Education Major Scholarships — Religious & Faith-Based (2026)

Headed into teaching and want your faith + classroom to vibe together? This page spotlights faith-based teacher fellowships (many = tuition-free M.Ed.), plus denominational scholarships that can help education majors and future religious-school educators.

ACE Teaching Fellows — University of Notre Dame

  • 💥 Why it slaps: Teach in under-resourced Catholic schools while earning a tuition-free M.Ed.; licensing support; tight community + mentorship.
  • 💰 Amount: Tuition-free M.Ed. (valued >$140k) + avg stipend (ACE lists ~$15,495/yr) + housing arranged; license reciprocity to many states. ace.nd.edu+1
  • ⏰ Deadline: Applications open each fall; rolling steps through winter/spring (see “Important Dates”). ace.nd.edu
  • 🔗 Apply/info: ace.nd.edu

PLACE Corps — Loyola Marymount University (LMU)

  • 💥 Why it slaps: Teach full-time in SoCal Catholic schools and complete an MA + credential with significant tuition support, community housing, and a modest stipend.
  • 💰 Amount: Tuition support + program housing + stipend (see program finances).
  • ⏰ Deadline: Annually (check current cycle + “Program Finances/Planning Calendar”). soe.lmu.edu
  • 🔗 Apply/info: soe.lmu.edu

Providence Alliance for Catholic Teachers (PACT) — Providence College

  • 💥 Why it slaps: Tuition-free master’s while you teach in CT/MA/RI Catholic schools; certification + intentional community.
  • 💰 Amount: Advertised tuition-free M.Ed.; teachers earn certification; faith-centered cohort model. pact.providence.edu
  • ⏰ Deadline: Annual; see admissions timeline. pact.providence.edu
  • 🔗 Apply/info: pact.providence.edu

Magis Catholic Teacher Corps — Creighton University

Urban Catholic Teacher Corps (UCTC) — Boston College

  • 💥 Why it slaps: 100% tuition coverage for an M.Ed. + community housing + monthly stipend while serving Boston-area Catholic schools.
  • 💰 Amount: Full M.Ed. tuition, housing covered, monthly stipend (see BC details). Boston College
  • ⏰ Deadline: Program cycle opens yearly; check BC admissions pages. Boston College
  • 🔗 Info: Boston College

Seton Teaching Fellows

  • 💥 Why it slaps: 1–2 year mission teaching in Catholic schools (NY, OH, TX) with stipend + housing; some fellows pursue funded master’s via partners.
  • 💰 Amount: Stipend + housing/utilities; some partners offer funded graduate pathways (details vary). Seton Partners,  Institute for Social Concerns
  • ⏰ Deadline: Recruiting on a rolling/annual cycle. Seton Partners
  • 🔗 Apply/info: Seton Partners

🏛️ Denominational & faith-community scholarships (good fits for education majors)

GBHEM (United Methodist Church) — Scholarship Programs

  • 💥 Why it slaps: One application for 80+ scholarships; UMC students in undergrad/grad—including education—can qualify.
  • 💰 Amount: Varies; GBHEM notes ~$4M/year awarded across programs; some communications note typical awards of $500–$1,200+. gbhem.org
  • ⏰ Deadline: Portal generally opens winter; 2025 general app closed July 2025—watch for the next cycle. gbhem.org
  • 🔗 Apply/info: gbhem.org

ELCA — Fund for Leaders (Lutheran)

  • 💥 Why it slaps: Full-tuition seminary scholarships for future pastors/deacons; great if you’ll teach religion/catechesis or pursue religious education leadership.
  • 💰 Amount: Full tuition at ELCA seminaries (duration of required coursework, if eligible). elca.org
  • ⏰ Deadline: Typically winter window (e.g., 2024–25 ran Dec→Feb). LSTC
  • 🔗 Info: elca.org

Episcopal Church — Educational Scholarships

  • 💥 Why it slaps: Central application for a variety of trust-fund scholarships (some for ministry/theological and specialized study).
  • 💰 Amount: Varies by fund.
  • ⏰ Deadline: 2025–26 application notice posted March 6, 2025 (annual spring cycle). The Episcopal Church
  • 🔗 Info: The Episcopal Church

PC(USA) — Financial Aid for Service (Presbyterian)

