While there are several benefits to gaining an advanced degree, the cost of getting one can be quite discouraging. To avoid large amounts of debt, a scholarship is the most economical and functional way to gain a good education. This method allows you to focus on what really matters, which is building your knowledge and skillset.
If you are an educator hoping to pursue a graduate degree, we’ve compiled this list of the best master’s in teaching scholarships to help you get started. This way, you will be able to complete your education and gain access to better work opportunities.
What Is a Master’s in Teaching?
A Master’s Degree in Teaching is an advanced degree program that provides graduates with the qualifications they need to excel as educators. While earning a Master’s Degree in Teaching, you will learn effective research and teaching techniques. You’ll also get the social and educational foundations needed to promote the development and growth of your students.
How Much Does a Master’s in Teaching Cost?
Tuition costs will vary between institutions. While some graduate schools cost less than $6,000, others may be as high as $50,000. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average cost of graduate tuition is $19,792. Scholarships and grants, like the Pell Grant, help to offset those costs.
Master’s in Teaching Salary: How Much Can You Earn?
According to PayScale, a professional with a Master of Arts in Teaching earns an average salary of $56,000 a year. Based on the salary computations by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), those who become elementary, middle, or high school principals can earn an average salary of $98,490, and their job growth outlook for 2020-2030 is eight percent.
Is a Master’s in Teaching Worth It?
Yes, a career in teaching is worth it. Whether you choose to be a high school science teacher or start with elementary education, it’s a rewarding career. Not only do you get to improve lives by creating visionaries, but you also set the standard for social and cultural norms. A Master’s Degree in Teaching equips you with the teaching strategies, techniques, and tools you’ll need.
You’ll gain skills in classroom management, educational research, social engagements, decision-making, and communication. A Master’s Degree in Teaching will boost your professional status, helping you stay relevant in your field for years to come. It is a chance to gain a professional license and higher compensation.
The best part of this is that you can achieve all of this at little or no cost with a teaching scholarship. Getting scholarships will allow you to worry less about how you’re going to pay for your education and focus more on how you can be the best teacher you can be.
How to Pay for Your Teaching Graduate Degree with Master’s in Teaching Scholarships
A Master’s in Teaching scholarship is a financial aid or grant given to applicants who meet the designated criteria to subsidize or completely fund their graduate education. To secure a scholarship, you need to apply through the scholarship provider’s official website before the application deadlines. Usually, teaching scholarships have eligibility criteria you need to meet.
Many teaching scholarships are geared specifically towards minority groups, women, and those wishing to specialize in a particular field of education. The scholarship awards might offer a full ride or cover a part of tuition. Full scholarships are not as common as partial scholarships. Some awards can be as low as $500, others can go as high as $24,000.
Some scholarship programs ask you to include an essay and a recommendation letter along with your bachelor’s degree documents as a requirement of your graduate admission application. Make sure you ask for a letter of recommendation early so as not to rush you supervisor.
Best master’s in Teaching Scholarships: Overview
| Organization | Scholarship Name | How Much It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| American Association for the Advancement of Science & National Science Foundation | Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program | $10,000 |
| California Teachers Association | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Scholarship Program | $6,000 |
| Central Scholarship | Graduate and Professional Scholarships | $1,000 to $11,000 |
| Journalism Education Association | Future Journalism Teacher Scholarships | $1,000 |
| National Institute for Labor Relations Research | Applegate-Jackson-Parks Future Teacher Scholarship | $1000 |
| New York State | NYS Master’s in Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship Program | $10,870 (SUNY or CUNY Tuition Cost) |
| NYU Steinhardt | Scholarship for Advanced Study | 30% or More of Tuition |
| United States Congress | James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation | $24,000 |
| The Harry Truman Scholarship Foundation | Harry S Truman Scholarship | $30,000 |
| Tesol International Organization | The Ruth Crymes Tesol Fellowship for Graduate Study | $1,500 |
Best Master’s in Teaching Scholarships: in Detail
Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program | American Association for the Advancement of Science and National Science Foundation
This scholarship program is targeted at STEM majors who will complete their master’s program within seven years and wish to pursue careers as high school teachers in high-need school districts in the United States. This is actually part of the eligibility requirements for this scholarship, and you must teach for at least two years in one of these high-need districts.
