

What Scholarships Are Available for Teachers Pursuing Continuing Education?

Current teachers looking to earn advanced degrees, certifications, or specialized training can apply for the following scholarships and grants:

• NEA Foundation Grants for Educators: Offers funding for classroom innovation and professional development.
• AFT Robert G. Porter Scholars Program: Available to AFT members and their dependents pursuing further education or certification.
• Federal Pell Grant: Available to eligible teachers returning to school for graduate or credentialing programs.

These awards help educators advance their careers while reducing financial barriers.

Are There Full-Ride Scholarships for Education Majors?

Yes, several competitive full-ride scholarships exist for students majoring in education. These include:

• Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship: Covers full tuition and provides a stipend for students pursuing teaching degrees in STEM fields. Requires a service commitment in high-need schools.
• Golden Apple Scholars Program: In addition to supporting high school seniors, this program may offer full funding for undergraduates committed to teaching in underserved areas.

Full-ride teaching scholarships often come with obligations to teach in public schools or high-need districts for a certain number of years after graduation.

Are There Scholarships for Minority Teachers?

Yes, many scholarships are designed to increase diversity in education by supporting aspiring teachers from underrepresented backgrounds. Examples include:

• TEACH Grant: Offers up to $4,000 per year to students who commit to teaching in high-need fields and underserved communities.
• UNCF Teacher Education Scholarships: Supports Black students pursuing teaching degrees at HBCUs and other institutions.
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund: Offers funding for Hispanic and Latino students majoring in education or child development.

These scholarships aim to promote equity and representation in classrooms across the country.

What Are State-Based Teaching Scholarships?

Many states offer their own scholarship and loan forgiveness programs for education majors. Examples include:

• Georgia’s HOPE Teacher Scholarship Program: Provides financial aid to graduate students pursuing teacher certification in critical areas.
• New York State Math and Science Teaching Incentive Program: Offers full tuition in exchange for teaching service in-state after graduation.
• Tennessee Teaching Scholars Program: A forgivable loan for students who agree to teach in Tennessee public schools.

Check with your state’s higher education or education department for local scholarship opportunities.

Are There Scholarships for Alternative Teaching Certification?

Yes, individuals entering the teaching profession through non-traditional routes—such as career changers—may qualify for specific scholarships. Examples include:

• Teach for America (TFA) Grants and Awards: Provides funding and benefits for college graduates and professionals joining the TFA corps.
• Troops to Teachers Program: Assists military veterans with funding and placement to become certified educators.
• State Alternative Certification Incentives: Some states offer tuition assistance for alternative licensure pathways, especially in shortage areas.

These scholarships support individuals bringing real-world experience into the classroom through flexible teacher prep options.

What Is the TEACH Grant?

The TEACH (Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education) Grant is a federal program that offers up to $4,000 per year to students who are preparing to become teachers. In exchange, recipients must commit to teaching in a high-need subject area at a low-income school for at least four years within eight years of graduation. If this requirement is not met, the grant converts into a Direct Unsubsidized Loan.

Which Schools Are Eligible for the TEACH Grant?

Only schools that participate in the TEACH Grant Program and offer TEACH Grant-eligible degree programs qualify. These include many accredited colleges and universities across the U.S. To confirm eligibility, students should:

• Contact their school’s financial aid office.
• Check the list of participating schools on the Federal Student Aid TEACH Grant page.

What Are the Requirements for the TEACH Grant?

To be eligible for the TEACH Grant, students must:

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Be enrolled in a TEACH Grant-eligible program at a participating school.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25 or score above the 75th percentile on a standardized college admissions test (e.g., ACT, SAT).
• Sign an Agreement to Serve (ATS) promising to teach in a high-need field and low-income school.

How Do You Apply for the TEACH Grant?

To apply for the TEACH Grant, students must:

• Complete the FAFSA.
• Be admitted into an eligible education program at a TEACH-participating school.
• Sign the TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve each year they receive funding.
• Complete TEACH Grant counseling (usually available online through the financial aid portal).

Reach out to your school’s financial aid office to get started and confirm your program qualifies.

What Is the TEACH Grant Certification Form?

The TEACH Grant Certification Form is an annual form that verifies you’re meeting your teaching service obligation. It must be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education and include:

• Proof of teaching in a low-income school.
• Verification that you’re teaching in a high-need subject (e.g., math, science, special education).

If you don’t submit the form or fail to meet the requirements, your grant will be converted into a loan with interest retroactive to the original disbursement date.