Scholarships for Teachers College Students

The award shall be renewed for each succeeding undergraduate year so long as the recipient maintains the minimum GPA necessary to remain enrolled at Ball State, with maximum renewal period equal to four academic years or eight semesters

Criteria

graduate from Franklin County High School or its successor high school
show interest in pursuing an elementary education degree at Ball State
demonstrate best potential as a future elementary teacher

Evidence of financial need is not necessary and shall not be considered.

If there is a year in which there are no qualified recipients, the interest shall be accumulated for future years.

Helen Gant Elmore Elementary Education Scholarship

Criteria

Undergraduate or graduate students pursing a degree in elementary education
GPA 3.0 or higher on 4.0 scale
Demonstrates financial need
Madison County, Indiana residents

Helen Green Scholarship

Criteria

full-time student enrolled at Ball State
either completing junior status in their undergraduate studies and majoring in one of the certification programs offered by the Department of Elementary Education OR
enrolled in a graduate program in elementary education, early childhood education, or reading
demonstrated dedication and enthusiasm to enriching children's lives through reading and children's literature by: enrollment in reading, language arts, and children's literature courses; interest in
completion of an endorsement in reading; dedicated efforts through volunteer involvement, class work, or faculty recommendation
of high moral character
minimum GPA of 3.3 in major

Margaret Griner Hoffmann Scholarship

This scholarship is renewable at the discretion of the Department of Elementary Education providing the student meets the stated criteria.

Criteria

undergraduate or graduate student (undergraduate recipient(s) can be a freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, or transfer student)
major in elementary education
preferably have demonstrated financial need, but both merit and need shall be factors used to select a recipient

Mark and Bettie Murfin Scholarship

Criteria

major in elementary education

Nellie B. Gantz Scholarship

Criteria

major in elementary education

R. Ann Williams Scholarship for Single Parents

The scholarship can be renewed provided the recipient continues to meet the stated criteria and demonstrates a financial need.

Criteria

single parent who has legal and financial responsibility for a child under the age of 18
full or part-time student pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in the Department of Elementary Education

Rita Jeanne Bell Scholarship

Criteria

resident of Cass County, Indiana
major in elementary education

Scott R. Popplewell International Scholarship

Criteria

major in elementary education
preferably enrolled in the EDEL-O England International experience
minimum 3.3 GPA on a 4.0 scale
financial need may be considered
demonstrated interest in personal and professional growth through international experiences

Recipient(s) should give a written report on their experience to the Department of Elementary Education upon completion of the experience.

The Second Effort Scholarship

Criteria

completed at least 45 credits, but not more than 95
demonstrate outstanding improvement of cumulative GPA since matriculation
earned a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Virginia M. Gray Scholarship

Criteria

committed to the field of elementary education
demonstrate intellectual ability, academic achievement, and high personal standards

William Jennings Casey Transition to Teaching Scholarship

Two scholarships shall be awarded each year, one student for the fall semester and a different student for the spring semester.

Criteria

demonstrate financial need
major in elementary education

Note: This scholarship is also available for graduate students.

Graduate Student Scholarships

Helen Gant Elmore Elementary Education Scholarship

Criteria

Undergraduate or graduate students pursing a degree in elementary education
GPA 3.0 or higher on 4.0 scale
Demonstrates financial need
Madison County, Indiana residents

Helen Green Scholarship

Criteria

full-time student enrolled at Ball State
either completing junior status in their undergraduate studies and majoring in one of the certification programs offered by the Department of Elementary Education OR
enrolled in a graduate program in elementary education, early childhood education, or reading
demonstrated dedication and enthusiasm to enriching children's lives through reading and children's literature by: enrollment in reading, language arts, and children's literature courses; interest in
completion of an endorsement in reading; dedicated efforts through volunteer involvement, class work, or faculty recommendation
of high moral character
minimum GPA of 3.3 in major

Margaret Griner Hoffmann Scholarship

This scholarship is renewable at the discretion of the Department of Elementary Education providing the student meets the stated criteria.