To qualify for this scholarship you must be a student of any of the colleges funded by the program. Applicants are limited to citizens of the United States. The scholarship selection depends on your career achievements, academic excellence, and knowledge of STEM. So, you should be willing to work as a teacher for five years in a local educational agency.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Scholarship Program | California Teachers Association
This scholarship program was created in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and is awarded to students from ethnic minorities who wish to pursue careers as educators, school therapists, counselors, or nurses in California. Successful applicants receive up to $6,000. To be considered for the award you must be a member of the California Teachers Association.
You should be pursuing a degree, certification, or credential to work in the teaching profession, particularly in public education. You must also be part of the African American, African Indian, Asian or Hispanic minority groups. During the application process, you will be required to include two letters of recommendation as well as any achievements or extracurricular activities.
Graduate and Professional Scholarships | Central Scholarship
Central Scholarship was founded by Moses Rothschild in 1924. The organization provides scholarship funds to college graduates pursuing a degree in education. Students are able to apply for the annual award until graduation.
The average award received by an applicant is $4,000 but it can vary from $1,000 to $11,000. Eligible students must have a grade point average of 2.8 or higher. You need to be an American citizen or a permanent resident of the US and come from a family with an annual income of not more than $90,000.
Future Journalism Teacher Scholarships | Journalism Education Association
This scholarship is targeted at students who want to work as scholastic journalism teachers. To qualify for the scholarship award you must be pursuing a master’s degree to teach at the secondary education level, be a college student with an education major, or a high school journalism teacher who wants to enroll in a journalism education degree program.
To qualify for this degree, you would need to submit your college transcript and write a 250-word essay detailing your motivation to teach journalism to high school students. You’ll have to fill out an online application for this scholarship, as paper applications are no longer accepted. You must also include two letters of recommendation to be considered.
The Applegate-Jackson-Parks Future Teacher Scholarship | National Institute for Labor Relations Research
The Future Teacher Scholarship offers $1,000 to students in undergraduate and master’s education programs in any university within the United States. This scholarship was founded in honor of Carol Applegate, Kay Jackson, and Dr. Anne Parks, who were teachers at a Michigan public school but were fired because they refused to pay their union dues.
As part of the selection process, applicants must write a personal essay to be reviewed by the selection committee. Only those who display impressive scholastic proficiency and an interest in the work of the National Institute of Labor Research will be eligible. You must also be willing to attain your teaching license and provide your school transcripts.
NYS Master’s in Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship Program | New York State
This scholarship program is directed at students who wish to explore careers in education. Successful students are awarded full tuition to cover their master’s degree at the State University of New York. You must be a full-time resident or have lived in the state of New York for at least one year before applying.
To qualify for this scholarship, you must have attained your undergraduate degree in New York State. Your GPA should be 3.5 or higher at the end of your undergraduate degree. You must also comply with the terms and conditions of the scholarship award, one of which is to work for five years as an elementary or high school teacher.
Scholarship for Advanced Study | NYU Steinhardt
The scholarship for advanced study is offered by New York University, Steinhardt. Students who are already in an undergraduate program in the teaching and learning department are eligible to apply for a master’s scholarship in the department. They are awarded a scholarship that covers 30 percent of their full tuition but can be extended to cover more depending on what you study.
As part of your master’s program in education, you can specialize in English, mathematics, bilingual education, childhood education, early childhood, special education, or social studies. Your GPA should be at least 3.0 and you should apply during the senior year of your undergraduate program. Non-resident and resident students in the U.S are welcome to apply.
James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation | United States Congress
The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation offers a maximum of $24,000 to US candidates who wish to pursue careers teaching secondary education level students. The junior fellowship program awards scholarships to final-year undergraduate students or graduates who want to become high school teachers of American history, US government, and civics.
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The junior fellowship requires that qualified recipients complete their graduate-level program within two years of full-time study. Current high school teachers with impressive academic achievements who wish to pursue a graduate degree within five years of part-time study are also eligible.
