State of Indiana accepting applications for teaching scholarship, stipends

SOURCE: News release from Indiana Commission for Higher Education

(INDIANAPOLIS) – Three scholarship and stipend opportunities for student teachers are open for the 2020-2021 school year, according to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. Funding is available for Black and Hispanic students, as well as those who plan to teach in high-need fields, such as math, science or Special Education.

Scholarship: 

  • William A. Crawford Minority Teacher Scholarship: Open to minority students (defined as Black or Hispanic individuals) who intend to pursue, or are currently pursuing a course of study that would enable them to teach in an accredited Indiana school. Eligible students may receive up to $4,000 annually. Application deadline: August 31, 2020.

Stipends:

  • Earline S. Rogers Student Teaching Stipend for Minorities: This stipend is available for minority students (defined as Black or Hispanic individuals) who plan to participate in student teaching or a school administration internship as part of their degree requirements during the semester they receive the stipend. Application deadline: September 30, 2020.
  • Student Teaching Stipend for High-Need Fields: The Student Teaching Stipend for High-Need Fields is available for students who plan to teach: Special Education (any grade), middle school math, middle school science, high school math or high school science. Application deadline: September 30, 2020.

Students who receive the scholarship/stipends agree to apply for teaching positions in Indiana and, if hired, teach in the state for at least three years.

Apply through ScholarTrack and view a full listing of eligibility requirements at www.che.in.gov. For instructions on how to apply, visit learnmoreindiana.org/futureteacher.

The Commission has been focused on increasing diversity in the educator pipeline, specifically calling out various strategies to do so in its fourth strategic plan, Reaching Higher in a State of Change, including ensuring more people of color utilize state scholarship funding and increasing the number of minority students enrolling and completing Educator Preparation Programs.

Currently, just 5.5 percent of educators in Indiana are Black or Hispanic. Regarding the teacher pipeline, only 11 percent of student teachers who are enrolled in Educator Preparation Programs are underrepresented minorities.

“Studies show underrepresented students do better academically when they have the opportunity to learn from a teacher of color at some point in their educational careers,” said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers. “We must encourage more students of color to view teaching as a professional option for their lives. That is vital to our work of attracting more quality teachers to better serve Hoosier students.”

Visit www.scholartrack.in.gov to apply for the scholarship and stipends, or call the Commission’s Financial Aid Support Center at (888) 528-4719 for assistance.