We are excited to share our scholarship opportunities for future educators who choose to attend Catawba College. These scholarship opportunities are available for first-year, traditional students and transfer students.
All students planning to major in Elementary Education, Special Education, or Middle Grades Education, as well as students planning to minor in Secondary Education (9-12) or Specials Subjects (Music or Theatre, K-12), are eligible for one of the following scholarships.
Your application to Catawba College serves also as your scholarship application; however, students must note their intent to pursue education (teaching). Applicants are only eligible to receive one of the above scholarships (i.e. Students can receive either a West Scholarship, an Opportunities in Education Scholarship, or a Commit to Teacher Education Scholarship).
To continue to receive the scholarship each academic year, recipients must declare a major or minor in Education by the end of their freshman year (or first year at Catawba for transfers), qualify for admittance to Teacher Education prior to 3000-level coursework, and maintain at least a 3.0 GPA after admittance to Teacher Education. Recipients must also demonstrate progress toward completion of the education major/minor through completion of required coursework each semester.
REQUIREMENTS FOR FIRST-YEAR, TRADITIONAL STUDENTS
Please note that applicants transferring with fewer than 12 earned transferable college credit hours will be considered using the freshman scholarship criteria.
WEST TEACHING SCHOLARSHIP
The West Teaching Scholarship awards students in the education field up to $12,000 in addition to academic scholarships awarded by Catawba, except for Socratic Scholarships.
Eligibility for West Scholarships
In order to be eligible for these scholarships, students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 4.0. and must submit SAT or ACT scores (an SAT score of 1170 or ACT score of 24 is required).
OPPORTUNITIES IN EDUCATION
The Opportunities in Education Scholarship awards students interested in the field of education up to $10,000 in addition to academic scholarships awarded by Catawba, except for Socratic Scholarships.
Eligibility for Opportunities in Education Scholarships
The Opportunities in Education Scholarship is designed to provide more affordable post-secondary access to college and to encourage the pursuit of opportunities in the field of education. Eligibility for these scholarships requires a cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.5.
COMMIT TO TEACHER EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
For students who do not qualify for either the West Teaching Scholarship or Opportunities in Education Scholarship, the Teacher Education Department also offers the "Commit to Teacher Education Scholarship." Recipients of this scholarship will receive $2000 per year, with an increase to $4000 per year once successfully accepted in the Teacher Education program. To apply, note your intent to major or minor in education on your application to Catawba College. To continue to receive the scholarship, recipients must declare a major or minor in Education by the end of their first year at Catawba, qualify for admittance to Teacher Education during the first semester of and complete the coursework required for the major or minor selected in Education.
REQUIREMENTS FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS
Applicants transferring with 12 or more earned transferable college credit hours will be evaluated using cumulative transferable college GPA in lieu of high school GPA. Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) will not be required for transfer applicants with 12 or more transferable credit hours.
WEST TEACHING SCHOLARSHIP
The West Teaching Scholarship awards students in the education field up to $12,000 in addition to academic scholarships awarded by Catawba, except for Socratic Scholarships.
Transfer Eligibility for West Scholarships
In order to be eligible for these scholarships, students must have a cumulative transfer GPA of at least 3.7 and indicate their desire to become an educator in their application materials. Applicants should also note the desired discipline or grade level they wish to teach (ex: Elementary, High School Biology, etc.).
OPPORTUNITIES IN EDUCATION
The Opportunities in Education Scholarship awards students interested in the field of education up to $10,000 in addition to academic scholarships awarded by Catawba, except for Socratic Scholarships. The Opportunities in Education Scholarship is designed to provide more affordable post-secondary access to college and to encourage the pursuit of opportunities in the field of education.
Transfer Eligibility for Opportunities in Education Scholarships
Eligibility for these scholarships requires a cumulative college GPA of at least 3.2. Applicants must indicate their desire to become an educator in their application materials and should also note the desired discipline or grade level they wish to teach (ex: Elementary, High School Biology, etc.).
COMMIT TO TEACHER EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
For transfer students who do not qualify for either the West Teaching Scholarship or Opportunities in Education Scholarship, the Teacher Education Department also offers the "Commit to Teacher Education Scholarship." Recipients of this scholarship will receive $2000 per year, with an increase to $4000 per year once successfully accepted in the Teacher Education program. To apply, complete the online application for the scholarship, noting your intent to major or minor in Education.
If you have any questions, please contact the Dean of the School of Education, Dr. Kim Creamer.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATION MAJORS
TeachNC
In addition to Catawba’s educational scholarships, applicants interested in teaching may want to consider funding from TeachNC. To claim your reimbursement, follow these 3 easy steps:
- Create a TeachNC account
- Submit your application to our program
- Claim your reimbursement!
TeachNC, in partnership with North Carolina’s Governor’s Office, NC DPI, and Study.com, is excited to offer up to $100 in exam support to reduce the barriers educators face in entering the profession.
This includes beginner teachers.
If you take your Praxis, Pearson or complete your EdTPA on or after July 1, 2022 and are a current classroom educator– you’re eligible for reimbursement. What expenses are eligible? There are lots of options! See below.
You can:
- Get unlimited access to Praxis test prep materials through Study.com at no cost to you!
- Request a Praxis voucher so you can register for the test for free – this includes if you need to retake the exam!
- Submit reimbursements for additional exams, like the Pearson or EdTPA, previous exam attempts, and/or study materials you feel better suit your learning style (maybe 1-on-1 tutoring)!
You can use all of the above or pick and choose what you need! Whatever it is, TeachNC has you covered up to $100. Keep that cash in your pocket.
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Forgivable Education Loans for Service (FELS)
In addition to Catawba’s educational scholarships, applicants interested in teaching may also want to consider FELS, which provides financial assistance to qualified students enrolled in an approved education program and committed to working in critical employment shortage professions in North Carolina. Currently the approved programs/shortage professions include teachers of math, science, middle grades, and special education. FELS loan recipients are required to teach in an approved position in a North Carolina school in order to repay the loan; generally, a loan for one academic year will be forgiven for one year of full-time employment.
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Funding and Support for Teacher Education Candidates
At the Goodman School of Education, we are committed to supporting our teacher education candidates from program entry through licensure and into their first classroom. Through intentional funding and strategic supports, we aim to reduce barriers and promote success every step of the way.
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