If you're a teacher, earning your master's degree in K-12 Education can open the door to even greater opportunities in your career.
However, graduate school can be really expensive. That's where grants come in — and teachers have access to plenty of those.
With grants that you never have to pay back, you could drastically reduce the cost of your graduate education.
Read on to learn how to find the best grant opportunities, so you can save money on your master's degree and boost your education career.
Federal Grants
While graduate students aren't eligible to receive the Pell Grant, the most famous federal grant, there is other money available.
TEACH Grant
Specifically for teachers, the TEACH Grant offers up to $4,000 per year in free financial assistance provided you maintain at least a 3.25 GPA.
Unlike many grants, the TEACH Grant comes with a service obligation. You pledge to spend at least four years teaching:
- elementary or secondary school
- in a low-income district
- in a high-need field
If you don't meet the service obligation within eight years after you earn your master's degree, your grant will be converted into a loan.
However, as long as you complete the service obligation, your TEACH Grant funds never have to be repaid.
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
After completing one year of AmeriCorps service, you become eligible for the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award.
The amount of a full-time award is equal to the maximum amount of a Pell Grant, which you can't get as a graduate student.
If you're awarded an AmeriCorps grant, you can only use it to cover current education expenses — not living expenses.
You can also use an AmeriCorps grant to pay back federal student loans that you incurred during your undergrad education.
Fulbright Grant
The Fulbright Grant is designed for individual study or research projects, or for teachers teaching English in other countries.
To qualify for this grant, you must spend at least one academic year attending school and teaching in another country.
Before you can commit to a country, you must also be able to prove that you have sufficient knowledge of the language spoken in that country.
Fulbright Grants typically cover one year of study abroad, plus a stipend for living expenses, although the total varies significantly.
James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation
The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation was established by Congress in 1986.
The Foundation is an independent agency of the executive branch focused on improving Constitutional education in secondary schools.
If you are a teacher of American government, American history, or civics at the secondary level, you could be eligible.
The grant requires a service obligation to teach American government, American history, or civics in secondary school for one year.
State Grants
Many states offer grants to teachers going to graduate school, especially those who teach in-demand subject areas.
Like the federal TEACH Grant, state grants often come with a service obligation attached.
Many state grants require you to teach specifically in that state for a number of years. You may also have to attend school in that state.
State grants can usually be combined with the TEACH Grant, as long as the total isn't greater than your cost of attendance.
Grants from Nonprofit Organizations
Nonprofit organizations typically offer grants targeted at specific gender or ethnic groups, particularly racial and ethnic minorities.
Think about your identity and apply to as many of these grants as you're eligible for — they could significantly reduce your education costs.
American Association of University Women
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) offers career development grants for women advancing their careers.
The grant program is designed to provide funds for women seeking a master's degree in high-demand fields, including education.
Grants from $2,000 to $20,000 are available for both online and on-campus accredited degree programs.
In addition to tuition, the grant money can be used to pay for books, supplies, local transportation, or dependent care.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) provides grants to graduate students of Hispanic ethnicity every year.
Awards range from $500 to $5,000, based on relative need, and can be used to cover tuition and living expenses.
HSF scholars also have access to a lot of resources from the fund, including career services, mentorship, and leadership development.
To be eligible for an HSF award, you must maintain a GPA of at least 2.5 in all of your undergraduate and graduate classes.
National Art Education Foundation
The National Art Education Foundation (NAEF) offers grants to teachers in graduate school who are focused on visual arts education.
The independent nonprofit organization also offers numerous professional development programs and other benefits.
Grants are awarded based on your submission of a specific project of interest, including graduate research work.
The amount of the grant awarded depends on the budget and scale you lay out for your project, as well as the available funds.
Grant-Finding Resources
When you're looking for grants, start by identifying a specific need that you can fulfill as a teacher. Then, search for related organizations.
For example, if you're teaching in a STEM field, you might look for grants from science and technology firms.
GetEdFunding and GrantWatch are two searchable online databases that can help you find grants you might qualify for.
The National Education Association Foundation also has links and resources for teachers seeking grants to cover graduate school.
Learn More About Grants for Teachers
If you're a teacher who's thinking about going to graduate school, use grants to significantly reduce the cost of your master's degree.
