Does Financial Aid Cover the Cost of an Elementary Education Degree?

Students interested in teaching grades 1-6 commonly earn a bachelor's degree in elementary education; however, some states require a master's degree after securing a teaching role. Elementary education degree programs teach core educational methods and often help students secure teaching licensure in the state.

Are you eager to earn your elementary education degree but need help paying for your program? Financial aid like federal grants, student loans, and work-study can help cover tuition and other school costs associated with your elementary education degree.

Below, we'll discuss FAFSA and how aspiring elementary school teachers can qualify for federal student aid. We'll also review financial aid options for elementary education degrees.

What Is the FAFSA Form?

FAFSA is short for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This application helps students gain eligibility for financial aid options like federal grants, work-study jobs, and student loans. FAFSA also helps students qualify for state-based aid programs and some institutional aid opportunities.

Eligibility Requirements

Before starting your FAFSA application, ensure you meet basic eligibility criteria. They include:

• being a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
• demonstrating financial need
• qualifying to obtain a college education (with a high school diploma or GED)
• having a valid Social Security number
• being enrolled or accepted in an eligible degree or certificate program
• maintaining satisfactory academic progress

Is FAFSA an Educational Scholarship?

FAFSA isn't an educational scholarship � it's an application for financial aid from the federal government. Students can, however, fill out this form to qualify for educational teaching scholarships from schools, states, and other financial aid providers.

Does Financial Aid Cover Graduate School?

Graduate and professional students pursuing advanced degrees (master's or doctorate degrees) beyond the bachelor's degree can qualify for financial aid programs. Types of financial aid include:

• Direct Unsubsidized Loans
• Direct PLUS Loans
• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program
• Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant

Grad students can access many aid options through FAFSA. Next, we'll explore financial aid options for undergraduate and graduate elementary education students.

Financial Aid Options for Elementary Education Degrees

Applying for financial aid is a great way to cover elementary education degree costs. Filling out the FAFSA form could grant access to scholarships, grants, student loans, and more.

1. Elementary Education Degree Scholarships

A scholarship is a financial gift granted based on criteria that include merit, talent, and financial need. It is free money that doesn't require repayment. Here are a few elementary education degree scholarships to consider.

Dr. Peter David Rogalsky Scholarship Fund

The Dr. Peter David Rogalsky and Virginia Rogalsky Scholarship Fund offers $750 to qualifying students with financial needs who plan to enter the teaching profession. Students must be Ventura County residents and graduates of any high school in Ventura County.

They must also be enrolled in or plan to enroll in an undergraduate teaching degree program at a public four-year college or university in California. Preference is given to elementary education majors.

Clifford and Louise King Scholarship

The Clifford and Louise King Scholarship is granted to a graduating senior at Sherrard Jr./Senior High School who plans to become an elementary or secondary-level teacher. Applicants must also plan to enroll in an accredited institution of higher education.

The awardee will receive up to $2,000 annually for up to four years or until graduation. They must maintain no less than a 2.5 GPA and meet other scholarship criteria for renewal.

Rose Koury Scholarship

The Rose Koury Scholarship helps two Northern Virginia high school seniors pay for their early childhood or elementary education studies. Scholarship recipients receive $5,000 per year for a total of $20,000.

Applicants must become full-time undergraduates at an accredited college or university. Academic achievement, financial need, dedication to the education field, and community service are criteria the selection committee uses to choose the winners.

2. Elementary Education Degree Fellowships

Fellowships offer students financial assistance to support their professional, personal, or academic pursuits. Some examples of education fellowships include the following.

Teach for America's Ignite Fellowship

Teach for America offers the virtual, paid, part-time tutoring Ignite Fellowship. Ignite fellows work three to five hours weekly over 14 weeks leading small-group virtual learning.

They also receive a pre-tax, lump sum payment of up to $1,200 at the end of their fellowship term. Eligibility is granted to current undergraduate students, graduate students, Teaching for America alums, and renewing fellows. Applicants must meet GPA and age requirements to qualify.

Scholastic Teacher Fellows

The Scholastic Teacher Fellows opportunity was created for current classroom teachers working in grades K-8 in U.S. public, charter, or private schools. Twelve fellows are chosen to collaborate four to six hours per month to improve the effectiveness of learning materials. Awardees receive a $2,000 stipend and at least $500 of Scholastic products.

School Ambassador Fellowships

The School Ambassador Fellowships allow educators and others to help develop and implement national education policy. Fellowship awardees can take on one of two tracks.

• The Full-time Fellowship brings teachers, administrators, and other school staff to the US Department of Education headquarters in Washington, DC. to work 40 hours per week over six to 10 months.
• The Part-time Fellowship lets educators work with the department remotely for about six months at 10 hours per week, while still maintaining school duties at home.

Fellows contribute classroom and school knowledge and learn department initiatives. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and current educators with five or more years of experience.

3. Early Childhood Education Grants

Students can access several federal grants to pay for their education studies. The Federal Pell Grant is a need-based grant offering up to $7,395 annually to low-income undergraduate students.

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) offers undergraduate students with exceptional financial need between $100 and $4,000 a year. It is administered through schools' financial aid offices. However, these grant funds aren't specific to early or elementary education students.

TEACH Grants

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant awards students up to $4,000; however, they must agree to complete a teaching service obligation to receive the funds. The obligation includes:

• teaching full-time for four years in an elementary or secondary school that services low-income students
• educating in a high-need field (i.e., bilingual education or special education)
• completing four years of teaching within eight years of graduating

If these obligations are not met, the TEACH grant converts into a loan that must be repaid with interest. Students must fill out the FAFSA and meet other criteria to qualify.

4. Student Loans

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) revealed that over one-third (38%) of first-time, full-time degree/certificate-seeking undergrads received loan aid in the 2020-2021 academic year. Student loans might help you pay for your elementary education studies, as well.

For example, Direct Subsidized Loans are available to eligible undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need; they offer up to $5,500 depending on grade level and dependency status. Direct Unsubsidized Loans offer up to $20,500 to eligible undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.

Graduate students and parents of undergraduates can take out Direct PLUS Loans up to the cost of attendance. Students can also apply for private student loans with banks and credit unions. However, keep in mind that both federal and private loans require repayment with interest.

5. Work-Study Programs

The Federal Work-Study Program allows undergraduate and graduate students with financial need to work part-time. The funds earned can be used to help pay education expenses. Students can work on campus for the school or off campus for a nonprofit or public agency. The amount students earn typically starts at the federal minimum wage.