Elementary Teaching Scholarships

Students that are eligible for the DutchCrafters Amish Furniture Scholarship must meet the subsequent conditions below. 1) Enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time student at an accredited 4-year undergraduate institution located in the United States of America. 2) Be a U.S. citizen or maintain legal residency within the United States. 3) Have achieved a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. 4) Must have applied for federal financial aid (FAFSA). 5) Excluded from consideration are employees and relatives of employees of JMX Brands, the company that owns DutchCrafters. Criteria: Students from all disciplines and fields of study are invited to apply. Scholarship recipients are selected based on the following factors: 1) Academic achievement and financial need 2) GPA of 3.0 or higher 3) The essay component of the application Scholarship recipients will be selected by the scholarship committee appointed by JMX Brands, which includes JMX Brands employees and appointed volunteers based on the criteria stated above. All scholarship recipients may be subject to a criminal background check. Recipients of a DutchCrafters Amish Furniture Heritage Scholarship shall not commit any act that indicates dishonesty or moral turpitude or that otherwise could materially injure the DutchCrafters reputation. If such an act is committed by a DutchCrafters Amish Furniture Heritage Scholarship recipient, the award shall immediately be revoked. In no instance will any Director or Officer of JMX Brands play a part in the selection. All applicants agree to accept the decision as final.

SELECTION CRITERIA: • Student Grade Point Average • Work experience with people with disabilities (paid and/or volunteer) • Resume • “Statement of Commitment” to working with students with disabilities WHO SHOULD APPLY: • Undergraduate and graduate students from the University of Maine system who are matriculating toward a degree in teaching Special Education, preferably in the area of Severe Disabilities, but anyone pursuing a degree in Special Education will be considered. Preference may be given to applicants following a non-traditional path to the profession. APPLICATIONS: Applications must include one (1) copy of each of the following: • A profile of the applicant’s background (100-150 words) which can serve as the basis of a press release • Up-to-date copies of transcripts • A completed resume • A written “Statement of Commitment” to working with students with disabilities • A cover letter that states how this scholarship will assist the student in completing studies in teaching Special Education

This scholarship is intended to encourage graduating JROTC Cadets to attend a post-high educational institution and give back to their community and nation by pursuing a career in public service in such professions as the military, law enforcement, firefighting, teaching, nursing, etc.  Minimum GPA 2.0  Be a graduating high school senior and Cadet in Junior Reserve Officer Training (JROTC) program from Farrington High School, Nänäkuli High School, or Kapolei High School  Half-time enrollment allowed  Successfully completed minimum one year JROTC program and held a leadership position  Demonstrate high moral character and exemplify the Army Values of: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage  Letter of recommendation signed by your respective schools Senior Army Instructor (SAI)

 Pursuing a career in the education field  Half-time enrollment allowed  Submit two letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, employers, coaches or other citing examples of how applicant has already worked in and will continue to work with the Hawaiian community  Submit essay on applicant’s commitment to education and how you would use scholarship funds for educational costs General criteria: • Must be a classified undergraduate student • Enrolled in a degree-seeking program, unless specifically noted • Enrolled in a two- or four-year, accredited* college institution in Hawai`i or the continental U.S. • Demonstrate interest in Hawaiian language, culture, history • Demonstrate a commitment to contribute to the greater community. *See website for accrediting bodies that are recognized by the Foundation. Applications are open to the general public. However, it is the policy of the Pauahi Foundation to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.

The Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant Program was established by the Legislature for the purpose of providing financial assistance to Massachusetts residents who are currently employed as paraprofessionals in Massachusetts public schools, but wish to become certified as full time teachers. This grant is designed to help reduce financial barriers that often become obstacles for many paraprofessionals in attaining higher education. The program is also an attempt to help address the Commonwealth's current teacher shortage. Financial need is not a requirement for the Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant. However, recipients must annually file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Who Is Eligible? To be eligible for a Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant, a student must: Be a permanent legal resident of Massachusetts. Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen. Be eligible under Title IV Regulations and not in default of a state or federal education loan or grant. Enroll in an undergraduate degree program (full-time or part-time) leading to teacher certification in a Massachusetts Public College. Be employed, for a minimum of two years, as a paraprofessional in a Massachusetts public school. If employed less than two years as a paraprofessional, a student may qualify for the grant only if the undergraduate course of study will lead to teacher certification in high need disciplines: Math, Science, Special Education, Foreign Languages, or Bilingual Education. Has not earned a bachelor's degree. Eligible Institutions For the purposes of the Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant, an eligible institution is defined as a regionally accredited public or private, college or university in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that offers a teacher preparation program leading to licensure, approved by the Massachusetts Department of Education (MDOE); or a two-year public college that has a signed articulation or joint admissions agreement with such an institution for a teacher preparation program. Award Amounts The grant award under this program will vary, depending on the type of institution and the students' enrollment status (full-time or part-time).

