School of Education Scholarships

Apply for Scholarships

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the IU School of Education in Indianapolis is able to award up to $80,000 of scholarship support for undergraduate and graduate education students for the Fall 2023 academic year. There are more than 20 scholarships available, with a minimum award of $1,000 to support students’ academic endeavors.

Education students also have opportunities for IU Indianapolis and all campus scholarships.

Search Scholarships  |  General Eligibility

Undergraduate Scholarships


Undergraduate scholarships are awarded to students who have been accepted into or enrolled in the Teacher Education program in the Fall semester.


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Awarded to an undergrad student enrolled in the School and pursuing teacher certification who can demonstrate financial need. Must have a 3.0 GPA. Special consideration shall be given to minority students. Students who receive the scholarship for their junior year shall be eligible to apply again for their senior year, so long as they remain qualified.

Awarded to a recent December or May graduate in the School of Education elementary and secondary programs, who has worked to support the cost of attending IU Indianapolis and have exhibited outstanding service and/or leadership through the IU Indianapolis teacher preparation program.

The scholarships benefactor, Dr. Michael Cohen, was inspired by his major professor, Verne N. Rockcastle at Cornell University, in manner similar to that of Charles R. Ault Jr. The following quote from Ault's book Challenging Science Standards: A Skeptical Critique of the Quest for Unity, is particularly relevant. It states "My principle mentor, Verne N. Rockcastle, revealed how to find fascination everywhere and turn it to educational advantage. 'Rocky' taught me to be doggedly persistent in the connection of concepts to experiences." This quote encompasses how Michael feels one should approach teaching.

This gift be used to support an annual scholarship for an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in the School of Education who demonstrates how he/she finds fascination everywhere and turns it to educational advantage and how he/she is doggedly persistent in the connection of concepts to experiences as determined by the Scholarship Committee. The Scholarship may be renewed provided that the recipient remains enrolled in the School. The amount and recipient of the Scholarship will be determined by the Scholarship Committee of the School.

Awarded to one undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in the IU School of Education in Indianapolis who has a record of academic excellence, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to urban education, with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. Special consideration will be given to underrepresented populations, including but not limited to financially challenged students, students with diverse cultural experiences, and students pursuing dual certification in teacher education and special education.

Awarded to one undergraduate or graduate student who is enrolled in the School with an interest in teaching in public schools in the state of Indiana. Special consideration will be given to underrepresented populations, including but not limited to financially challenged students, and/or students with diverse cultural experiences. Preference will be given to students of Muslim faith, when possible.

Awarded to students enrolled in the School demonstrating academic excellence, leadership, and service.

Awarded to an undergraduate student who has been accepted into the Teacher Education Program with a secondary education major pursuing certification in Social Studies or Language Arts. Must have a 3.0 GPA. Special consideration shall be given to an undergraduate, non-traditional, returning adult student. Preference will be given to students who have demonstrated:

  1. a commitment to social justice and diversity in human relations and
  2. knowledge and understanding of the history of the Jewish Holocaust through individual study, university assignments, or public school classroom activities.

Additional Criteria:
Write a brief essay (500 words or less) on either of the following topics:

  1. “Describe your personal and professional commitment to social justice and diversity in public education.”
  2. “Why is it important to teach the history of the Jewish Holocaust to youth in Indiana?”

Awarded to an undergraduate student who is enrolled in the School and is interested in becoming a teacher in a public school. Special consideration will be given to underrepresented populations, including but not limited to, financially challenged students and/or students with diverse cultural experiences. Special consideration given to students of Latino descent and who have been engaged with the Latino community.

Additional Criteria:
Describe the nature of your civic engagement with the Latino/a community (500 words or less).

Awarded to an undergraduate student enrolled in the School with an interest in teaching in public schools in the state of Indiana. Special consideration will be given to underrepresented populations, including but not limited to financially challenged students, and/or students with diverse cultural experiences. Preference will be given to students of Muslim faith, when possible.

The Mary and O’Dell Thompkins Scholarship will be given to a School of Education undergraduate student who has been accepted into the Teacher Education Program, is majoring in elementary education, and has a record of academic excellence as demonstrated by a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale, with preference given to a GPA of 3.2 or higher. In selecting the recipient, preference shall be given to an African American female. The amount and recipient of the Scholarship will be determined by the Scholarship Committee of the School.

Awarded to undergraduate students in the School of Education or graduate students enrolled in a teacher preparation program. Special consideration will be given to underrepresented populations, including but not limited to financially challenged students, and/or students with diverse cultural experiences. Preference will be given to African American students who intend to teach in traditional public schools.

Awarded to a full-time undergrad student enrolled in the IU School of Education in Indianapolis and accepted into the Teacher Education program. The recipient must be majoring in elementary education with a demonstrated interest in special education, literacy, or early childhood, and who has a record of academic excellence as demonstrated by a GPA of 3.0 on a 4 point scale, and who demonstrates financial need. Preference shall be given to a non-traditional returning woman student.

Additional Criteria:
Describe in one paragraph your interest in special education, literacy, or early childhood.

Awarded to full-time undergraduate students majoring in Elementary Education within the Teacher Education Program at the School of Education who have a record of academic excellence as demonstrated by a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, demonstrated financial need, and a demonstrated interest in special education, literacy, or early childhood. Because, as part of its mission, Indiana University is committed to diversity, special consideration will be given to underrepresented populations, including but not limited to financially challenged students, and/or students with diverse cultural experiences. The Donors have a preference for non-traditional, returning female students.

Additional Criteria:
Describe in one paragraph your interest in special education, literacy, or early childhood.

