Education Major Scholarships (2026) | Verified Links

Future teachers, assemble. We pulled legit, U.S.-based scholarships and programs that welcome education majors (HS seniors → grad/MAT).

PDK International — Prospective Educator Scholarships (incl. Educators Rising/PLT)

• Why it slaps

  • 💼 100+ awards; one app covers multiple scholarships

  • 💵 Typical range $500–$4,000 (one-time & renewable)

• 💰 Amount: $500–$4,000

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

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

Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) — Member Scholarships & Teacher Grants

• Why it slaps

  • 🧑‍🏫 Education honor society; member-exclusive awards

  • 🎓 Includes full-tuition ACE M.Ed. scholarship (member-only)

• 💰 Amount: Varies by scholarship (incl. tuition-level awards)

• ⏰ Deadline: Annual windows on KDP site

• 🔗 Apply/info: https://www.kdp.org/teacher-resources/scholarships–teacher-grants kdp.org

AAEE — Scholarships for Teachers (incl. Teacher of Color & Critical-Need areas)

• Why it slaps

  • 🧭 Hiring-focused org; awards often $1,000

  • 🤝 Great pipeline to jobs + recruiting fairs

• 💰 Amount: Typically ~$1,000 (varies)

• ⏰ Deadline: Posted annually

• 🔗 Apply/info: https://www.aaee.org/scholarships-for-teachers aaee.org

Federal TEACH Grant (service-obligation grant)

• Why it slaps

  • 🏛️ Up to $4,000/year while you study to teach high-need subjects at low-income schools

  • ⚠️ Converts to a loan if service terms aren’t met — read the fine print

• 💰 Amount: Up to $4,000/year

• ⏰ Deadline: With FAFSA + yearly agreement/counseling

• 🔗 Apply/info: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/teach Federal Student Aid

American Montessori Society (AMS) — Teacher Education Scholarships

• Why it slaps

  • 🍎 Funds Montessori teacher-ed programs (multiple levels)

  • 🗓️ Clear cycle (recent window Feb–Apr)

• 💰 Amount: Partial scholarships; varies

• ⏰ Deadline: Annual (see current cycle)

• 🔗 Apply/info: https://amshq.org/about-montessori/ams-scholarships/ The American Montessori Society+1

NCTM (Mathematics Education Trust) — Prospective Teacher Scholarships/Grants

• Why it slaps

  • ➗ For future math teachers (coursework, conference, and other awards)

  • 📚 Multiple programs under MET; amounts vary

• 💰 Amount: Varies (see program pages)

• ⏰ Deadline: By program; cycles posted on NCTM/MET

• 🔗 Apply/info: (examples)

  • Prospective 7–12 Teacher Coursework Scholarship (PDF) — ✅ Verified Aug 24, 2025. NCTM

  • MET awards overview (PDF) — ✅ Verified Aug 24, 2025. NCTM

AAPT — Barbara Lotze Scholarship for Future Physics Teachers

• Why it slaps

  • 🔬 Made for future HS physics teachers (HS seniors → undergrads in teacher prep)

  • 💳 Includes AAPT student membership

• 💰 Amount: Up to $3,000 (renewable up to 4 years)

• ⏰ Deadline: Dec 1, 2025 (current cycle listed)

• 🔗 Apply/info: https://www.aapt.org/programs/grants/lotze.cfm (Deadline page:) https://apps.aapt.org/Lotze/ — ✅. American Association of Physics Teachers, apps.aapt.org

AFCEA — STEM Teacher Scholarships (K–12, for future STEM teachers)

• Why it slaps

  • 🧪 Aimed at credential/MAT candidates heading into STEM teaching

  • 💥 National foundation; recurring cycle

• 💰 Amount: Commonly $2,500 (chapter/partner awards may vary, some $5,000)

• ⏰ Deadline: Annual; see AFCEA page

• 🔗 Apply/info: https://www.afcea.org/stem-teacher-scholarships (Program detail article:) — ✅. AFCEA International

James Madison Graduate Fellowship — for future secondary civics/history teachers

• Why it slaps

  • 🇺🇸 Up to $24,000 toward a master’s in history, political science, or related teacher-prep

  • 🏅 One fellowship per state (as funding permits)

