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Scholarships for Education Majors

State Scholarships 

Kentucky Education Excellence Scholarship (KEES Money)- available to Kentucky high school graduates who are residents of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It is based on your GPA starting from 2.5 = $125 per semester or 3.00 = $250, the higher the better. KEES awards are available for a maximum of 8 academic terms and must be used within the earlier attainment of a baccalaureate degree or 5 years from high school graduation.KEES awards can be used for the fall and spring terms only and are not available for summer coursework. Don’t have to apply for it, school counselors send information to KHEAA. More info or to check it go to KHEAA.com

WKU Scholarships

TopDollar- scholarship management system provides a complete list of all scholarship opportunities that are available for students at WKU.  You will find all types of scholarships that are based on academic merit and even private scholarships.  Find more information here https://www.wku.edu/topdollar/

In the table below you will find a list of some of the scholarships in TopDollar that is for education majors. 

Katharine Christie Guy Phi Beta Lambda 

Agnes Duskey McCrory 

Sarah Gilbert Garris                                                                                                

Sara Elizabeth Tyler Merit 

Bowling Green Evening Civitan Club -- H.A. McElroy 

Bowling Green Evening Civitan Club -- Jim Wilkins 

Brett Ford 

Samuel and Emma Alexander Educational 

Dr. Mary I. Cole Graduate Scholarship Fund

Amy Devine 

Dr. Curtis Englebright 

Tara Shirelle Ligon 

Emma Hermann Lowe and Betty Boyd 

David E. and Mr. and Mrs. H.R. Matthews SF

Mamie J. McCormick SF

Sandra G. Miller and Kenneth D. Miller 

Wanda Mayfield Page Elementary Education 

Phi Delta Kappa 

Howard A. Pincus 

PNC Minority Teachers 

William R. and Katherine Russell Endowed 

John A. Scarborough 

SNEA 

Colonel Edgar Bryant and Edith R. Stansbury 

Steen-Jenkins 

Shawn Lindsey Vokurka Memorial 

Warren County Retired Teachers Association 

Kathryn L. Whitaker 

Warner M. and Cornelia Willey 

Wilson Scholars Program 

Anna Mae Thurston 

Beulah R. Winchel Scholarship Fund for Elementary Education

Beulah R. Winchel Scholarship Fund for Middle-Grade Education


Targeted Cornellious A. Martin Scholarship

Underrepresented minority students with a minimum 2.5 unweighted GPA qualify for a Targeted Award.

Students who have a 2.5 up to 2.9 unweighted GPA qualify for $2,000 per academic year. 

Students who have a 3.0 or greater unweighted GPA qualify for $3,000 per academic year. 

To be considered for this Targeted Award, students must have a complete application package on file.  A complete application package includes the following:

We encourage all students to apply for additional opportunities at https://www.wku.edu/topdollar/, priority consideration is given to applicants who have applied by February 1 each year.

 Scholarships for Beginning Freshmen at WKU - Students with a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA qualify for WKU’s Academic Merit Awards.    

To be considered for an Academic Merit Award, students must have a complete application package on file.  A complete application package includes the following:

We encourage all students to apply for additional opportunities at https://www.wku.edu/topdollar/, priority consideration is given to applicants who have applied by February 1 each year.  

Award & Notification

Academic Merit Awards range from $2,500 to $8,000 per academic year ($10,000-$32,000 over a four year period) as demonstrated in the chart below.

Students who qualify for an Academic Merit Award will be notified of their eligibility for this award shortly after being admitted to WKU.

Students receiving an Academic Merit Award may also be eligible for Targeted Awards and TOPDollar awards, up to Cost of Attendance.

Academic Merit Awards require full-time enrollment (12 or more credit hours each semester).

Departments - Ask your department if they have some scholarships available for your program.

