Jolene Schwind Office of Teacher Education Services

Reflective • Responsive • Resourceful

Preparing outstanding professionals who are reflective, responsive, and resourceful throughout their professional careers.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Inspired to Teach Scholarship and Employment Incentive - $25,500

• The “Inspired to Teach” is a program to support the teacher pipeline and the preparation of public-school teachers for prekindergarten through 12th grade, and to encourage the preparation of teachers in critical shortage areas in the public schools of Oklahoma.
• Cash Incentive Benefits
  • $1,000 per academic year for up to three academic years for full-time students who have earned less than 90 credit hours.
  • $2,500 for the final academic year for full-time students who have earned 90 or more credit hours.
  • $4,000 per year for up to five (5) years once employed in an Oklahoma Public School
• Eligibility
  
  • Meet higher education admission standards
  • Declare a major in a teacher education program with a degree leading to a standard teaching certificate
  • Be enrolled as a full-time (12 credit hours per semester) undergraduate student each semester of scholarship eligibility until degree is obtained
  • Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress and a minimum 2.5 GPA throughout matriculation
  • Agree to complete the Oklahoma teacher preparation education program
    AND agree to teach in an Oklahoma public prekindergarten through 12th grade school for a minimum of 5 consecutive years upon graduation and certification as a teacher
• See scholarship application for full details
• Applications can be accessed through the Teacher Education Services Office in the Education Building Room 207 or by contacting Dr. Jennifer Burris at jburris8@uco.edu

UCO Teacher Education Leadership Scholarship - $5,000

• This scholarship recognizes incoming students majoring in education who have demonstrated leadership and a commitment to becoming a teacher.
• Applications are awarded via Central's application through the Apply Now page.
• If selected for an interview, you will be contacted directly in February or March. Recipients of scholarship awards will be notified by letter or email. Students not receiving awards will not be notified.
• Contact Dr. Jennifer Burris at jburris8@uco.edu for more information

Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation Teacher Pipeline Programs

• The Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation Teacher Pipeline Programs provide financial and academic support for paraprofessionals already working in OKCPS to earn their teaching certification. Upon successful completion, the paraprofessionals become full-time teachers in OKCPS.
• Participants’ books, tuition, fees, and certification tests are completely covered.
• Eligibility:
  
  • Must be an OKCPS employee for a minimum of one year in a paraprofessional position.
  • Must dedicate three years back to OKCPS once you become certified.
• Contact Dr. Jennifer Burris at jburris8@uco.edu for more information

OKCPS High School Teacher Pipeline Programs

• The Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation High School Teacher Pipeline Programs provide financial and academic support for OKCPS high school graduates to earn their teaching certification. Upon successful completion, the participants become full-time teachers in OKCPS and dedicate three years back to OKCPS as a teacher.
• Participants’ books, tuition, fees, and certification tests are completely covered.
• OKCPS Foundation Scholar
  • Participants will attend UCO full-time debt-free
  • Eligibility:
    • Must be an OKCPS May 2024 graduate
    • 3.75 cumulative GPA
    • 20 ACT composite score
• OKCPS High School to Teacher Pipeline
  • Participants will work full-time as a paraprofessional in OKCPS while going to school part-time debt free
  • Eligibility
    • Must be an OKCPS May 2024 graduate
    • 2.75 cumulative GPA
    • Must be 18 years old by August 1, 2024
    • Must be hired as a paraprofessional in OKCPS by August 1, 2024

Teacher Shortage Employment Incentive Program (TSEIP)

• TSEIP was designed to recruit and retain mathematics and science teachers in Oklahoma.
• Successful candidates will be reimbursed eligible student loan expenses (a set amount, which may vary yearly) or an equivalent cash benefit.
• Students must fill out the Participation Agreement Form and submit it to their college or university TSEIP coordinator no later than the date of their graduation from a four-year college or university in Oklahoma (even if graduating in the fall). Applicants cannot be certified to teach math or science prior to signing the Participation Agreement Form.
• Contact Dr. Jennifer Burris at jburris8@uco.edu for more information 

Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG)

Oklahoma City Community Foundation Scholarships  

Teach.org Financial Aid and Scholarships

Teach2Reach Program for Native American Students

• Teach To Reach (T2R) is a grant-based program provided by the US Department of Education Office of Indian Education. T2R provides support and professional development to Native American individuals to complete a bachelor’s degree in education and meet all requirements for full state certifications or licensure as an Oklahoma teacher. Benefits include:
  • Funding for tuition, books, and fees
  • Monthly living stipend
  • Technology allowance
  • Mentor teacher support
  • Professional development and culture experiences
  • Assistance with job placement
  • Support for the first two years of employment
  • Funding for STEM-related materials upon completion of a capstone experience
  • Testing or exam fees
• Eligibility
  • Must be a member of a federally recognized tribe (Choctaw tribal member preference)
  • Must be accepted to a teacher education program or within one year of acceptance
  • Minimum accumulated GPA of 2.5
  • Letter of acceptance into education program from one of the partner universities
  • Copies of all college transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable)
  • Willing to work at a public school with a proportion of Native American students greater than the state average

 Test Certification Scholarships

• For students who demonstrate financial hardship, scholarships are available for students to take their OSAT ($118-$130) and PPAT ($300) teacher certification exams.
• Contact Dr. Jennifer Burris at jburris8@uco.edu for more information

 TEACH Grant

• Through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, Congress created the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program that provides grants disbursed after October 1, 2020 a maximum award amount of $3,772 per year to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families..
• To qualify for a TEACH Grant, you must:
  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov, although you do not have to demonstrate financial need.
  • Be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen.
  • Be enrolled as an undergraduate, or graduate student in a post-secondary educational institution that has chosen to participate in the TEACH Grant Program. Note: Post-Baccalaureate programs are not eligible.
  • Be enrolled in coursework that is necessary to begin a career in teaching or plan to complete such coursework. Such coursework may include subject area courses (e.g., math courses for a student who intends to be a math teacher).
  • Meet certain academic achievement requirements (generally, scoring above the 75th percentile on a college admissions test or maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25).
  • Sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve or Repay (Agreement).
• You may now apply for the TEACH Grant through the financial aid office. You must complete a TEACH Grant application every academic year that you wish to apply for the Grant.
• To complete TEACH counseling, go to Federal Student Aid TEACH Grant.
• NOTE: TEACH Grants award amounts will be pro-rated based on student enrollment at time of disbursement.
• If you would like to read more about this grant, you can visit the Federal Student Aid Teach Grant.

Scholarship Portal

• The University of Central Oklahoma Scholarship Portal matches undergraduate and graduate students to qualifying scholarships. 
• Incoming undergraduate and graduate students will be able to view their UCO scholarships after they have received their admission decision. 
• There are scholarship opportunities available based on grades, talent, personal stories, creativity and more.