• 💰 Amount: Up to $24,000

• ⏰ Deadline: Annual; current application live per foundation

• 🔗 Apply/info: https://www.jamesmadison.gov/ (Award details:) — ✅. James Madison Foundation

Knowles Teaching Fellows — early-career HS math/science teachers

• Why it slaps

  • 🧠 4–5 years of funding + coaching + community as you start teaching

  • 🎯 Designed for first-/second-year HS STEM teachers

• 💰 Amount: Multi-year financial & professional support (varies)

• ⏰ Deadline: 2026 app window currently open (per site)

• 🔗 Apply/info: https://knowlesteachers.org/teaching-fellowship (Apply page:) — ✅. Knowles Teacher Initiative

NSF Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program (via participating universities)

• Why it slaps

  • 🧮 Federal program that funds campus-run scholarships for future STEM teachers

  • 🔎 Search your university’s Noyce project for slots & service terms

• 💰 Amount: Set by each Noyce-funded institution

• ⏰ Deadline: Campus-specific

• 🔗 Program info (NSF): https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/robert-noyce-teacher-scholarship-program NSF – National Science Foundation

Union Plus — Union Family Scholarships (for union members/dependents)

• Why it slaps

  • 🧰 Many future teachers come from union families (incl. AFT/AFSCME)

  • 💵 $500–$4,000; awarded annually since 1991

• 💰 Amount: $500–$4,000 (one-time; reapply allowed)

• ⏰ Deadline: Annual (winners posted each year)

• 🔗 Apply/info: https://www.unionplus.org/benefits/education/union-plus-scholarships (2025 awards press & winners:) — ✅. Union Plus

🧠 Quick win playbook

• Lead with impact. Essay = student need → your teaching strategy → measurable result.

• Show receipts. Classroom volunteering, para work, tutoring, CTSO/EdRising roles, SPED/ESL/STEM endorsements.

• Ask refs early. 2–3 weeks + brag sheet.

• Submit 48 hrs early. Portals lag; don’t.

• Stack smart. National org (PDK/KDP/AAEE) + subject org (NCTM/AAPT/AFCEA) + state program (see our “By State” page) = chef’s kiss. 🍰

📚 Helpful resources (official)

• FAFSA — unlocks need-based aid + required for many programs: https://studentaid.gov/ — ✅ Verified Aug 24, 2025.

• TEACH Grant details: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/teach — ✅ Verified Aug 24, 2025. Federal Student Aid

• Teacher Loan Forgiveness (up to $17,500): https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/teacher — ✅ Verified Aug 24, 2025. Federal Student Aid

• PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness) help tool: https://studentaid.gov/pslf/ — ✅ Verified Aug 24, 2025. Federal Student Aid

• Praxis Fee Waivers (ETS): up to 3 Core or 1 Subject fee waived if eligible — https://praxis.ets.org/test/takers/register-waivers.html — ✅ Verified Aug 24, 2025. (PDF policy:) — ✅. praxis.ets.org

💬 FAQs

Do I have to be an education major for these?
Many are teacher-prep specific (PDK, KDP, AAEE, AMS, AFCEA). Some (NCTM/AAPT) target subject-area future teachers; Noyce runs through universities for STEM teacher prep; James Madison funds grad study for secondary civics/history teachers. Always check each page’s eligibility. pdkintl.org, kdp.org, aaee.org, The American Montessori Society, AFCEA International, NSF – National Science Foundation, James Madison Foundation

Can I stack TEACH with scholarships here?
Often yes, but stacking can affect your remaining financial need. TEACH comes with a service obligation; if you don’t complete it, the grant converts to a loan. Read the TEACH terms carefully. Federal Student Aid

I’m focused on math/science teaching—best fits?
Check NCTM MET (prospective teacher scholarships), AAPT Lotze (physics teachers), AFCEA (future STEM teachers), Knowles Fellows (early-career HS STEM), and Noyce (via your university). NCTM, American Association of Physics Teachers, AFCEA Internationa, Knowles Teacher Initiative, lNSF – National Science Foundation

What if I’m doing Montessori?
AMS offers teacher-ed scholarships with a clear Feb–Apr cycle most years. Check the current window. The American Montessori Society

Any union-family options?
Yes—Union Plus runs $500–$4,000 awards each year for union members/dependents (AFT/AFSCME included). Union Plus