Criteria

undergraduate or graduate student (undergraduate recipient(s) can be a freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, or transfer student)
major in elementary education
preferably have demonstrated financial need, but both merit and need shall be factors used to select a recipient

Special Education

Scholarships

David M. Meeks Memorial Scholarship

The David Meeks Memorial Scholarship was established in June 1993 by the family and friends of David M. Meeks. Realizing that attending college is expensive and can present a financial hardship to students and their family, this scholarship is designated to support incoming freshmen with a $1,000 scholarship freshman year, split between fall and spring semesters with the opportunity to renew for 3 additional years at $500 per year, split between semesters.

Award Amount

One award in the amount of $500.00

Criteria

Must have fewer than 31 credit hours the semester of application
Declared major in Early Childhood Special Education, Mild disabilities, or Deaf Education (preferred)
Exhibit outstanding achievement as reflected by a high school GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
Involved in some form of service to the community or participating in activities involving individuals with exceptional needs
Be a full time student both fall and spring semesters
Express financial need
Completed the FASFA

*This award requires an application essay and specific steps for renewal

How to Apply

All applications for incoming freshman are due July 7 each year. PDF Applications are available in spring semester by request directed to Dr. Penny Craig via email at pcraig@bsu.edu. Please submit completed applications and required materials to 00arplassman@bsu.edu.

Next One Up!

Terri Reed graduated from Ball State University in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in Special Education. In 1989, she earned a master’s degree in Special Education from Ball State. She has spent 30 years in public education as a teacher of special needs students. One half of these years were in elementary schools and the other half in a middle school. She has a passion for being a voice for students who don’t feel they have one. In her retirement, the purpose of the scholarship she set up is to recognize and award a student who is “the next one up”. Someone who will carry on and be an advocate and educator of students with special needs.

Award Amount

Two awards in the amount of $1000 each.

Criteria

Undergraduate Special Education major with a minimum 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
Completed 40 credit hours in Special Education course work.
Preference given to a student who has documented experience volunteering/working alongside people with special needs outside the BSU course work experience.

How to Apply

PDF Applications are available in spring semester by request directed to Dr. Penny Craig via email at pcraig@bsu.edu. Please submit completed applications and required materials to 00arplassman@bsu.edu.

Reach Out to the Handicapped Scholarship

The Reach Out to the Handicapped of Indiana organization was established in 1985 to provide experiences that are not normally available to handicapped persons and to give people with handicaps a sense of wellbeing.

Award Amount

Two awards in the amount of $750 each.

Criteria

Be a resident of Indiana —preference to residents of Hancock County
Achieved overall 2.5 GPA
Major in any special education area and demonstrate the potential to be an excellent teacher
Demonstrate volunteer and/or work experiences with persons with special needs, through work experiences, and volunteering or through SCEC leadership.
Be a full-time student both fall and spring semesters OR
Be a part-time student working full time with persons with disabilities

How to Apply

Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies

The Department of Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies has multiple scholarship opportunities at the undergraduate and graduate level. It also offers graduate assistantships. Applications for scholarships are due by March 1st. Graduate assistantship applications should be made by May 1st to be competitive.

Undergraduate Scholarships

The department has several undergraduate scholarships available for incoming and continuing students. Below are listed the scholarships that are typically available. Those listed toward the top tend to have higher amounts. Each scholarship has unique qualification criteria, and a unique application that needs to be filled out. You may apply to more than one scholarship.

ECYFS Microgrants

Microgrants are smaller monetary awards that function similar to a scholarship.

The ECYFS Microgrant Program was established to support students’ professional training and offset academic-related expenses. Any major within the department of Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies may apply. Applications are accepted anytime during the fall and spring semesters. Microgrants are $100 each; students can receive only one microgrant per semester.
**May take up to 2 weeks for your application to be reviewed/approved**

Criteria:

Open to all ECYFS majors

Apply Now

Barbara L Wind Childhood Scholarship

Criteria:

Majoring in Family and Child or Early Childhood Education
Proven financial need

Apply Now

Jane E Ulrich Memorial Scholarship

Criteria:

Upper level students majoring in Family and Child or Early Childhood Education
Minimum GPA of 3.0
Proven financial need

Apply Now

Graduate Scholarship

The Scholarship for Advancing Excellence in Early Childhood Education

Criteria:

Graduate students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Education with a focus on Early Childhood Education program, with a minimum of 24 credit hours completed;
Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0; and
First preference given to students graduating by May 2021.