Some programs that offer scholarships are :

  • SkyTeach - Math and Science Middle or High school Education 

Harris Family SKyTeach Scholarship Guidelines for the Harris Family SKyTeach Scholarship 

  1. Recipients of the Harris Family SKyTeach Scholarships are to be full-time students at Western Kentucky University, majoring in Mathematics, and enrolled in the SKyTeach program. 
  1. First preference must be given to scholarships for participants of the SKyTeach Program who are graduates of Allen County Scottsville High School. 
  1. Recipients must have a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 or a minimum college cumulative GPA of 2.75.
  1. Prior to receiving the scholarship, selected recipients must sign a Code of Conduct policy encompassing how they represent WKU and the SKyTeach Program. 
  1. Financial need is to be an important consideration. 6. If no student meets the above criteria, available funds may be used for the following areas of the SKyTeach Program: a. Scholarships for participants of the SKyTeach Program who are graduates of Warren County schools.

More information in the link: https://www.wku.edu/skyteach/documents/harris_family_scholarship.pdf

Music Department - Find several scholarships for students pursuing a career in music https://www.wku.edu/music/scholarship.php

Federal Scholarship 

TEACH Grant

  1. Applicants must be majoring in “high-need” fields as defined by the TEACH Grant in either an undergraduate or graduate teaching certification program.  Such areas include:
    1. Mathematics
    2. Science
    3. Foreign Language
    4. English Language Acquisition (WKU offers as an endorsement only)
    5. Special Education
    6. Reading Specialist (WKU only offers this program at the graduate level.)
  2. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.25 and maintain the 3.25 GPA while they receive the TEACH GRANT OR applicants must have an ACT score within the 75th percentile.
  3. Applicants must be of sophomore standing (completion of at least 45 hours).
  4. Applicants must be eligible for admission to the WKU Teacher Education Program.  Information on the WKU Teacher Education requirements can be found at Teacher Admissions Checklist.
  5. Applicants must be enrolled in at least 1 credit hour.
  6. Applicants must have a FAFSA on file.

More information in the link: https://www.wku.edu/educatorservices/teach_grant/index.php

Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) 

The Teacher Scholarship Program provides financial aid to Kentucky students pursuing teacher certification at participating Kentucky colleges.

  • Student must:
    • Be a U.S. citizen.
    • Be a Kentucky resident.
    • Meet one of the following criteria:
    • Be admitted to a teacher education program pursuing initial teacher certification at a participating Kentucky college; or
    • Be a certified teacher (primary through grade 12) pursuing additional credentialing for classroom teaching.
    • Demonstrate financial need.
    • Meet the school’s satisfactory academic progress requirements.
    • Teach one semester at a Kentucky public or certified non-public school for each semester the scholarship is received.
    • Repay the scholarship plus interest if the teacher education program or service requirement is not completed.

More information at https://www.kheaa.com/website/kheaa/teacher?main=1

Kentucky Academy for Equity in Teaching (KAET)

KAET is a renewable loan forgiveness program designed to provide financial support and mentoring to pre-service teachers who are enrolled in, or awaiting admittance to, an EPSB approved educator preparation program at an institution of higher education in Kentucky. Candidates may receive up to $5,000 per semester for up to 4 semesters to support the completion of an accredited teacher preparation program and Kentucky certification. 

Accepting this KAET forgivable loan mean:

  • I will sign a Kentucky Department of Education KAET
  • Forgivable Loan Promissory Note agreeing:
  • To obtain a Kentucky teaching certificate in accordance with Title 16 of Kentucky Administrative Regulations and applicable statutes.
  • To teach one semester for each semester or summer term funded by my KAET loan in one of Kentucky’s 1,200 public schools. If I do not satisfy this requirement, I will be held responsible for repaying a loan which will accrue interest at 6% APR.
  • I understand the promissory note I sign is a binding legal document stating that, except in cases of discharge, I must repay the money borrowed if;

- I do not complete my education

- I am not able to get a job after completing my program - I change my major field of study

  • I have a responsibility to keep the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority informed if; I change my address or phone number; I change schools or reduce the number of credit hours; I change my graduation date.
  • Minority Educator Recruitment and Retention (MERR) recipients are not eligible for the Traditional or MAT KAET program.