Harry S. Truman Scholarship | The Harry Truman Scholarship Foundation
The Harry S. Truman scholarship is awarded in honor of former president Harry S. Truman. It is geared towards undergraduate students who have a passion to become agents of change in public service careers. You should be willing to work in education and non-profit organizations. Qualified candidates have the opportunity to receive up to $30,000 to cover tuition fees.
Eligible applicants must be US citizens and interested in attaining a master’s degree or doctorate degree in education, law, public administration, social work, public policy, or international affairs.
The Ruth Crymes TESOL Fellowship for Graduate Study | TESOL International Organization
The Ruth Crymes TESOL Fellowship is directed at qualified candidates who are willing to teach English as a second language to foreign students. To be considered eligible for this role you must be a member of TESOL. You should be willing to be an English teacher and pursue a career in education.
You should also be a graduate student already in a TESOL or TEFL graduate program and preparing to work on a TESOL or TEFL graduate project. The successful candidate will be awarded a $1,500 tuition fee and must be willing to share their TESOL or TEFL graduate project within three years at a TESOL convention.
As part of your application, you will include a 250-word essay detailing your graduate study goals, how the award will be of financial aid to your cause, and your professional experience. You must also include a 1,250-word description of your graduate project along with one recommendation letter by your supervisor.
How to Pay for Your Teaching Graduate Degree Without Scholarships: Alternative Financial Aid Options
Aside from securing education scholarships or fellowships, there are other ways to pay for your graduate degree in teaching. Below, you’ll find a list of viable ways to pay for your Master’s Degree in Teaching, along with what these methods entail.
Defer Your Education and Work
If you can’t secure a scholarship or a grant, you can decide to defer your studies for a time and work to save money to cover tuition. You can use that opportunity to apply for apprenticeship programs that can give you relevant real-world experience.
Work and Study Simultaneously
If a scholarship or a loan to finance your graduate teaching degree is not an appealing option, you can choose to work while you study. Working and studying simultaneously is an ideal way to avoid accumulating debts or having to follow strict guidelines. Online graduate teaching degrees are a great option if you opt for this method, as they offer greater flexibility.
Apply for a Private Loan
A private loan is an alternative way to pay for your education. A student loan will cover your full tuition, along with your accommodations and textbooks. This method provides tuition assistance to cover your college expenses until the end of your degree, after which you’ll be expected to pay back with a designated interest rate over an extended period.
Ask Your Employer to Pay Your Tuition
If you already work for a good organization and have a good work record with your employer, you can ask for aid in paying for your education. This way you don’t have to repay any loans. However, you will most likely be required to keep working for your employer for a stipulated period. You may also need to pursue a part-time degree instead of attending a full-time program.
Apply for a Grant
An alternative way to pay for your teaching master’s degree is to apply for a government grant. A federal grant is a type of federal financial assistance given by the government to fund a unique project, study, or idea as a way to promote the economic growth of citizens in the country. The recipient of the grant must use the funds awarded for the purpose it was awarded.
Should You Apply for Master’s in Teaching Scholarships?
Yes, you should. Scholarships are a reward for excellence. Even though some graduate teaching scholarships don’t offer high awards, they can help you cover some essential tuition costs. Some scholarships also provide full employment to successful graduates.
Master’s in Teaching Scholarships FAQ
You can get a scholarship, fellowship, or government grant, or you can ask your employer to pay for your tuition.
TEACH is an acronym for teacher education assistance for college and higher education. It is a grant program that offers funds to students studying in a TEACH grant eligible study program in a partner school. To qualify for a TEACH grant, you must go through an initial counseling session and agree to serve or repay the grant within the same year of receiving your grant.
The most in-demand teaching field is the STEM field. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. Teachers or students who decide to pursue careers in this field are usually eligible for a variety of funding opportunities. Some of these fund providers even offer full-time employment to graduates of STEM education programs.
There are two main types of grant programs in the United States. The first is federal grants and benefit programs offered by the government to qualified applicants. Then, there is a non-federal grant program that can be offered by both for-profit and non-profit organizations. To find out what these grants are and how you can apply for one, visit the U.S official grant website.
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