Scholarships and Emergency Assistance

The College of Education ASPIRE to Teach Fund was created to provide short-term assistance to teacher candidates (undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree) and candidates in related fields (e.g., school counseling, social work, SLP) with unanticipated financial challenges for which the candidate requires immediate funds but does not otherwise have access to the necessary funding or financial support. The grant is intended to provide minor relief of a financial burden so the candidate may continue working to become a professional educator at MTSU. Funds may be granted for use towards basic needs such as gas, groceries, utilities, and other necessities. Funds are not intended to cover more substantial school expenses such as tuition or licensure assessments.

To be eligible for grant consideration, candidates must:

• be admitted to the Teacher Education Program,
• be in good academic standing,
• demonstrate satisfactory academic progress as determined by the MTSU Financial Aid office, and
• be able to provide documentation for financial need. Documentation examples include car payments, utility bills, grocery receipts, driving route maps, etc.

Students currently on financial aid warning, probation, or suspension are not eligible. Students receiving other forms of financial aid may not receive the ASPIRE to Teach Grant if it will cause them to exceed their allowable Total Cost of Attendance calculation.

To apply, complete this dynamic form and submit with PDF attachments. Complete applications should include a response to each prompt and details regarding the short-term need. Applications are reviewed year-round. The grant is funded entirely by donors (and funds are limited) who are committed to assisting MTSU students who aspire to make a difference through teaching. Awards typically range from $250 to $700.

Daisy Briscoe Annual Scholarship 

This scholarship supports graduate students pursuing a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Elementary Education or Reading.  

Ethel Bowden Stricklin Endowed Scholarship in Ph.D. in Literacy Studies  

Supports students pursuing a Ph.D. in the Literacy Studies program at MTSU with this scholarship for students who have and maintain a high academic excellence standard and are highly recommended by faculty, colleagues, or supervisors.  

Leniel Edwards Endowed Scholarship in Library Science  

This scholarship honors Leniel Edwards, a former teacher of Richard Warwick, for the purpose of providing scholarships to students enrolled in the Master of Library Science Program in the College of Education with a minimum 3.0 grade point average. 

Dr. Bob Womack & Miss Helen Womack Education Leadership Endowed Scholarship 

Supports graduate students with this scholarship for those pursuing a degree in any program in the Department of Educational Leadership.  

Eleanor Frances Nelson Jordan Endowed Scholarship in Professional Counseling   

Supports future school counselors with this scholarship for students who are majoring in Professional Counseling and exhibit high academic performance. Preference will be afforded to students pursuing their degree in School Counseling.  

Keith Carlson Professional Counseling Endowed Scholarship  

Supports graduate students in the field of Professional Counseling who display academic excellence. Preference is afforded to students who show a commitment to the field of counseling and demonstrate competency through their performance in courses, written work, and interaction with other students, faculty, and professionals.  

Winkler-Slicker Professional Counseling Scholarship  

This scholarship supports students who have been admitted into the MTSU Professional Counseling Program and have experience in counseling, counseling-related activities, and leadership roles. Preference will be allotted to students who are not Graduate Assistants as to give assistance to a greater number of graduate students.  

Helen S. Potts Scholarship Fund  

Supports Elementary and Special education majors who are pursuing a graduate or undergraduate degree. Preference will be afforded to students from Williamson County.  

Sawyer-Rudler Endowed Research Fellowship in Literacy  

Fellowship aimed to helps reveal and unravel the barriers to literacy acquisition by providing funding research fellowships in an area of literacy studies. 

Alpha Delta Kappa Scholarship  

Supports graduate or undergraduate students admitted to the Teacher Education Program in the College of Education who display proven academic success.  

Andra Helton Scholarship  

Applicants must be a full-time student admitted to the Teacher Education Program in the College of Education and have a minimum grade point average of 3.5. 

Caukin Family Scholarship  

This scholarship provides aid to students admitted to the Teacher Education Program for on-campus tuition or for faculty led study abroad through the College of Education.  

Cherry Womack Scholarship  

This scholarship honors Cherry Womack for her 25 years as a public educator. Supports full time students who have been admitted to the Teacher Education Program in the College of Education.  

College of Education Scholarship 

Supports students within the College of Education who have been accepted into the Teacher Preparation Program.  

Dr. Connie J. Smith Scholarship  

Support students who have been admitted into the Teacher Education Program with this scholarship for those who display definite need. Preference will be given to first generation college students.  

Dr. Sam Ingram Scholarship  

This scholarship honors Dr. Ingram, distinguished educator and former MTSU President. The Dr. Sam Ingram Scholarship supports students who have been admitted into the teacher education program.  

