What are some teaching scholarships available for high school seniors?

I'm a high school junior considering a career in education, and I want to start preparing early. I've heard there are specific teaching scholarships for students who plan to major in education. Does anyone know about these scholarships or have recommendations on where to look? I'm particularly interested in scholarships that might also include commitments to teaching in certain areas or schools. Any insights on eligibility and the application process would also be incredibly helpful!

There are indeed several scholarship opportunities intended specifically for students who are planning to pursue a career in education. Here are a few notable ones:

1. TEACH Grants - The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 a year to students who are completing or planning to complete coursework needed to begin a career in teaching. To be eligible, you must agree to teach for a certain length of time in a high-need field, at an elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families.

2. The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship is for students who are majoring in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) field. Entrainment into the program involves agreeing to teach for two years in a high-needs school district for each year of scholarship funding you receive.

3. The Phi Delta Kappa International’s Prospective Educator Scholarships, sponsored by the PDK Educational Foundation, are designed for high school seniors or undergraduates who intend to major in education and have demonstrated leadership abilities. Each year, PDK awards more than 30 scholarships to prospective educators.

4. The Future Teachers Scholarship Program is available for students who wish to teach at a public elementary, secondary, middle or high school in Oklahoma and are residents of Oklahoma. The scholarship ranges from $500 to $1500 based on GPA, ACT or SAT scores, and the level of education sought.

5. The Rural Alaska Principal and Teacher Scholarship Loan Forgiveness Program provides financial aid to students from Alaska studying in a field of education to become a principal or teacher. Should recipients commit to teaching in a rural community in Alaska after graduation, they can be eligible for loan forgiveness.

For these scholarships, you usually fill out an application form, submit your transcripts, and sometimes write an essay detailing your commitment to a career in education. Make sure to follow the individual guidelines set by each organization. Also, deadlines vary, so keep an eye out for those!

Finally, it's worth mentioning you should also check with the financial aid office or career services at the college you wish to attend. They may have information about other local or campus-specific teaching scholarships.