Teachers are assets to any institution as they are the ones that mold the next generation. The students who wish to continue their education to become progressive teachers should be encouraged and provided with ample support both emotionally and financially. When aspiring student-teachers are being pulled back due to having trouble with paying for the tuition, the country itself is losing quality teachers. Financial assistance helps them to focus on their studies that they can completely forget the burden of paying for college.

The scholarship program aids in bringing out extraordinary teachers to the US so that they can build upon proficiency in any particular area of interest and thereby adding to their teaching skills along with an all-around development. Certain scholarships are dedicated solely to promoting students who are pursuing a degree related to teaching. Some of a few selected scholarships are provided here.

1. The Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Program

The high school seniors and freshmen, together with sophomore Illinois college students, are eligible to apply for the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois program. It is a preparation for becoming a teacher program along with the tuition assistance. Those who are determined and driven by the thought of becoming a teacher who feels they can very effectively reach the students in the Illinois schools-of-need can apply. The scholarship aims at creating aspiring teachers for instant and enduring accomplishment in the most demanding teaching atmosphere.

The scholars are about to acquire a total amount that can assist financially through college and also attain support in gaining a far-reaching classroom teaching experience, academic and social-emotional hold-up, job appointment backing, and guidance from one of the award-winning teaching faculty. The application needs to be complete and attached along with references and personal statements, including unofficial transcripts and SAT or ACT scores. The students have to be citizens of the U.S., eligible non-citizens, and residents of Illinois. Specific eligibility includes being an Illinois High School Senior, Illinois Partner University Freshman or sophomore, or Illinois Community College Student. The students should be maintaining a 2.5 GPA score.

Provided by: Golden Apple
Amount: Up to $23,000
Eligibility: Varies
Deadline: Varies
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2. Ada B. Drake/Hazel M. Oest Scholarship

The scholarship that is provided by Western Illinois University is to back up the full-time students who have acquired the status of junior and accepted into the teacher education program in the College of Education. The students who are interested in applying have to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5, have 65 semester hours, and should have the willingness to teach for a minimum of two years after completing graduation. The amount available very differs considerably based on the annual interest earned on endowment. The ultimate selection of the winner is done by the Office of Teacher Education Scholarship Committee and depends on the academic work, GPA, and financial need. The application has to be accompanied by a concise statement of academic interests; activities involved both on and off-campus, work experience, and strategies for the future.

Provided by: Western Illinois University
Amount: Varies
Eligibility: Varies
Deadline: March 15
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3. Franson-Anderson Endowed Memorial Scholarship

The scholarship is a memorial one which was initially established in 1995 as Franson Endowed scholarship and was renamed in 1999 with the addition of Anderson in the loving memory of Ida Franson’s husband. The scholarship was set up to understand the importance of education and its significance in attaining life’s success. Ida had served as a substitute teacher at the Niles school district for more than 30 years and was famous for their commitment, dedication, and ability to remember the face of the children whom she taught.  Once after her teaching career ended, she continued to serve the community by helping as a librarian in the district. The amount available as a scholarship is not a renewable one and is based on the need of the recipient.

The application has to be submitted along with an essay about the plan for international travel for academic studies. A GPA of 3.0 needs to be maintained, and the applicant needs to in his/her full-time Undergraduate or second bachelor’s majoring in College of Education, preferably Elementary Education. In addition to this, they need to be planning a career in teaching, and the amount obtained should be used for the expenses associated with international travel for academic studies, including student teaching, preferably during their senior year.

Provided by: Illinois State University
Amount: $2500
Eligibility: Senior
Deadline: Varies
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4. The Applegate-Jackson-Parks Future Teacher Scholarship

The prescribed scholarship is to honor three teachers from the Michigan public school who had been removed from the school without any reason other than denial to pay union dues.

The Applegate-Jackson-Parks Future Teacher Scholarship includes one scholarship that is awarded every year to the student who is pursuing education. The student should be the one who preeminently embodies the dedication to principle and high professional standards of Carol Applegate, Kay Jackson, and Dr. Anne Parks. Along with the application, an essay should be submitted by the applicant, and they should be undergraduate and graduate students majoring in education in institutions of higher learning throughout the United States. A teacher presently continuing an advanced education degree such as a master’s degree through a qualified college, university, or other qualifying educational institution can also apply for the scholarship.

