Education Scholarships with 2024 Deadlines

Many students, from high school seniors to graduate students, are interested in studying as education majors and working in education. Teaching, school administrative jobs, and other fields of work associated with education can be very rewarding careers. These occupations are essential to society in raising a new generation of socially responsible students, starting from early childhood education through the upper-grade levels. 

Given the COVID-19 pandemic, some school districts are experiencing teaching and administrative staff shortages. As a result, the demand for education majors in professional fields is increasing.

Many public, private, and community college students are majoring in education to meet this demand. Going to graduate school may make an education major more employable in higher education, but even an undergraduate degree can be useful. 

Like social work and healthcare, education is one of the many fields that measurably contribute to the good of society. Good teachers and caring school staff positively impact the lives of hundreds of developing students. To that end, education majors can apply for many education scholarships and grants. 

Bold.org is dedicated to helping students reduce the cost of their tuition and educational expenses. Browse through the full list of scholarships available, or use the scholarship search feature to find specific scholarships, like scholarships for education majors. 

Education scholarships are intended to help education majors fund their college or even high school tuition. Most scholarships for education majors are open to college students, including both graduate students and undergraduate students, but high school seniors may also be able to find some opportunities. 

Financial aid can be instrumental in allowing students to complete their education and enter professional or higher-paying fields. Education majors and any college students should strongly consider what college scholarships and university financial aid they can apply for. 

Despite many financial aid opportunities available to students of all ages, many high school and college students have difficulty finding scholarships that match their needs. Sign up to make a free profile with Bold.org and find hundreds of scholarships in one place. 

How to Get Scholarships for Education Majors 

Most scholarships for education majors are only open to students who intend to study teaching or a related field. The first step in getting scholarships for education majors is to enroll in an education program or plan to enroll in one. As a result, just by choosing to major in education, you will already be eligible for many relevant scholarships. 

It’s worth applying to any opportunities that are listed as scholarships for education majors. These types of scholarships should be available to graduate students, those pursuing their undergraduate degrees, and even some high school seniors. Students who have declared an education major or intend to declare one should apply for any education scholarships they are eligible for. 

Applying to scholarships that limit the applicant pool to one field of study already increases your chances of winning, as many other students in different majors will not be able to apply. However, you can use other tips and tricks to increase your chances of getting education scholarships. 

Many scholarships will ask applicants to write an essay or short personal statement. The personal statement is one of the most important factors in deciding who will win the scholarship money. As a result, make sure to submit a polished and well-written essay. Check out our article on how to write a scholarship essay for an in-depth guide. 

What most donors are looking for in the scholarship essay is someone who is driven, passionate, and will truly put the scholarship money to good use. In the context of education scholarships, a winning essay will likely show that the applicant is truly invested in the field of education and will make a positive impact on their community. 

A few key points to remember when writing the essay are honesty, insight, and personality. Firstly, nothing can be gained by embellishing details or misleading the reader. The donor wants to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to speak truthfully.

Second, most education scholarships will likely ask you to write about why you chose to major in education. Try to give the reader some insight into why you want to major in education. Your motivations can give the donor insight into who you are and help the donor understand you better. Some specifics can be helpful here, for example, if you want to work in primary and secondary education. 

Lastly, the ultimate goal of the scholarship essay, as mentioned, is to allow the donor to get a sense of who you are. Instead of writing about what you think might sound impressive or professional, stay true to your genuine beliefs and motivations. 

For other tips on applying for scholarships, getting scholarships, and more, check out our Scholarship Blog. 

Scholarships for Education Majors

Students can find many scholarships for education majors on Bold.org. You may not be eligible for every single education scholarship, but chances are there will be more than a few scholarships that you will be able to apply for. Below is a list of scholarship opportunities for education majors.

1. Teacher Scholarships
2. Community Service Scholarships
3. Need-Based Scholarships
4. Scholarships for High School Students
5. Scholarships for College Students
6. Scholarships for Graduate Students

Graduate School for Education Majors

Education majors will need to decide whether they want to pursue a master’s or higher degree or if they will seek employment after earning a bachelor’s degree. Most states only require education majors to hold a bachelor’s degree to teach at a high school and lower grades, such as secondary education and early childhood education.

However, many education majors will enroll as graduate students to work in higher fields of education, like colleges and graduate schools. Though a graduate degree is required, teaching at a higher level may also offer better pay and job security.

