Top scholarships for teachers

Top scholarships for teachers

1. $2,000 No Essay Scholarship (Monthly) – A quick apply award that takes minutes to enter. Ideal for education majors, graduate students in teaching, and eligible adult learners.
2. Future educator scholarships – Awards for undergraduates in teacher prep programs; often merit-based with service components.
3. Graduate scholarships for teachers – Funding for licensed teachers pursuing M.Ed., MAT, or Ed.S. degrees; some target literacy, SPED, or instructional technology.
4. Subject-area teaching scholarships – Support for math, science, bilingual/ESL, CTE, and special education—fields where districts need qualified educators most.
5. Regional and state teaching scholarships – Local foundations and state programs offering awards to residents or those committing to teach instate.
6. Professional Association awards – Grants and scholarships from education organizations for classroom projects, certification, and continuing education.

Looking for more? Use Scholly Scholarships to find teaching scholarships by subject, degree level, and state.

How to apply

1. Build your scholarship timeline: Track monthly deadlines and align with academic terms, test dates, and student teaching.
2. Prepare core materials: Resume, transcript, recommendation letters, licensure plan, and a universal personal statement tailored to each scholarship opportunity.
3. Use tools like Scholly Scholarships to find top scholarships for teachers by major, state, and background; then filter for high-need subjects and renewable awards.
4. Apply early and often: Small awards add up—and many are renewable.

Additional resources for teachers

Whether you’re preparing for student teaching, earning your teaching credential, or advancing your career with a graduate degree, these curated resources can help you find scholarships tailored to your goals, interests, background, and teaching pathways.

• Scholarships by major
  If you're specializing in early childhood education, elementary education, secondary subjects (like math, science, English, or history), or special education, this directory helps you quickly find awards designed for your exact teaching path. Many teaching focused scholarships prioritize majors linked to teacher shortages, so browsing by academic area can increase your chances.
• Scholarships for high school seniors
  A great starting point for future educators still in high school. Many teacher prep programs offer “early commitment” scholarships, and applying during senior year helps you enter your education major with funding already secured. These awards are perfect for students planning to major in education, child development, psychology, or subject area teaching fields.
• Scholarships for college students
  Already in an education program? You can still apply for teaching scholarships during freshman through senior years. This page highlights awards that support student teachers, education majors completing practicum hours, and upper division coursework like curriculum design or classroom management.
• Scholarships for first-generation students
  If you’re the first in your family to pursue college—or teacher certification—these scholarships help reduce financial barriers during a demanding degree path that includes coursework, field placements, and exam prep. This is especially helpful for future educators balancing school with work or family commitments.
• Scholarships for adults
  Many adults pursue teaching as a second career, especially in high-need subjects. This resource is ideal for paraprofessionals, substitute teachers, instructional aides, or career changers entering teacher prep programs later in life. These scholarships often support flexible or accelerated credential pathways.
• Scholarships for women
  Women make up a large percentage of the teaching workforce, and many programs offer support for both undergraduate and graduate degrees in the education field. You'll also find awards for women in underrepresented teaching subject areas—such as STEM—as well as scholarships specifically for Black women educators.
• LGBTQ+ scholarships
  Educators who identify as LGBTQ+ can find financial support and community focused scholarships that celebrate diversity and leadership in education. Many awards also value applicants committed to creating inclusive classrooms and supporting LGBTQ+ youth.
• Scholarships by state
  Teacher shortages vary from state to state, and many states offer generous funding—sometimes including tuition assistance in exchange for teaching commitments in local schools. These state opportunities often have fewer applicants and higher award amounts, making them especially valuable for future and current teachers.

Additional resources for music students