Provided by: National Institute for Labor Relations Research, Inc
Amount: $1000
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students majoring in education
Deadline: Yet to be updated
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​5. Blanche J. Martin Scholarship

Blanche J. Martin had been an extraordinary educator all through her life and served as principal, director of education, assistant superintendent for elementary education, and regional superintendent of schools in Winnebago and Boone counties. Owing to her contributions, Winnebago County Retired Teachers Association accepted an endowment from her side that could be used for scholarships after her death in 2007.  According to her wish, the scholarship is given to those who are willing to be teachers in elementary schools. The applicants should be in college majoring in Elementary Education certification. The amount would be made available every year for a selected student based on the number of recognized honorees chosen. The students must be from Winnebago County, having graduated from a school in Winnebago County, or have a permanent family residence in Winnebago County if presently in college. The students should be attending any college or university in the United States.

Provided by: Winnebago County Retired Teachers Association
Amount: Varies
Eligibility: Majoring in Elementary Education
Deadline:  April 15^th, 2022
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6. Fred Kunz Memorial Scholarship

The scholarship is offered by the Fred Kunz family through Winnebago County Retired Teachers Association. It is open to those students in the area who have the desire to be teachers. The endowment is given to the students who are dedicated to attaining a college degree with teacher certification. The application has to be included with the records of volunteer work, deserving personal characteristics, and academic success. Along with the application, there should be an attachment of three letters of recommendation from a former or current teacher, a person who has supervised the applicant’s volunteer work, and a community member certifying the character and work ethic. This should also accompany a present transcript copy and a typed essay on the reason for being deserving of the scholarship, along with a rundown of the volunteer work done.

Provided by: Winnebago County Retired Teachers Association
Amount: $2000
Eligibility: Students who desire to become teachers
Deadline: May 15^th, 2022
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7. Nancy Larson Foundation College Scholarship

The Nancy Larson Foundation is pompous to fund scholarships for college students studying to become elementary school teachers. The students in the category of juniors, seniors, and graduates who have declared elementary education major are invited to apply. The completed application has to be submitted together with an official transcript, résumé with employment history, activities, community service, and paid positions and/or internships involving work with children and a narrative about personal experiences that have inspired them to teach and personal traits they possess that will help them in their teaching career. The Foundation was started to hearten and prop up potential teachers by Nancy Larson, who was the author of the nationally successful Saxon Math K–4.

Provided by: The Nancy Larson Foundation
Amount: Varies
Eligibility: Varies
Deadline: Varies
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8. Warren “Billy” Cherry Scholarship

The scholarship is aimed at graduates of the Evanston Township High School or those who attended ETHS and successively acquired a Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED). Those who are continuing their associate, bachelor, or graduate degree in education or youth work or enrolled as full-time or part-time students can also apply for the award. The scholarship selection is based on certain criteria like; success in overcoming poor academic achievement, lack of focus, or other personal challenges, interest in working with young people, community involvement, Leadership, sensitivity, compassion, commitment, and a love of children. Beyond all these, they should have a substantial need for financial assistance. The amount is provided as $2000 textbook and grants for full-time students and $6000 grants for full-time scholars.

Provided by: Warren Billy Cherry Scholarship Fund
Amount: Varies
Eligibility: Graduates/ graduate diploma
Deadline: March 11, 2022
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9. Norman Brown Scholarship

A need-based scholarship is provided for a graduating high school senior or current college or graduate student who is continuing their education to take up a career in teaching. The applicants have to be citizens of the United States, and they have to be attending or accepted into a 4 year U.S. college or university. The application has to be supplemented by the official transcript.

Provided by: Brown medical and educational foundation
Amount: Varies
Eligibility: Graduating high school senior
Deadline: April 30^th
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10. AFT Robert G. Porter Scholars Program

The students who are dependents of AFT members and are high school students or graduating high school seniors are open to applying for the AFT Robert G. Porter Scholars Program.  It put forth four 4-year post-secondary scholarships. It also comes up with 10 one-time grants to AFT members. The number of grants can be used for continuing education and also for the execution of programs or introducing tools in the classroom, workplace, and/or community. The proficient high school students with stupendous service to their community and an understanding of the contributions unions can make to build beyond a society are eligible for the scholarship.

The award is disbursed based on the academic achievement, commitment to community services and school-related activities, demonstration of leadership, work experience, recommendations, special talents and skills, an essay, and a commitment to advancing the interests of working people and building unions. The scholarship is extended as four $2,000 annual payments to the recipient or maybe to the higher education institution attended by the recipient. In order for the scholarship to be continued, the recipient has to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and continue enrollment and agreeable progress toward a degree.

Provided by: The American Federation of Teachers
Amount: $8000, $1000
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors
Deadline: Yet to be updated
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