The University of Wisconsin-Superior (UW-Superior) offers a number of scholarships for educators looking to advance their knowledge, skills and career opportunities with a graduate degree. In combination with external scholarships, grants and loans, UW-Superior Foundation scholarships can make earning a graduate degree in education quite affordable.
UW-Superior’s online Master of Science in Education (MSE) and Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree programs are especially well suited for working professionals. Plus, federal programs offer eligible educators substantial financial assistance for continuing education.
To make the best use of the supports available, it is important to research the many resources that can help students afford a graduate degree in education.
How Do I Find Scholarships?
The UW-Superior Foundation makes searching for scholarships very convenient with a simple, streamlined application process. Accepted and admitted students submit a scholarship application essay or video within the required time frame. Scholarships are awarded according to eligibility criteria, financial need, academic merit and the quality of a student’s application.
Similarly, students may complete an application to be considered for awards based on donor-specific criteria for each scholarship. Certain scholarships with specific criteria may require a secondary application for consideration.
Here are three examples of the numerous scholarships UW-Superior graduate students in education may be eligible for:
- Fred N. Johnston Scholarship: A $1,000 award for graduate students in the Educational Administration program
- Burdge Family Scholarship: A $1,500 award for graduate students in the MSE – Special Education program
- Robert D. Krey Research Award: A $450 award for an exceptional research thesis or scholarly work completed by Educational Administration graduate students
What About External Scholarships?
UW-Superior also helps direct students to several external scholarship opportunities. The Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, for example, offers more than 60 scholarships to area students based on various criteria. Other external scholarships may be found on the UW-Superior Financial Aid Outside Scholarships page.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid office also offers numerous resources to help students find scholarships, as does the U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop scholarship database. Local education agencies and foundations may offer students financial assistance of many forms as well.
What About Grants?
Notably, students in certain education programs such as UW-Superior’s MSE in Special Education may be eligible for a TEACH Grant. This federal program awards up to $4,000 per year contingent upon eligibility criteria and work requirements.
Should I Take Out Student Loans?
Students file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to start the process. This evaluates the level of need — a determining factor in the financial aid package a school will offer — as well as the student’s eligibility for need-based scholarships and different kinds of federal grants and loans.
Taking out a student loan can be a stressful step. But federal direct student loans offer low interest rates and are heavily regulated, meaning students can avoid potential pitfalls in the fine print of many private loans.
Graduate students can only take out unsubsidized federal loans, meaning interest may not be deferred while in school. But graduate students may be eligible to take out up to $20,500 per year in direct unsubsidized federal loans, a substantial amount in augmenting scholarships and grants.
Plus, recent stimulus bills have allowed many people to defer federal student loan payments and interest for a period during the pandemic. Future stimulus bills may extend the policy as the pandemic continues.
Politicians have also called for student debt relief. In addition, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program and the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program offer eligible educators and public servants substantial debt relief after a required period of service and loan repayment.
As a final note, choosing the right program for you is an important factor in figuring out how to pay for school. The affordable cost of UW-Superior’s MSE and Ed.S. programs makes them practical options for graduate education. Plus, the fully online design allows students to continue working and advancing their careers while in school.
The accelerated completion times for UW-Superior online degree programs mean the potential return on investment (ROI) is quick, considering a student’s career promotions and raises. For reference on earning potential, the National Center for Education Statistics reports teachers for the 2017-18 school year with a master’s degree made, on average, $13,230 more per year than teachers with bachelor’s degrees.
Furthermore, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that principals made a median annual salary of $96,400 in 2019, noting that prospective principals are typically required to hold a “master’s degree in education leadership or education administration.” Clearly, the ROI for earning an MSE can be substantial.
Considering UW-Superior’s scholarship opportunities, affordable tuition, external funding sources and student loans, earning a graduate degree in education may require no more than a modest financial investment.
Learn more about UW-Superior’s online Master of Science in Education (MSE) and Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree programs.
Sources:
Duluth Superior Area: Community Foundation: Our Scholarships
CareerOneStop: Scholarship Finder
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals
National Center for Education Statistics: Table 211.20
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
