Does Financial Aid Cover the Cost Of a Secondary Education Degree?

A secondary education degree prepares students to teach in high schools. Students learn how to plan and teach lessons, engage students, and more. A degree often provides a secondary major or certification; biology, English, math, and chemistry are just a few examples.

You'll need a secondary education degree to begin your high school teaching career. However, you might struggle to get started if you can't pay for your studies. Fortunately, financial aid options like grants, student loans, and work-study can cover the cost of a secondary education degree.

Below, we'll look at how to use the FAFSA form to qualify for different types of financial aid. We'll also look at scholarships, loans, grants, and other help available to cover the cost of your degree.

What Is the FAFSA Form?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form the federal government offers to help students qualify for federal financial aid. Schools, states, and private aid providers use this form to decide who is eligible for their programs.

Eligibility Requirements

The federal government requires students to meet basic eligibility criteria to pursue financial aid. They include the following:

• show financial need for federal student aid programs
• be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
• have a valid Social Security number
• be enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in a qualifying degree or certificate program
• maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school

Some federal aid programs have their own eligibility criteria. Contacting your school's financial aid office can help you learn how to qualify.

Does FAFSA Cover a Second Degree?

Earning a second degree means the student has already earned an undergraduate degree from a school of higher education and wants to start another degree program. You can still fill out the FAFSA form to get help paying for a second degree.

Second-degree students may qualify for federal loans and work-study programs; however, they don't qualify for the Federal Pell Grant or other grant programs.

What Disqualifies You From FAFSA?

While many students are eligible to apply for FAFSA student aid, it's possible to be disqualified from the process. Here are some reasons you might not be able to apply or could lose your eligibility:

• eligible non-citizen status expired or revoked
• defaulted on student loan
• have not maintained satisfactory academic progress
• incarcerated and not enrolled in a prison education program
• accidentally received more federal student loans or grant funds than allowed
• no high school diploma or equivalent (i.e., GED)

You might still qualify for assistance if you've lost eligibility or were disqualified before receiving aid. Speaking with a representative at your financial aid office can help you learn how to gain or regain eligibility.

Understanding FAFSA packages and how to qualify is important when seeking need-based financial help. Next, we'll review some financial aid options to help you pay for a secondary education degree.

Financial Aid Options for Secondary Education Degrees

Many financial aid programs can help you cover the cost of earning a bachelor's degree or completing a graduate program for secondary education. Here are some top scholarships, fellowships, grants, and other programs for education majors.

1. Explore Secondary Education Degree Scholarships

A scholarship is a financial gift for college that doesn't have to be repaid. Nonprofits, private businesses, schools, states, and other entities offer these awards to students based on merit, talent, and financial need.

Maxine S. Loudon Scholarship

The Maxine S. Loudon Scholarship provides a one-time grant for college to a senior graduating from Clarinda High School in Iowa. Students must have a minimum 3.5 GPA and plan to earn a degree in secondary education with a humanities emphasis (e.g., history, law politics, art, etc.).

Edward T. Yezioro Memorial Scholarship

The Community Foundation of Fayette County in PA offers the Edward T. Yezioro Memorial Scholarship. This award is granted to a senior from Uniontown Area High School. They must plan to major in education or secondary education.

John and Agnes McFarlane Scholarship Fund

The John and Agnes McFarlane Scholarship provides funds to a Ventura County high school graduate who also lives in this county. Students must major in a degree focused on public service like education or journalism. Community college students receive $2,500, while four-year college students receive $5,000.

2. Look for Secondary Education Degree Fellowships

A fellowship offers funds to help individuals meet school, career, or personal goals. Students could receive this free money from nonprofits, schools, and other entities. Education fellowships include the following.

James Madison Graduate Fellowships

The James Madison Graduate Fellowship Foundation awards $24,000 to students who want to become American Constitution teachers in secondary schools. One student per state, per year receives this award. Students only compete against other students in their state.

K-12 Teacher Education Fellowship Program

Merrimack College in MA offers the K-12 Teacher Education Fellowship. Awardees work in a school district for a full school year. They take summer courses and evening courses while working. Awardees graduate in one year tuition-free. They also earn a Master of Education in Teacher Education with licensure.

The Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowships

The Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowships give students a stipend to finish a master's degree program. In return, students commit to teaching for three years in secondary urban or rural schools in high need.

3. Discover Secondary Education Grants

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) revealed that 32% of undergraduate students received a Pell Grant in the 2021-2022 academic year. This means about one-third of undergrads used this grant to help pay for school. But it's not the only one.

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a grant administered by participating schools' financial aid offices. Eligible students can receive between $100 and $4,000 annually. To qualify, students must complete the FAFSA.

TEACH Grants

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant provides up to $4,000 per year to students who are finishing or plan to finish coursework needed to start a career in teaching. Students must agree to complete a teaching service obligation. If this is not completed, the TEACH Grant will be turned into a loan that requires repayment.

4. Consider Student Loans

Student loans provide college students with borrowed funds that must be repaid. Federal student loans include the following:

• Direct Subsidized Loan: up to $5,500 for undergraduates and graduates with financial need
• Direct Unsubsidized Loan: up to $20,500 for eligible undergraduate, graduate, and professional students
• Direct PLUS Loans: up to the cost of attendance for graduate students, professional students, and parents borrowing for undergraduates

Students can also borrow private loans. These loans are typically available from banks, credit unions, and private lenders.

5. Complete a Federal Work-Study Program

The Federal Work-Study Program offers undergraduate and graduate students with financial need part-time jobs to help pay for education expenses. Students can work on or off campus. They typically earn the federal minimum wage or more.