Drs. David & Lorraine Singer Scholarship  

Supports underclassman future educators with this scholarship for those who display academic excellence and have been admitted into the Teacher Preparation program.   

May Saunders Endowed Scholarship

Supports students in financial need with this scholarship for those who have a desire to teach. Preference will be afforded to students who have included some musical training into their college work. 

Elaine and Richard Warwick Scholarship 

This scholarship is awarded to full-time students admitted to the Teacher Education Program in the college of Education who have grade point average between 2.75 and 3.30 on a 4.0 scale.  

James L. Gore Scholarship 

This scholarship exists in memory of James L. Gore to support full time students intending to pursue a professional career in education and display a definite financial need  

Gloria L. Bonner Endowed Scholarship  

This scholarship exists in honor of the former Dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Science, Gloria L. Bonner. It assists Junior and Senior College of Education students who show an involvement in their community as a volunteer and contribute to charitable activities. Preference will be afforded to first generation college students from Rutherford County 

La Comunidad Achievement Scholarship 

This scholarship honors and promotes the mission of La Comunidad. Your support assists members of the student organization “La Comunidad” with preference afforded to the sitting president, the member with the highest GPA, and the member with the most volunteer hours.  

Louise M. Bastedo Endowed Scholarship Fund in the College of Education  

Supports students pursuing a degree within the College of Education that display academic excellence with this scholarship. Preference is afforded to students who have been accepted into the teacher preparation program.  

Mary Calkin Scholarship  

This scholarship exists in honor of Mary K. Calkin for the purpose of providing scholarships to students who have been admitted into the Teacher Education Program, have a minimum grade point average of at least 2.75, and have earned at least 60 hours of academic credit by the time the scholarship is received. 

May Dean Eberling Education Scholarship  

This scholarship honors the life and professional contributes of 1961 and 1968 MTSU graduate, May Dean Eberling, a highly respected historic preservationist and Nashville Television producer. Supports undergraduate students pursuing a teacher licensure.  

Miss Mary Hall Scholarship  

This scholarship exists in honor of Miss Mary Hall, a professor and educator in Rutherford County. Supports students who are majoring in Education and aspire to teach.  

Owen-Pittard Scholarship  

Supports future teachers who have been accepted into the teacher education program and graduated from a high school within the state of Tennessee.  

Patsy Spencer Richardson Endowed Scholarship Fund   

This scholarship supports Juniors and Seniors within the College of Education who are residents of Tennessee.  

Pentecost Family Scholarship  

This scholarship supports students admitted to the Teacher Education Program and display financial need. Preference is afforded to students from Dickson County.  

Roberta Payne Scholarship  

Supports Junior or Senior College of Education students majoring in Education or Library Science and have proven academic success. Preference is afforded to students from Rutherford or Robertson Counties.  

Rodney Scott Butts Scholarship  

Supports full time College of Education residency students with this scholarship for those who have been admitted into the Teacher Education program.   

Thelma Sloan Scholarship   

Supports future professional educators pursing an undergraduate or graduate degree with this scholarship for students who need help in purchasing books, room and board, childcare, travel expenses, or other costs associated with attending MTSU.  

Wilbert Bond, Sr. Scholarship 

This scholarship exists in honor of Wilbert Bond, Sr., a Tennessee native and World War II Navy veteran, who was the first black graduate of MTSU in 1965 when he obtained a master’s degree in Education Administration and Supervision. Supports full-time students from underrepresented student populations who have been admitted to the Teacher Education Program in the College of Education. Preference will also be afforded to students from Rutherford County.  

Mary F. Betts Scholarship 

Supports students pursuing a professional career in education with this scholarship for undergraduate or graduate students in good academic standing and display definite financial need. Preference will be afforded to applicants from Stewart or Montgomery counties.  

Mary Tom Berry Scholarship Fund  

This scholarship supports future primary education or reading teachers who have definite financial need, demonstrate competence in oral and written language skills, and show a commitment to academic excellence.  

Rutherford County Retired Teachers Scholarship  

Support students aspiring to be teachers with the Rutherford County Retired Teacher Scholarship 

David and Kathi Baggott Scholarship  

Supports upperclassman in Math, Computer Science, Chemistry, Biology, and Physics majors who have determined financial need with this scholarship for students who have been admitted into the Teacher Education Program.  

Dr. Aaron W. Todd Scholarship for Future Science Teachers  

This scholarship supports future middle and high school science teachers who are pursuing a degree in biology, chemistry, geosciences, mathematics, or physics, who have been accepted into the Teacher Education Program at MTSU. 