APPLY NOW

Graduate Assistantships

Do you need help paying for your graduate work in early childhood? Are you interested in working closely with faculty while gaining hands-on experience in your field? Our department is committed to providing practical opportunities for both professional and personal growth through our graduate assistantships. Students from any department are welcome to apply for an assistantship.

Responsibilities and Expectations

Work with faculty members 20 hours per week (fall and spring semesters).
Duties depend on specific departmental needs and may include research, teaching, laboratory management, and other specialized duties.

Compensation

Tuition waiver in accordance with university policies (applies to fall, spring, and summer)
Stipend based on departmental budget allocation

How to Apply

You must be officially admitted to a graduate degree program in the university and be registered for at least 6 hours of graduate work a semester to be eligible for an assistantship.

Complete the online application form.

Apply Now

Non-Departmental

Non-Departmental Scholarships

Dr Charles R Payne Scholarship

General Eligibility Requirements:

Students pursuing a college curriculum directed toward an associate, bachelor’s, masters, doctoral degree, or graduate certificate at Ball State University. Preference will be given to students whose future aspirations reflect Dr. Charles R. Payne’s legacy.

Applications will be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee based on the following criteria:

25% - Scholarship (GPA)
25% - Community Service and/or Other Forms of Civic Engagement
25% - Essay/Creative Project (Content and Clarity of Ideas)
25% - Letters of Recommendation (2 required)

How to Apply:

Complete the appropriate sections of the application, attach any supporting documents (essay or creative project, two letters of recommendation, and any additional information to support your application). Applications and supporting documents must be received by the Scholarship Committee on or before Monday, September 29, 2025 at 11:59 pm EST. Applications will not be considered unless accompanied by required documents and two letters of recommendation.

For additional information, contact the Scholarship Chairperson, Dr. David Bwambok at david.bwambok@bsu.edu.

Apply Now

Holmes Scholars

The Ball State University Teachers College is proud to be a part of the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (AACTE) Holmes Scholar Program. This program is for students demonstrating financial need from any department in Teachers College.

Learn More

Michelle A and James T Ryan Family Scholarship

The Michelle A. and James T. Ryan Family Scholarship covers all costs — including tuition, fees, and room and board — for “Ryan Scholars” over the next seven years.

Criteria:

Demonstrate high financial need.
Desire to become a teacher and declare an education/secondary education major.

Recipients will also express a commitment to addressing economic barriers that often impede meaningful educational opportunity for all students.

To be invited to apply:

Be admitted to Ball State University.
Fill out the FAFSA.

If you have been invited to apply for a Ryan Family Scholarship, please complete the scholarship application. If you are selected as a finalist upon review, you will receive an invitation for an interview.

Learn more about the Ryan Family Scholars and Navigator Program.

William and Evelyn Stokes Art and Mathematics Educators Scholarship

The William & Evelyn Stokes Art or Mathematics Educators Scholarship may cover costs including tuition, books, technology expenses, course fees, and housing at the discretion of Teachers College, based on criteria established by the Stokes Family.

Applicants must:

be pursuing one of the following:
- a teacher certification in art education
- a teacher certification in mathematics education
- a degree in elementary education with a mathematics concentration
demonstrate financial need
be admitted to Ball State University
demonstrate financial need by completing the FAFSA
have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
graduate from an accredited high school in the state of Indiana

Questions? Contact Susan Tancock.

Apply Now

Paying for Your Education

Tuition and Fees

Financial Aid

Teachers College

Teachers College (TC), Room 1005
Ball State University
Muncie, IN 47306-0625

Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

765-285-5251

765-285-5455