Scholarships & Financial Aid

Tuition scholarships will be awarded on a competitive basis by the Education Department to a limited number of incoming M.A. in Education students who demonstrate the potential to make outstanding contributions to the profession.

Eligibility:
To be considered, you must be accepted to the M.A. in Education by April 15.

Preference will be given to:

• Applicants with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a conferred undergraduate or graduate degree.
• Applicants with a proven dedication to or intention to work with students in rural areas or with underrepresented populations.
• Applicants seeking credentials in Math, Science, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education or Special Education.
• Applicants from underrepresented populations.
• Applicants who demonstrate a high level of financial need.

How to apply:
Students admitted to the program by April 15 will be sent instructions on how to apply.

Available to:
Graduate students who are degree-seeking, demonstrate financial need and maintain a minimum of 3.0 grade point average.

Provided by:
Dr. Donald P. Timm (B.A. ’52) through The Greater Milwaukee Foundation.

Amount:
Eight to ten scholarships of up to $1,000 are available to students enrolled in the licensure year of the program. Two to three scholarships of up to $500 are available to students who have earned their teaching license and are pursuing a Master’s degree in Education.

Selected by:
Western Education Department Scholarship Selection Committee.

Application:
Students who are accepted by April 15 will be eligible to apply.

• The Graduate Scholarship Application Cover Sheet
• A Word document consisting of one paragraph on how you meet the scholarship’s criteria and another paragraph on what sets you apart from other candidates.

Submission:
Graduate Student Scholarship Application form should be emailed to education@western.edu.

Eligibility

Exceptional Residents are those students seeking licensure who stand out as promising teachers. Candidates for the award should exhibit the following criteria:

• Shows respect for differences and a commitment to serving all students regardless of their race, ethnicity, culture, religion, language, cognitive ability, gender or sexuality.
• Demonstrates a growth mindset in the face of challenges and responds constructively to feedback. Shows willingness to reflect upon practice.
• Goes above and beyond to builds strong relationships with students, parents, colleagues and the local community. Is supportive and positive when interacting with others.
• Exhibits curiosity and is innovative in lesson design and delivery.
• Shows a willingness to try new things and to thoughtfully assess their effectiveness.
• Demonstrates leadership by taking initiative to be part of the school team. For example, shares strategies and ideas learned in Western courses with mentor and other colleagues in a constructive manner.

Description

The Education Department at Western has a tradition of preparing quality educators to serve the needs of diverse students, communities, and school districts in Colorado and beyond. The Department shares a belief that great teachers are collaborative, thoughtful, responsive and committed to ensuring educational equity. Such teachers exude compassion and respect. This award is intended to recognize those residents who exemplify these qualities and embody the Department’s highest ideals of excellence in the classroom.

Award

• Recognition at graduation with a cord and reimbursement of up to $500 for travel expenses to attend graduation at Western
• Certificate presented at the placement school by the resident’s regional coordinator and/or clinical coach
• Recognition on Western’s Education Department website
• Scholarship of up to three graduate credits to be used towards completion of a master’s degree at Western

Selection

The selection team consists of clinical coaches and the director of educator licensure, but feedback is solicited from mentor teachers, regional coordinators and other instructors.

Many external grants and scholarships are available to educators. By visiting one of the following links, you will be taken to a website that is not affiliated with Western. Western is not responsible for and does not endorse, guarantee or monitor content, availability, viewpoints, products or services that are offered or expressed on other websites.

STATE OF COLORADO

• Educator Recruitment and Retention – for Alternative Licensure students in rural districts
• Colorado Rural Student Teaching Stipend
• Colorado Rural Inservice Educator Stipend
• Colorado Rural Teaching Fellowship
• TEACH Colorado: Application & Praxis Fee Reimbursement
• TEACH Colorado: Scholarship

NATIONAL

• American Chemistry Society: ACH-Hach Second Career Teacher Scholarship
• La Unidad Latina Foundation
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
• National Association for Campus Activities
• Pat Tillman Foundation, Tillman Military Scholars
• United Negro College Fund

Candidates taking five or more credits may apply for federal loans and may be eligible for repayment or loan forgiveness programs:

Colorado Educator Loan Forgiveness

IBR Info (Income-Based Repayment)

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

View payment due dates and payment options