Elementary Education
Undergraduate Student Scholarships

The scholarship is renewable at the discretion of the Elementary Education Scholarship Committee.

Criteria

  • students in elementary education who are enrolled in 12 credits or more
  • preferably a graduate of an accredited high school in the state of Indiana
  • funding to be used for tuition and fees

Criteria

  • full-time sophomore, junior, or senior
  • major in elementary education at Ball State
  • demonstrated financial need
  • minimum GPA of at least 3.0 overall
  • resident of Indiana at the time of the award

Criteria

  • Full-time Undergraduate Student
  • Elementary education major, with preference for kindergarten/primary education
  • Possess a passion to work with younger children
  • Minimum GPA 3.0 on 4.0 scale
  • Resident of Indiana

Criteria

  • junior
  • at least a 3.2 GPA overall on a 4.0 scale

Apply

The Departmental Honors Committee selects the students who receive the award.

Criteria

  • major in elementary education
  • from Daleville or Middletown, Indiana

This scholarship is renewable at the discretion of the scholarship selection committee.

Criteria

  • major in elementary education

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.

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

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

Criteria

  • major in elementary education
  • engaged in field experiences, such as student teaching, in their final year of studies
  • demonstrated financial need

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

Criteria

  • major in elementary education

Criteria

  • major in elementary education

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

Criteria

  • resident of Cass County, Indiana
  • major in elementary education

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.

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.

Criteria

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

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

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

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

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
Scholarships

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 $250.00

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

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.

Dr. Elizabeth Spencer was, for many years, chairperson of the Special Education Department and guided the establishment and early growth of departmental programs.

Award Amount

Two awards in the amount of $500 each.

Criteria

  • Exhibit outstanding academic achievement—3.5 GPA or higher
  • Be a full-time student both fall and spring semesters
  • Major in mild or severe disabilities
  • Have been admitted to the teaching curriculum
  • Must be eligible for financial aid 

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.

The Kathy Northington Deaf Education Memorial Fund Scholarship provides scholarship awards to deaf education majors.

Award Amount

Two awards in the amount of $500.00 each

Criteria

  • Recipient must be a deaf education major
  • Must have an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
  • Admitted to the Teacher Education Curriculum
  • Recipient must be eligible for financial aid

How to Apply

PDF Applications are available by request from Dr. Penny Craig via email at pcraig@bsu.edu. Please submit completed applications and required materials to spce@bsu.edu.

The DeVleeschower scholarship was established in 1993 by a bequest of Mary Jo DeVleeschower to assist special education students majoring in the deaf education program.

Award Amount

One award of $500.

Criteria

  • Achieve junior or senior status by fall semester.
  • Exhibit outstanding achievement as reflected by GPA.
  • Be a full-time student both fall and spring semesters.
  • Major in deaf education.

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.

This scholarship was created by David E. McIntosh Jr. and Constance E. McIntosh in honor of their families. The McIntosh family resides in Henry and Rush counties and the Ross family resides in Montgomery County. Both David and Constance came from working class families who valued education and social service.

Award Amount

One award in the amount of $250.00   

Criteria

  • Junior or senior special education major
  • Students with a grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Preference will be given to students from Henry, Rushville, and Montgomery counties

 *Preference will be given to first generation college students

  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.

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.

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

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.

The Shannon M. McDowell Memorial Scholarship was established by Steven Renard in memory of his wife, Shannon. Shannon taught special education at Warren Hills Regional High School and established the Warren Hills chapter of Best Buddies. Shannon passed away in 2017 from complications due to cancer. Shannon's love for her students and devotion to their development was an inspiration to her colleagues at Warren Hills, and her work there continues through her friends, peers, and students. Steven graduated from Ball State in 1995 with a degree in mathematics education. He has established this scholarship as a perpetual honor to his best friend and love of his life, Shannon, and to help students pursuing a degree in special education.

Award Amount

Two awards in the amount of $500 each.

Criteria

  • Pursuing a teaching degree in special education
  • Involved with Best Buddies or other mentoring program for special needs students
  • Exhibit outstanding achievement as reflected by GPA

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.

The purpose of the Fund is to provide scholarships to Ball State University students for financial support to offset the costs of graduate study for marginalized populations as a means of increasing diverse leadership in Special Education in schools, service agencies, government, and universities.

Award Amount

To Be Announced 

Criteria

  • Graduate student in masters or doctoral program studying special education
  • Applicants must represent a historically or currently marginalized population
  • Have a GPA of 3.25/4.00 or higher for undergraduates entering a graduate program in the Department of Special Education or 3.25/4.00 or higher for students currently enrolled in graduate studies
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.

