The Curriculum, Resources and Education in Assistive Technology for Educators (CREATE) Scholarship Program is an $800,000 program funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The scholarship pays for tuition and fees for students to complete Northern Arizona University's two-year Master of Education in Special Education program with an emphasis in low-incidence/severe-profound disabilities, and become certified. A small stipend also is provided. To accommodate teachers already working in the classroom, CREATE course work can be taken online, on the weekends and during the summer. Scholarship recipients are required to teach students with low-incidence disabilities and those who need assistive technology for at least two years after completing the master's program.
Northern Arizona University
Institute for Human Development
P.O. Box 5630
Flagstaff AZ 86011
928-523-5878
nau.edu
In 1988, Indiana's government established the Minority Teacher Scholarship program. Today, the program provides scholarships of $4,000 for black or Hispanic students pursuing a teaching certificate, and $1,000 to nonminority students pursuing teaching certification in special education, as well as occupational or physical therapy certification. To apply, students must be Indiana residents and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident studying full time. Recipients must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or the minimum required by their institution's program, and students must re-apply each year.
State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana
W462 Indiana Government Center South
402 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-232-2350
in.gov/ssaci
In 2007, Congress passed the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, which created the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program. Students who agree to teach in high-need areas in public or private schools, including special education, can receive up to $4,000 per year to help pay for their studies. Recipients must be enrolled in a participating institution and score above the 75th percentile on college admission tests, or have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or above. Students who receive the grants also must sign a document agreeing to serve as a full-time teacher in a high-need field at a low-income school for at least four academic years within eight years of completing their studies. Teachers who do not fulfill their obligations under the agreement will have their grant converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan that must be repaid with interest. For more information about the grant, students should contact their college or university.