D’Ann Bragg Schmitt Scholarship  

This scholarship honors the memory of D’Ann Bragg Schmitt—an MTSU graduate, an exceptional preschool teacher and vision therapist with a special interest in young children—who passed away at age 31 following a 5-year battle with rare Sarcoma cancer. Supports future Early Childhood educators who have been admitted into the Teacher Education Program and demonstrate and maintain proven academic success.

Rosalyn Ward Scholarship   

Supports future math teachers who have been admitted into the Teacher Education Program or any successor program. Preference will also be afforded to students from Wilson County, Tennessee.  

Seivers Family Endowed Scholarship  

In honor of the former dean Lana Seivers and the Seivers family, this scholarship assists students who have been admitted into the Teacher Education Program in the College of Education. Preference will be afforded to first generation college students majoring in Special Education, and second preference to first generation college students majoring in Early Childhood Education.  

Sylvia Snow Crowder Scholarship  

Supports students of good moral character who are majoring in elementary education, demonstrate financial need, and have proven academic success. Preference will be afforded first to students from Sumner County, Tennessee and secondly Rutherford County Students. 

Dr. and Mrs. Quill E. Cope Scholarship 

This scholarship honors the memory of Dr. Quill E. Cope by providing scholarships for students in Elementary or Secondary Education. Support incoming freshmen, transfer, or presently enrolled students with this scholarship.  

Dr. Delores M. Doyle Elementary Education Scholarship 

This scholarship supports Juniors and Seniors who are pursuing a degree in Elementary Education and display academic excellence. Preference will be given to dependents of K-8 teachers, if possible.  

Dr. James E. and Beverly R. Calder Endowed Scholarship  

This scholarship supports future Early Childhood, Elementary or Special Education teachers, who have been admitted into MTSU’s Teacher Education Program and graduated from an out-of-state high school.  

Harris Family Scholarship  

Supports Special Education majors with this scholarship for those admitted into the Teacher Education Program and display financial need.  

James L. and Josephine Hitt Scholarship  

Supports students who plan to pursue a career in teaching with this scholarship for those who are pursuing a minor in secondary education.  

Joe and Lori Warise Education Scholarship 

Supports future STEM teachers with this scholarship for students who have been admitted to the Teacher Education Program in the College of Education and display financial need. Preference will also be afforded to first generation college students or non-traditional students.  

Nin Lee Scholarship  

This scholarship honors Winnie H. (Nin) Lee, a dedicated and enthusiastic educator who taught in the Franklin, TN Special School district for 26 years. The Nin Lee Scholarship assists students who have been admitted into the Teacher Education Program in Elementary Education, Educational Leadership, or their successor departments.  

Secondary Education Scholarship  

Supports future middle and high school teachers with this scholarship for those accepted into the teacher education program minoring in Secondary Education.  

Bertie Jenkins Bostic Scholarship  

This scholarship memorializes the life and work of Bertie Jenkins Bostic, a dedicated educator focused on Special Education. The Bertie Jenkins Bostic Scholarship supports students who have been admitted into the Teacher Education Program with preference afforded to students majoring in Special Education.  

Betty Jo Hyde Welch Memorial Scholarship 

Applicant must be a Junior or Senior enrolled in a curriculum leading to teacher licensure in Middle Level Education and demonstrate service to the campus and community. 

Dr. Charles Worthy Babb Endowed Scholarship  

Applicant must be enrolled in a curriculum leading to licensure in Middle Level Education or Special Education. Preference will be given to a resident of Lenoir City, Tennessee. 

Elizabeth Clements Womack Scholarship  

This scholarship exists in honor of Elizabeth Clements Womack – a wife, a mother, an avid reader, and an active member of her community. Supports worthy Elementary Education majors in becoming outstanding teachers with this scholarship for students who display a definite financial need.  

Helen S. Potts Scholarship  

Supports Elementary and Special education majors who are pursuing a graduate or undergraduate degree. Preference will be afforded to students from Williamson County.  

Marge Boutwell Scholarship in Early Childhood Education  

This scholarship supports juniors in Early Childhood Education who display high academic achievement.  

Mary and Delmar Pockat Scholarship  

This scholarship is established in honor of Dr. Delmar B. Pockat, who served as the Dean of the School of Education at MTSU from 1969 to 1980. Support future public-school teachers in the Professional Education program at MTSU who have demonstrated a true love for children and pride and respect for the profession of teaching. Preference will be given to students majoring in science education.  

Mary Belle Robinson Endowed Scholarship  

This scholarship exists in honor of Mary Belle Robinson, a fifth-grade teacher for Murfreesboro City Schools for 42 years. Supports future elementary education teachers who display a strong academic excellence, have financial need, and have graduated from a public high school in the Tennessee counties of Rutherford, Marshall, Bedford, or Coffee.