Option 1 - Undergraduate Educator Preparation Program

Eligibility Requirements :

    1. United States citizen
    2. Kentucky resident as defined by 13 KAR 2:045
    3. Meet the character and fitness requirements of Kentucky’s Education Professional Standards Board and Kentucky’s Professional Code of Ethics as outlined in 16 KAR 1:020
    4. Current enrollment, or a completed application with pending enrollment, in an EPSB, approved educator preparation program for initial certification at an institution of higher education in Kentucky.
    5. At least one of the following:
      a. Member of an underrepresented ethnic minority
      group as defined in KRS 160.345 (American Indian; Alaskan native; African-American; Hispanic, including persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban and Central or South American origin; or Pacific Islander)
      b. Financial need demonstrated through Pell Grants or Perkins Loans
      c. Graduate of Kentucky School for the Blind or Kentucky School for the Deaf
      d. Former migratory agricultural worker, child of a migratory agricultural worker, as defined in 34 CFR 200.81 (d) (a person who, in the preceding 36 months, has moved, as defined in paragraph (g), from one school district to another, or from one administrative area to another within a State that is comprised of a single school district, in order to obtain temporary employment or seasonal employment in agricultural work, including dairy work.) or a current or former English Learner e. United States Veteran                                                                              f. First-generation college student as defined in SEC.
    6. 402A.20U.S.C.1070a-11(f)(1) (An individual both of whose parents did not complete a baccalaureate degree; or in the case of any individual who regularly resided with and received support from only one parent, an individual whose only such parent did not complete a baccalaureate degree).

Additional Considerations:

• Completion of Kentucky’s Teaching & Learning Pathway 

• Completion of a CTE pathway other than Teaching & Learning

 • Coursework in high school Teaching & Learning or CTE pathway 

• Membership in Educators Rising

• Participant in Educators Rising Kentucky competition

• Participant in national Educators Rising competition 

• Enrollment in a certification program in a critical shortage area identified in Kentucky within past three years 

• Well-developed written communication skills

Find more information at https://education.ky.gov/teachers/div/Pages/Kentucky-Academy-for-Equity-in-Teaching---KAET.aspx?fbclid=IwAR0oIxvMZFEYxkRlkTuAXOS1B67WgaPeN8ZnqtFnrSvmANoiiYvpTIzexws

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity - 2020 International Achievement Week Essay Application

Download the Application

Private Scholarships 

Janice S. Jones Teacher Scholarship Program

The opportunity for future teachers attending your institution to submit a scholarship application to receive $1,000 this year with the American Association for Employment in Education (AAEE) will be closing on Wednesday, January 15. We are pleased to offer two scholarship opportunities this year in Janice Jones' name and are grateful for your assistance in spreading the word.

  •     One $1,000 Teacher of Color scholarship
  •     One $1,000 Critical Need Subject Area Teacher scholarship

For more information about qualifications and how to apply, please visit https://aaee.org/janice-jones-scholarship-fund.

Leadership Through Education Scholarship Fund $500

Must be a full-time female student pursuing a program of study leading to certification as a classroom teacher. The recipient must bring an element of diversity to the WKU student body through their age, race, ethnicity, creed, disability, or socioeconomic background. Must demonstrate participation in at least one leadership activity such as an internship or community service. Applicants must participate in an interview process with a committee from the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences.

https://wku.academicworks.com/opportunities/12414

For application email: jessica.carver@wku.edu

Breonna Taylor Scholarship - Flora Templeton Stuart:

  • At the law firm of Flora Templeton Stuart, we believe that the greatest leaders in our country give back to their communities to selflessly serve others and make a difference in the eradication of racism and economic inequality.  Great leaders come from all backgrounds and we want to recognize local students who demonstrate these values through dedicated volunteer work, service, and career plans. Right now, it is more important than ever to break through racial and ethnic barriers and highlight the voices that often go unheard. To help empower our unsung local leaders, our firm is proud to announce the “Breonna Taylor” Scholarship in honor of Ms. Taylor.  Through this contest, we aim to provide financial assistance to under-served or underprivileged ethnic minority students whose leadership, empathy, and passion have and will positively change the lives of people in their communities and the world.
  • Deadline: December 15, 2020
  • Amount: $1,000 
  • Eligible Students: Applicants must be graduating high school seniors who are planning to attend college in the Fall 2020 semester, current undergraduate students or law school students residing in the state of Kentucky while also belonging to a racial or ethnic minority.
  • More Info + Apply: https://florastuart.com/breonna-taylor-scholarship/

Future Teachers Scholarships - National Institute for Labor Relations Research 


One $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to the education student who best exemplifies the dedication to principle and high professional standards of Carol Applegate, Kay Jackson, and Dr. Anne Parks.

