Elementary Education Scholarships for Future K–6 Teachers

You bring the stickers, read-aloud voice, and classroom magic—we’ll bring the free money. This page rounds up verified scholarships for elementary education / K–6 (and early childhood) majors.

Daughters of the American Revolution — Edward G. & Helen A. Borgens Elementary Teacher Scholarship

• Why it slaps: 🎯 Elementary-specific, merit-based, and run by a long-standing national org.

• 💰 Amount: Up to ~$1,500 (one-time; ages 25+; college soph+).

• ⏰ Deadline: Portal typically Nov 1 – Jan 31 each year.

• 🔗 Apply/info: dar.academicworks.com Daughters of the American Revolution, Academic Works

PDK International — Prospective Educator Scholarships (Pi Lambda Theta / Educators Rising / PDK)

• Why it slaps: 🌐 Big educator network + multiple awards = better odds.

• 💰 Amount: $500–$4,000 (mix of one-time & renewable).

• ⏰ Deadline: Last cycle closed Apr 2, 2025; opens annually.

• 🔗 Apply/info: pdkintl.org/pdk-scholarship/ PDK International

Kappa Delta Pi (Education Honor Society) — Member Scholarships

• Why it slaps: 🤝 Scholarships + teacher-only career resources + community.

• 💰 Amount: Varies by program (KDP reports $100K+ awarded annually).

• ⏰ Deadline: Annual cycles; check current window.

• 🔗 Apply/info: kdp.org (Scholarships & Teacher Grants) Kappa Delta Pi

AAEE (American Association for Employment in Education) — Teacher Scholarships

• Why it slaps: 🧭 Hiring-focused org—great for job leads after graduation.

• 💰 Amount: Varies (competitive national awards).

• ⏰ Deadline: Annual; see current cycle.

• 🔗 Apply/info: aaee.org/scholarships AAEE

TEACH Grant (Federal)

• Why it slaps: 🏛️ Up to ~$4,000/year in grant aid (service commitment required).

• Note: Must teach in a high-need field at a low-income school; plain “elementary ed” isn’t always high-need—pair with shortage endorsements like ESL/bilingual, SPED, or STEM integration to qualify.

• ⏰ Deadline: Apply via FAFSA; accept TEACH Agreement each year.

• 🔗 Apply/info: studentaid.gov/teach PDK International

Teacher Loan Forgiveness (for later)

• Why it slaps: 🧾 After 5 consecutive years teaching in eligible schools, up to $17,500 in federal loan forgiveness (SPED qualifies at the higher tier; elementary generalist is eligible at the standard tier).

• 🔗 Info & application:  Federal Student Aid

State + Targeted Programs (great odds if you’re in these states)

Arizona Teachers Academy (AZ public universities)

• Why it slaps: 🌵 Tuition scholarship with service commitment at an Arizona public school.

• 💰 Amount: Tuition covered at participating institutions.

• ⏰ Deadline: School-based; rolling by term.

• 🔗 Apply/info: arizonateachersacademy.com CollegeXpress

New Mexico Teacher Preparation Affordability Scholarship

• Why it slaps: 🌶️ Designed to lower tuition + fees for NM teacher candidates.

• 💰 Amount: Varies by funding/need (state program).

• ⏰ Deadline: School Financial Aid offices manage windows.

• 🔗 Apply/info: AAEE

West Virginia Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars

• Why it slaps: ⛰️ $10,000/year for four years with WV teaching commitment—big value.

• 💰 Amount: $10,000/year (up to four years).

• ⏰ Deadline: Opens annually; check portal.

• 🔗 Apply/info: Get the Facts Out

Florida Fund for Minority Teachers — Minority Teacher Education Scholarship (FFMT)

• Why it slaps: ☀️ Ongoing aid for future teachers at Florida public colleges.

• 💰 Amount: Set by program; multi-term awards.

• ⏰ Deadline: Multiple windows each year.

• 🔗 Apply/info: StudentScholarships

South Carolina Teaching Fellows (CERRA)

• Why it slaps: 🧑‍🏫 Up to $6,000/year for four years + leadership development; service-forgivable.

