Are you an aspiring teacher looking to obtain your initial teaching license?
Or, are you a seasoned educator looking for funding to support your classroom endeavors?
Perhaps you are even seeking the finances to further your own education!
Costs can be seemingly high at times, but the good news is that there are funding options available to take some of the pressure off, no matter what US state you are looking for a teaching job in.
Here are the three essential funds that aspiring teachers can benefit from.
- Title 2 funds. These funds are distributed to schools for the recruitment of teachers and for retaining and developing teachers.
- Grants. Grants are money “granted” to teachers for their use without requiring repayment.
- Scholarships. Scholarships can be applied for in numerous areas of interest. They are especially great for you if you gain your initial teaching license in college.
How are Title II funds used?
Title II funds are available for schools in every US state.
The money is given to schools annually based on the poverty levels of each school district.
This is designed to help schools hire new teachers to fill their classrooms and keep the teachers they already have by paying for professional development.
For more information, you should check out the individual state requirements and your specific goals for Title II funding.
How can aspiring teachers pay for their education?
The simple answer is grants and scholarships. We’ve included a list of both to help those looking for initial licenses, graduate programs, or professional development.
TEACH Grant
The TEACH grant funds $4,000 for students pursuing a teaching degree.
The requirements are to teach in a high-need field at a low-income school upon graduation for 4 years if you don’t want to pay back the grant, with interest.
High-need teaching areas include STEM courses, reading specialists, foreign language, bilingual education, and special education.
If you are interested in teaching one of these subject areas, this grant is an excellent option to pay for some of your education.
STEM Teacher Graduate Scholarship
This scholarship benefits students who are looking to teach STEM courses.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) teachers are in high demand, so the scholarship worth $2,500 can help you if this is your passion.
James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation
This scholarship is awarded to college seniors and graduates who intend to pursue a master’s degree to teach secondary history, government, or civics.
This subject area is yet another sought-after position in education. The grant is an excellent opportunity if you’re a little further along in your teacher education.
Funds for Teachers
This unique grant is for educators seeking to continue their education.
The best part is that it is worth $5,000 to $10,000 and allows teachers to create their own professional development programs.
After all, teachers already hold so much wisdom that will help them enhance their knowledge for the classroom.
Emerging Teacher-Leaders in Elementary School Mathematics Grants
If you are an elementary teacher looking to strengthen your knowledge in mathematics, then you are eligible for a math-focused grant of up to $6,000.
Prospective 7-12 Secondary Teacher Course Work Scholarships
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics offers up to $10,000 to teachers who are pursuing a job teaching math to secondary students!
No matter your niche or interests, there is a grant available that can support your growth.
How can teachers get money for their classrooms?
Purchasing supplies or adding more intensive lesson plans to your classroom can cost a lot of money.
So, instead of paying for it out of pocket, check out some of these options for adding new experiences and supplies to your classroom.
Student Success Grants
The Student Success Grant is given to teachers in the amounts of either $1,500 or $5,000.
The National Education Association created this fund to help educators get an abundance of supplies, materials, and technology for the classroom.
Supply a Teacher
The Kids in Need Foundation are the creators of Supply a Teacher.
This grant gives educators and schools the opportunity to receive the specific supplies that they will need for one semester in the classroom.
While items can be donated from other people, you will receive two boxes filled with the supplies you need, sent directly to your school.
Fulbright Teachers for Global Classroom Program
This fantastic program pays for teachers to take trips abroad and bring that knowledge back to their classrooms to enhance existing lessons with rich new perspectives and stories.
Imagine going to Stratford, England to learn more about Shakespeare and complementing your English lessons with all the new experiences.
You could even travel to France and reinforce your language skills during French lessons.
Target Field Trip Grants
As a corporation, Target funds an educational field trip for your classroom.
Each Target store receives 3 field trip grants to benefit the schools in their community. Take advantage of this one to get your transportation and admission paid for!
The National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts offers multiple grants throughout the year to fund arts education, theater, music, and more within your school.
This is a beautiful opportunity for art and music teachers!
The Literary Empowerment Foundation Book Matching Grant
The Literary Empowerment Foundation Book Matching Grant adds more books to your classrooms and library.
Regardless of your students’ grade level or reading level, the funds provided will allow you to double the number of books you can purchase with funding of up to $20,000.
NEA Foundation Student Achievement Grants
This grant is a fantastic opportunity for teachers looking to add more critical thinking and problem-solving skills to the classroom.
It is designed to put tools and materials that will help your students accelerate their academic achievement. The funds can be used for materials, supplies, field trips, and technological improvements.
An abundance of funding
We want to support you on your way to becoming an excellent teacher.
Whether you want to get into your first classroom or travel abroad to inspire your lessons for this upcoming school year, we hope these grants and scholarships will support and fund your endeavors.
May they even inspire your work so that you can fully show up for your students and their development!
Leave a comment below, letting us know how these grants, and others, have benefitted you and your classroom.
Let’s continue to inspire one another, sharing stories and ideas that increase financial freedom and support educators around the world.
Learn more about Klassroom's Teacher Certification Program and new Special Education certification program in Arizona.