  • 💥 Why it slaps: Undergrad and grad aid for Presbyterian students; supplemental support for students of color.
  • 💰 Amount: Varies; recent materials show ranges around $2k–$4k depending on program/year. PC(USA)+1
  • ⏰ Deadline: Annual application windows; check the current year’s status. PC(USA)
  • 🔗 Info: PC(USA)

United Church of Christ — Scholarships & Grants

  • 💥 Why it slaps: Scholarships for those preparing for ministry (+ leadership development scholarships for undergrads).
  • 💰 Amount: Varies; applications typically open Dec 1 and close Mar 1. United Church of Christ
  • 🔗 Info: United Church of Christ

Knights of Columbus — Catholic Scholarships

  • 💥 Why it slaps: Scholarships for Knights/children of Knights and students attending approved Catholic colleges.
  • 💰 Amount: Varies; K of C reports ~$1.3M awarded in 2024–25 across programs. Knights of Columbus
  • ⏰ Deadline: Annual (see KofC page for dates).
  • 🔗 Info: Knights of Columbus

Catholic Daughters of the Americas — National/Local Scholarships

Hillel International — Jewish Student Scholarships (many majors)

  • 💥 Why it slaps: Central Jewish Scholarships Portal; standout awards like the Aronson Fussman $18,000 (renewable).
  • 💰 Amount: From $500 up to $18,000 (varies by award). Hillel International
  • ⏰ Deadline: 2025 cycle closed Mar 3, 2025; opens each January. Hillel International
  • 🔗 Portal: Hillel International

Islamic Scholarship Fund (ISF) — American Muslim Students

  • 💥 Why it slaps: Long-running, reputable org with $3,000–$10,000 awards (most majors are policy/media/law-oriented; check eligibility).
  • 💰 Amount: $3,000–$10,000; plus fellowships & mentorship. Islamic Scholarship Fund
  • ⏰ Deadline: Annual cycle; check ISF site.
  • 🔗 Info: Islamic Scholarship Fund

🧭 Helpful resources for future teachers (stack with faith-based awards)

  • TEACH Grant (Federal) — up to $4,000/yr if you commit to teach in a high-need field at a low-income school (or converts to a loan if you don’t complete service).
    Info: Federal Student Aid

  • Teacher Loan Forgiveness — up to $17,500 after 5 consecutive years at qualifying low-income schools.
    Info: Federal Student Aid

  • PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness) — full remaining Direct Loan balance after 120 qualifying payments while working full-time for eligible public/501(c)(3) employers (includes most religious schools if they’re 501(c)(3)).
    Info: Federal Student Aid

  • Interfaith America — Student & Campus Grants — fuel interfaith/campus leadership projects (great for education majors building programming).
    Info: interfaithamerica.org

💬 FAQs

Q1) I’m an education major—do I have to be studying theology to qualify here?
Nope. Many options (ACE, PLACE, PACT, Magis, UCTC) are built for K–12 teachers of all subjects serving faith-based schools and include tuition-covered graduate study. ace.nd.edu, soe.lmu.edu, pact.providence.edu, Creighton University, Boston College

Q2) I want to teach in a Catholic/Jewish/Protestant school—should I apply to denominational funds too?
Yes. Denominational funds (GBHEM, ELCA, Episcopal, UCC, PCUSA, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters, Hillel) can stack with school or fellowship aid (subject to each program’s rules). Always read “outside aid” policies. gbhem.org ,  elca.org, The Episcopal Church, United Church of Christ,  PC(USA), Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters, Hillel International

Q3) What’s the catch with TEACH Grants?
It’s amazing if you complete the service. If not, it converts to a loan (with interest). Do the required TEACH counseling and keep your certification forms updated. Federal Student Aid

Q4) I’m not sure which fellowship fits—how do they differ?
Quick vibe check:

Q5) Any Jewish/Muslim-specific scholarships that are national and broad?
Hillel International runs a large, centralized scholarship program (with awards up to $18,000); ISF offers $3k–$10k for specific majors. Hillel International, Islamic Scholarship Fund

🧠 Editor’s tips to win faster

  • Build a “service + leadership” story (perfect for ACE/PACT/Magis/UCTC/PLACE).

  • Ask your campus ministry/diocese/synod about local awards—many exist but aren’t indexed by big search sites.

  • Use our links, then set mini-deadlines: shortlist 5 → draft 2 apps → request 1 recommendation this week.

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