The Career Advancement Program Tuition Waiver is designed to reward Massachusetts's public school teachers in their first three years of teaching who have passed all three components of the Massachusetts Teachers Test. It is further believed that the Career Advancement Program Tuition Waiver helps to increase the retention of new teachers during the first three years when attrition is highest; by rewarding teachers with career advancement opportunities. Eligible public school teachers receive up to three tuition-free state-supported graduate courses, one for each of their first three years of teaching. The value of the tuition waivers is approximately $300 per course. Who Is Eligible? To be eligible for a Career Advancement Tuition Waiver, a student must: Have passed all three components of the Massachusetts Teachers Test. Be a public school teacher in the year he/she using the award. Be a permanent legal resident of Massachusetts. Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen. Not be in default of a Federal or state loan or owe a refund on any previously received financial aid. File a current year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Eligible Institutions The nine Massachusetts State Colleges and the four campuses of the University of Massachusetts. Award Amounts Career Advancement Tuition Waiver recipients shall be eligible for tuition for up to three state-supported graduate courses (in education or areas related to the teacher's subject matter), one for each of their first three years of teaching. Waivers must be used within two years of the year of teaching in a public school that has provided eligibility for the waiver. Individual student awards shall be up to the resident tuition rate at the participating institution. How Do I Apply? Contact the financial aid office at the institution you are attending or plan to attend for application requirements or deadlines.

The Collaborative Teachers Tuition Waiver encourages Massachusetts's public school teachers to become mentors to full-time student teachers from State colleges and universities. The program is designed to support the professional development of public school teachers in the Commonwealth. Under the agreement, the mentoring teacher receives a waiver for up to one graduate-level course for each student teacher he/she mentors. The waiver can be used for courses in education or related to the teacher's major field offered by State colleges and the University of Massachusetts. Who Is Eligible? To be eligible for a Collaborative Teachers Tuition Waiver, a student must: Agree to mentor a student teacher from a State college or university in their classroom. Be a public school teacher in the year he/she is using the award. Be a permanent legal resident of Massachusetts. Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen. Not be in default of a Federal or State loan or owe a refund on any previously received financial aid. File a current year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Eligible Institutions The nine Massachusetts State Colleges and the four campuses of the University of Massachusetts. Award Amounts Collaborative Teachers shall be eligible for a tuition waiver for up to one state-supported graduate-level course for each student teacher mentored with a maximum of one student teacher mentored per semester. Collaborative Teachers can request waivers for up to two years after the completion of the mentoring relationship for which eligibility is based. Individual student awards shall be no more than the resident graduate tuition rate at the participating institution. How Do I Apply? Contact the financial aid office at the institution you are attending or plan to attend for application requirements or deadlines. You can also call the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance at (617) 391-6070 to obtain more information.

Who Is Eligible? To be eligible for an Incentive Program for Aspiring Teachers, a student must: Be in his/her third and/or fourth year of college and enrolled in state approved teacher education program field with teacher shortages. Have a cumulative 3.0 grade point average in general education courses. Commit to teaching for two (2) years (one year for each year of full or partial tuition waiver received) in a public school in the Commonwealth upon successful completion of a bachelor's degree from the college or university and the appropriate certification pursuant to section 38G of Chapter 71 M.G.L. Be deemed eligible by the institution. Complete an agreement regarding service and/or repayment (including interest). Achieve a 3.0 grade point average in the third year in order to receive the tuition waiver for the second year (senior year). Be a permanent resident of Massachusetts for at least one year prior to the opening of the academic year. Be a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen. Be in compliance with applicable Selective Registration requirements. Not be in default of any federal or state loan or owe a refund on any previously received financial aid. Be maintaining satisfactory academic progress in accordance with institutional standards. File a current year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Eligible Institutions The nine Massachusetts State Colleges and the four campuses of the University of Massachusetts. Award Amounts Students eligible for the Incentive Program for Aspiring Teachers will be entitled to a tuition waiver equal to the resident tuition rate at the State College or participating University campus at which they are enrolled for two years. The tuition waiver for the second year of eligibility (senior year) is contingent upon the student earning a 3.0 grade point average in the third year. Forfeiture of Tuition Waiver Award Persons who participate in the program but do not complete their college education within four years of entering the certification program or who fail to complete their two-year teaching commitment within four years following graduation from college, shall be obligated to pay the Commonwealth the full amount of the tuition waivers granted through the Incentive Program for Aspiring Teachers, prorated according to the fraction of teaching not completed, with interest, as determined by the Board of Higher Education. How Do I Apply? Contact the financial aid at the State College or University that you are attending or plan to attend for application requirements and deadlines. You can also contact the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance at (617) 391-6070 to obtain more information.

Eligibility requirements: Legal residents of Delaware. U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens. Full-time students enrolled at a Delaware college in an undergraduate program leading to teacher certification. High school seniors must rank in upper half of class and have a combined score of 1570 on the SAT. Undergraduates must have at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA. Awards may be provided for programs of study not available in Delaware or prorated for part-time students. Preference is given to applicants planning to teach in a critical need area as defined by the Delaware Department of Education. Award: Loan not to exceed cost of tuition, mandatory fees, and other direct educational expenses. Renewable for up to three additional years with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 Loan forgiveness provision at a rate of one year of teaching in a Delaware public school for one year of loan.

The mission of the South Carolina Teaching Fellows Program is to recruit talented high school seniors into the teaching profession and to help them develop leadership qualities. Each year, the program provides fellowships to up to 200 high school seniors. Awards: Up to $6,000 yearly scholarship for four years, including $300 a year for summer enrichment. Eligibility: Written and oral application process, high academic achievement, a history of service to the school and community, and a desire to teach South Carolina's children.