Phyllis J. Moy-Agness (’68, ’75, ’80) retired after serving as a university teacher educator for thirty years. Prior to that, she had teaching experience in preschool, elementary, and special education classrooms. She had also worked in her private practice as an educational consultant for students with special needs. As a state, national, and international speaker and author, she has focused on training those professionals who provide services for students with special needs and students who are homeless. Dr. Agness’ husband, a Purdue University graduate and retired Army officer/helicopter pilot, shares her passion for education and for training teachers who have a zeal for making a difference. The Moy-Agness Scholarship was established to provide encouragement and financial support for Ball State special education graduate students who desire to change the world one student at a time.

Award Amount

One award in the amount of $1000.00  

Criteria

  • Graduate student studying special education
  • Minimum 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • Student is nearing completion of their degree program

*This award requires an application essay and a thank you note to the family  

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.

Terrance was loved and given a multitude of nicknames by everyone he met, the most prominent of these was MarJ. He was diagnosed as being on the Autism Spectrum at three years of age. He was an exceptional child with special needs and he was special to everyone he met. He was known for spreading energy, joy, and music into every environment that he walked. He was unashamedly bold in sharing and expressing his faith through music and stopping to pray for anyone he met. Whether it was school, home, or church he traveled with a set of drumsticks and homemade drums. He believed in music breaks on the regular and loved anyone who would join him in praise. Notably, MarJ benefited from ABA therapy and services which helped to improve his day to day activities with his family and friends. Because of the remarkable impact of ABA therapy and services, his family desires to continue support of services that help other families like his own with the hopes that his transition from life on May 30, 2016 will still have an impact on the lives of other families for years to come.

Award Amount

One award in the amount of $1000.00  

Criteria

  • Graduate student pursuing a degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy
  • Preference given to students with a diverse background
  • Demonstrates a financial need
  • Minimum GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale 

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.

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.

Microgrants are smaller monetary awards ($100 or less) to support students’ professional development activities and help to offset academic-related expenses. There are two microgrant options for majors within the department of Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies. Applications are accepted anytime during the fall and spring semesters.
**May take up to 2 weeks for your application to be reviewed/approved**

Sunshine Grant

Criteria:

  • Open to all ECYFS majors
  • Proven financial need

Homeplace Grant

Criteria:

  • Open to all ECYFS majors
  • Must identify as a member of an underrepresented group (e.g., person of color, LGBTQ+, first generation college student, person with disabilities)

Apply Now

Criteria:

  • Student majoring in Early Childhood Education and Kindergarten/primary education
  • Proven financial need
  • Possess a great desire to work with children
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0

Apply Now

Criteria:

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

Apply Now

Criteria:

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

Apply Now

Criteria:

  • Incoming freshman pursuing a major in Early Childhood Education

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

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 Scholarships

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.

Holmes Scholars are high-achieving students who are from traditionally under-represented backgrounds pursuing doctoral degrees in education. Scholars are selected based on their achievements and their commitment to equity and diversity.

Learn More

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 diversity, equity, and excellence in education.

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 no later than March 4, 2022 at 5:00 pm EST. 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.

Apply Now


The Indiana Commission for Higher Education offers scholarships for minority students planning to teach in an accredited school in Indiana upon graduation.

AWARD AMOUNT

Minority students demonstrating financial need may receive up to $4,000 annually. Students who do not show financial need are eligible for up to $1,000 annually.

CRITERIA

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE) offers the William A. Crawford Minority Teacher Scholarship to you if you:

  • are a minority student (defined as black or Hispanic)
  • are admitted to or already attend an eligible Indiana institution as a full-time student
  • intend to pursue or are pursuing a course of study that would enable you, upon graduation, to teach in an accredited school in Indiana
  • agree, in writing, to apply for a teaching position in an accredited school in Indiana after you are certified as a teacher and, if hired, to teach for at least three years
  • meet other criteria established by the CHE.

Minimum criteria to receive state financial aid, including the William A. Crawford Minority Teacher Scholarship, include that you:

  • be an Indiana resident and an eligible U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • complete and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • not be in default on a federal student loan or in over payment status on a federal student grant.

You must complete a FAFSA before you can complete the online scholarship application. It takes five to seven business days from filing for the FAFSA data to be available in the state's system. Therefore, the FAFSA must be filed in time for the student to meet the application deadline.

To renew the scholarship, a minority student who qualified for the initial award must maintain the cumulative grade point average (GPA) required for admission to the institution’s school of education or at least a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent if the school does not require a minimum GPA. Only first-time undergraduate students are eligible to receive the William A. Crawford Minority Teacher Scholarship.

HOW TO APPLY for the William A. Crawford Minority Teacher Scholarship

Apply Now

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

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