Awarded to a full or part-time undergraduate student enrolled in the School who has achieved the status of either sophomore or junior standing, majoring in elementary education, reading, or language arts, who has a record of academic excellence as demonstrated by a GPA of 3.0 on a 4 point scale, and demonstrated financial need. Preference shall be giving to recipients who have been in the upper half of their high school graduating class. In addition, recipient’s participation in extracurricular and service activities will be given consideration. Students who receive the scholarship for their junior year shall be eligible to apply again for their senior year, so long as they remain qualified.

Additional Criteria:
Write a brief essay (500 words or less) describing your intentions to pursue teaching as a profession and indicate how you plan to enhance the education of young people in Indiana.

Awarded to students enrolled in the School and admitted into Teacher Education Program. Must have a 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need. Special consideration shall be given to applicants who will be student teaching during the academic year.

Awarded to one student (undergraduate, graduate or graduate non-degree certification) pursuing mathematics education with demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to students from New Castle, IN or Henry County. Must have a 3.0 GPA.

Gifts are to be used to support students wishing to teach in the United States of America. Gifts are to be used to support international travel RISE scholarships for undergraduate students in the IU School of Education in Indianapolis, to countries with Muslim populations (including the United States of America). Recipients will be required to observe and learn about Islamic culture in its many forms, including but not limited to that of the arts, architecture, social and racial justice. Following the students study, they are expected to present their experiences while emphasizing what is and what is not Islam with faculty, staff, students in the School and beyond within six months of their return.

Additional Criteria:
Write a brief essay (500 words or less) regarding the country you plan to travel to, and how you will learn about Islam, Islamic art and Islamic architecture, encompassing all three during your international travel. Include a plan for developing a presentation to fellow School of Education faculty and students demonstrating this learning.

Graduate Scholarships


Graduate scholarships are awarded to students that have been accepted into or enrolled in a graduate program (Grad cert, MSED, PhD) in the Fall semester.


Search and Apply

The scholarships benefactor, Dr. Michael Cohen, was inspired by his major professor, Verne N. Rockcastle at Cornell University, in manner similar to that of Charles R. Ault Jr. The following quote from Ault's book Challenging Science Standards: A Skeptical Critique of the Quest for Unity, is particularly relevant. It states "My principle mentor, Verne N. Rockcastle, revealed how to find fascination everywhere and turn it to educational advantage. 'Rocky' taught me to be doggedly persistent in the connection of concepts to experiences." This quote encompasses how Michael feels one should approach teaching.

This gift be used to support an annual scholarship for an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in the School of Education who demonstrates how he/she finds fascination everywhere and turns it to educational advantage and how he/she is doggedly persistent in the connection of concepts to experiences as determined by the Scholarship Committee. The Scholarship may be renewed provided that the recipient remains enrolled in the School. The amount and recipient of the Scholarship will be determined by the Scholarship Committee of the School.

Awarded to one undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in the IU School of Education in Indianapolis who has a record of academic excellence, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to urban education, with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. Special consideration will be given to underrepresented populations, including but not limited to financially challenged students, students with diverse cultural experiences, and students pursuing dual certification in teacher education and special education.

Awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student who is enrolled in the School with an interest in teaching in public schools in the state of Indiana. Special consideration will be given to underrepresented populations, including but not limited to financially challenged students, and/or students with diverse cultural experiences. Preference will be given to students of Muslim faith, when possible.

Awarded to students enrolled in the School demonstrating academic excellence, leadership, and service.

Awarded to undergraduate students in the School of Education or graduate students enrolled in a teacher preparation program. Special consideration will be given to underrepresented populations, including but not limited to financially challenged students, and/or students with diverse cultural experiences. Preference will be given to African American students who intend to teach in traditional public schools.

Awarded to a full or part-time undergraduate student enrolled in the School who has achieved the status of either sophomore or junior standing, majoring in elementary education, reading, or language arts, who has a record of academic excellence as demonstrated by a GPA of 3.0 on a 4 point scale, and demonstrated financial need. Preference shall be giving to recipients who have been in the upper half of their high school graduating class. In addition, recipient’s participation in extracurricular and service activities will be given consideration. Students who receive the scholarship for their junior year shall be eligible to apply again for their senior year, so long as they remain qualified.

Additional Criteria:
Write a brief essay (500 words or less) describing your intentions to pursue teaching as a profession and indicate how you plan to enhance the education of young people in Indiana.

Awarded to students enrolled in the School and admitted into Teacher Education Program. Must have a 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need. Special consideration shall be given to applicants who will be student teaching during the academic year.

Awarded to a student (undergraduate, graduate or graduate non-degree certification) pursuing mathematics education with demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to students from New Castle, IN or Henry County. Must have a 3.0 GPA.

Awarded to a graduate student in the Aspiring Teacher Alternative Certification Program who has an interest in urban education.

Doctoral Candidates

Intended for a graduate student who has been accepted into the Doctoral program at IU School of Education in Indianapolis, is in good academic standing, and is full-time. Special consideration will be given to underrepresented populations, specifically a Black woman, including but not limited to financially challenged students, and/or students with diverse cultural experiences.

Scholarship Details and Deadlines

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Step 1: Review scholarship descriptions; opportunities open December 23rdStep 2: Gather materials based on the general criteriaStep 3: Complete application and submit materials by January 29th

What happens next?

February - Scholarship Committee will review applications
March - Scholarship Committee will notify the finalists
April - Finalists are required to submit acceptance materials (letter, professional photo, photo consent)
ASAP - Finalists confirm participation in Scholarship Celebration - hosted annually in the Fall


Questions? Contact.

LaVerne Johnson  |  Monica Medina