• 💰 Amount: Up to $24,000 total.

• ⏰ Deadline: Typically Oct 1 – Dec 1 for HS seniors.

• 🔗 Apply/info: cerra.org

Oklahoma “Inspired to Teach” — Future Teacher Scholarship & Employment Incentive

• Why it slaps: 🧡 Stackable package worth up to ~$25,500 across school + teaching years.

• 💰 Amount: $1,000–$2,500 while in school plus $4,000/year up to 5 years after you start teaching in OK public schools.

• ⏰ Deadline: Rolling by campus; check your EPP.

• 🔗 Apply/info:  OK State Regents, education.okstate.edu

North Carolina Teaching Fellows (for SPED/STEM elementary pathways)

• Why it slaps: 💸 Forgivable loan up to $8,250/year (or $10,000 per latest cycle) for teacher prep—service cancels it.

• 💰 Amount: Historically $8,250/year; recent cycle shows “up to $10,000/year.”

• ⏰ Deadline: Annually; check official portal.

• 🔗 Apply/info: myapps.northcarolina.edu/ncteachingfellows myapps.northcarolina.edu

Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers (TX)

• Why it slaps: 🤠 $8,000–$10,000/year up to 4 years + mentorship & statewide cohort.

• 💰 Amount: $8,000–$10,000/year (up to four years).

• ⏰ Deadline: Typically Oct–Feb.

• 🔗 Apply/info: charlesbuttfdn.org/…/charles-butt-scholarship Charles Butt Foundation, charlesbuttfdn.smapply.io

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® (multi-state; early childhood & Pre-K pathways)

• Why it slaps: 🧩 Covers a big chunk of tuition/books plus paid release time & bonuses in many states—perfect if you’re working in early learning while studying.

• 💰 Amount: Varies by state; often ~85% tuition/books + stipends.

• ⏰ Deadline: Rolling by state partner.

• 🔗 Apply/info: teachecnationalcenter.org (see your state program) TEACH Early Childhood National Center, TEACH Early Childhood National Center

Helpful Resources (official + legit)

• FAFSA (file early; state deadlines vary): studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.  Federal Student Aid

• Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF): up to $17,500 for eligible teachers; details & form.  Federal Student Aid+1

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): remaining federal balance forgiven after 120 qualifying payments at eligible employers (public schools count).  Federal Student Aid

• Praxis Elementary Education (5001) info + study companion (ETS official): test overview & prep. ETS Praxis

• FAFSA deadlines (state & federal): studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/fafsa-deadlines.  Federal Student Aid

FAQs (Elementary Ed Scholarships) 🤓

Q1) Can I use TEACH Grant as an elementary major?
Yes if you commit to teach in a high-need field at a low-income school (e.g., special education, bilingual/ESL, math/science integration). Pure “elementary generalist” doesn’t always meet the high-need list. Read the TEACH terms carefully before accepting. PDK International

Q2) What’s the difference between scholarships and loan forgiveness?
Scholarships = money now (no repayment if you meet conditions). Loan forgiveness (TLF/PSLF) = reduce/erase loans after you teach at eligible schools for set periods. Many teachers layer both. Federal Student Aid

Q3) I’m over 25 and switching careers—am I eligible for anything elementary-specific?
Yes! DAR’s Borgens Elementary Teacher Scholarship is for age 25+. Also consider state programs (AZ, NM, WV, OK) and association scholarships (PDK, KDP). Daughters of the American Revolution

Q4) Do state teaching fellowships require I teach in that state?
Usually yes—these are service-forgivable (e.g., SC Teaching Fellows, NC Teaching Fellows, OK Inspired to Teach). You’ll commit to teach in-state for a set time to cancel the award. cerra.org, myapps.northcarolina.edu,  OK State Regents

Q5) Praxis 5001 freaks me out—best official prep?
Use ETS’s free study companion and official prep courses/practice tests for the four subtests (RLA, Math, Social Studies, Science). ETS Praxis