Whether or not education majors should pursue graduate degrees depends entirely on what and where they want to teach. If a higher degree is necessary to reach the field you aspire to teach in, start planning for graduate school earlier rather than later. If you plan to teach in a high school or middle school, you will not need to worry about paying for graduate school. 

For more help in deciding which degree to pursue, read our guide on the top skills employers seek in college graduates. Education majors who attend graduate school should remember that financial aid and scholarships exist at the graduate level.

Continue to apply for scholarships for education majors to decrease the cost of college. To help reduce the price of your graduate degree, click here to read about how to find graduate school scholarships. 

Federal Student Aid for Education Majors

All students, including education majors, should consider filling out the FAFSA and applying for federal student aid to help decrease the cost of college. Read our guide on federal student aid and loans here for more information on who is eligible and how to apply for aid. 

Most high school seniors will fill out the FAFSA during the college application process to help generate funds for their college tuition. The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is the first step in applying for federal grants, work-study programs, or federal student loans. 

Education majors should try to raise college tuition funding through FAFSA and scholarships. In general, try not to rely on one method alone to pay for higher education. 

Receiving financial aid through the FAFSA will often result in a larger sum of money than any one single scholarship. However, there is no limit to how many scholarships you can apply to, and you can continue to apply for scholarships throughout high school, college, and graduate school. As a result, there are benefits to applying for both federal student aid and scholarships. 

Many college students will also take out student loans after applying for the FAFSA. Student loans can cover a large chunk of your college expenses but usually leave students in debt after graduation. 

Read our guide on how long it takes to pay off student loans. Whether or not you should apply for student loans depends on your financial situation and the cost of your undergraduate degree. 

It may be beneficial to apply to as many education scholarships as possible first to try to decrease the amount you will need to take out in student loans. In addition, students can and should continue to apply for scholarships as college students, as scholarships can be used to repay student loan debt. Click here for a list of grants to pay off student loans.  

What Is the Easiest Scholarship to Get?

The easiest scholarships to get are usually those that don’t require applicants to write an essay. These scholarships are considered easy because they take less time to apply to than essay scholarships. 

No-essay scholarships can be applied to in minutes since applicants only need to fill out a short form. Essentially, as long as you meet the criteria for consideration, not much else is needed on your part to finish applying. 

Though this type of scholarship is easy to apply to, the sheer volume of applicants also means you will face a good amount of competition. No-essay scholarships are low effort but also have a slightly lower chance of winning. Click here for a list of no-essay scholarships to apply for.

The easiest scholarship to get will depend on the applicant. In a nutshell, the easiest way to win a scholarship is to play to your strengths. Athletic students may find it much easier to win sports scholarships than academic scholarships, for example, and vice versa. 

Winning scholarship applications often come from students who are exceptionally talented in a certain area or very driven and passionate about their field. Look for scholarships in your area of interest for the highest chance of winning. Education majors should apply for education scholarships, and so on. 

What Is a Scholarship in Education? 

A scholarship in education is a form of gift aid meant to help college students majoring in education afford their tuition costs. Education scholarships do not need to be repaid in any way. 

Potential education majors can apply for a scholarship in education by filling out a form or writing a personal statement according to the rules of the specific scholarship they want to apply for. The donor will select one or a few of the applicants to receive the scholarship money. 

Typically, donors will have some connection to the field their scholarship is in. An education scholarship donor might be a retired teacher, for example, who is interested in helping other students receive their education degrees. 

Additional Resources for Education Majors

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education

The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) is a division within the U.S. Department of Education. Its primary purpose is to assist and oversee primary and secondary education in the United States. The OESE's goal is to ensure that all students have access to high-quality education and the opportunity to achieve success in school and in life.

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education offers the Crawford Minority Teacher Scholarship. Upon graduation from an accredited college, the student is required to formally commit to seeking employment as a teacher at an accredited school in Indiana. Furthermore, if employed, the student must fulfill a minimum teaching tenure of three years in the state.

Teacher Freedom

TeacherFreedom.org is an informational service aimed at all education staff, supported by non-profit organizations, including the AAE Foundation. The website provides resources and information about union membership rights and options, addresses common misconceptions about union membership, and offers resources for new teachers.

Browse our Scholarship Blog to learn more about education degrees, the secondary school level, and all things college!