WHO MAY APPLY

Applicants are limited to graduate or undergraduate students majoring in education in institutions of higher learning throughout the United States. Officers, directors, and employees of the National Institute for Labor Relations Research, the National Right to Work Committee, Members of the Selection Review Committee and their families are not eligible.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

The scholarship is awarded on the basis of scholastic ability and a demonstrated interest in the Institute’s work. Applicants must also:

1. Demonstrate potential for the successful completion of the educational requirements in a college or university Department of Education program and the potential of a successful application for a teaching license, and submit a transcript of grades.

2. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of voluntary unionism and the problems of compulsory unionism in relation to education by writing an original essay of approximately 500 words.

Find more information at http://www.nilrr.org/2007/03/27/online-scholarship-application/

Barbara Lotze Scholarships for Future Teachers - Scholarship for Physics Teachers

Undergraduate students enrolled, or planning to enroll, in physics teacher preparation curricula and high school seniors entering such programs are eligible. Successful applicants receive a stipend of up to $2,000 and a complimentary AAPT Student Membership for one year. The scholarship may be granted to an individual for each of four years.

Students who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for the Barbara Lotze Scholarship for Future Teachers.  Applicants must declare their intent to prepare for, and engage in, a career in physics teaching at the high school level and must, at the time the scholarship funds are received by the student, be:

  • an undergraduate student enrolled in an accredited two-year college, four-year college or a university; or a high school senior accepted for such enrollment.
  • pursuing, or planning to pursue, a course of study leading toward a career in physics teaching in the high schools.
  • showing promise of success in their studies, and
  • a citizen of the United States of America.

Find more information at http://www.aapt.org/programs/grants/lotze.cfm

Scholarships for Graduate Students 

The Distinguished Minority Fellows (DMF) 

What is the Distinguished Minority Fellows (DMF)?

WKU is committed to assisting individuals from minority groups in obtaining their higher education goals.  TheDistinguished Minority Fellows Program is designed to help minority students attain graduate degrees by providing tuition as well as employment opportunities.  Admission into the program is competitive and applicants are encouraged to submit application materials as early as possible.   Applications are accepted once annually in the Spring for admission for the following Fall semester. 

Eligibility:

  • Must be a member of a minority group as defined by the WKU Diversity Plan: African-American; American Indian/Alaskan Native; Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander; two or more races; or Hispanic/Latino.
  • Must be a United States citizen.
  • Must currently be enrolled or must be accepted into a master’s or doctoral degree program.  Students must be fully admitted to a graduate degree program by the DMF application deadline in order to be considered for the award.
  • A student is ineligible if he/she has received any previous DMF funding.

Kentucky Academy for Equity in Teaching (KAET) for Graduate Students 

  1. You must be a United States citizen;
  2. You must be a Kentucky resident as defined by 13 KAR 2:045;
  3. You must be currently enrolled in an EPSB-approved educator preparation program for initial certification at an IHE in Kentucky;
  4. You must be  within 36  credit hours of completing an educator preparation program;
  5. You must not  currently hold a Kentucky professional teaching certificate;
  6. You must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0;
  7. You must have a minimum semester GPA of 2.75; and
  8. You must demonstrate financial need through having an expected family contribution (EFC) within the Pell eligibility range (approximately $5,700).

Find more information at https://education.ky.gov/teachers/div/Pages/Kentucky-Academy-for-Equity-in-Teaching---KAET.aspx?fbclid=IwAR0oIxvMZFEYxkRlkTuAXOS1B67WgaPeN8ZnqtFnrSvmANoiiYvpTIzexws

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 Last Modified 5/12/22