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Teacher associations and universities across the United States are now offering scholarships for Spanish education majors to lower the cost of college tuition. Spanish education degrees are often available at the bachelor’s or master’s level to give aspiring educators the language fluency to teach K-12 or college Spanish. Most majors will study abroad and take cultural immersion trips to truly embrace the lifestyle of Spanish-speaking countries.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, foreign language is one of the critical teacher shortage areas. There’s a high need for Spanish education majors to teach bilingual and ESL students as well. Spanish is America’s fastest-growing language with the number of speakers spiking 233% since 1980. If you have a knack for this Romance language and a passion for teaching, consider applying for some of the following 25 Spanish education scholarships.
1. Audrey L. Wright Scholarship
Deadline: April 1st
Through the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, the Audrey L. Wright Scholarship is awarded annually for $1,000 to undergraduate college students who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree in foreign language or education, including Spanish education. Qualified candidates must have resided in Kent County for at least three years, attend an accredited non-profit college, exhibit financial need, carry a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, and have graduated from a Grand Rapids area high school.
Contact
Audrey L. Wright Scholarship
185 Oakes Street SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 454-1751
grfound@grfoundation.org
2. Celas Maya Spanish Teacher Scholarship
Deadline: March 31st
Established in 1999, the Celas Maya Spanish Teacher Scholarship is awarded via the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) to award full tuition for two weeks of intensive, one-on-one Spanish study in Guatemala. To qualify, applicants must be ACTFL members, be non-native Spanish speakers, and demonstrate a high level of interest in teaching Spanish. Recipients also receive two weeks of accommodation with a host family and a day trip to explore Quetzaltenango.
Contact
Celas Maya Spanish Teacher Scholarship
1001 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 894-2900
celasmaya@gmail.com
Scholarship Link
3. Centro Mundolengua Scholarships
Deadline: February 28th
Current and aspiring Spanish high school teachers can apply for the Centro Mundolengua Scholarships to receive full tuition coverage for participating in its College Board AP Summer Workshop in Seville. University students must be majoring in Spanish education, have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, and have a passion for the Spanish language and culture. Housing with a Spanish family is included, but recipients must afford their own airfare and travel costs.
Contact
Centro Mundolengua Scholarships
Cuesta del Rosario 8
Seville, Spain 41004
(312) 376-8034
yayebaena@centromundolengua.com
4. Dr. Carlos E. Castañeda Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: April 30th or October 30th
In honor of a Mexican immigrant who raised his four sisters and eventually earned a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, the Dr. Carlos E. Castañeda Memorial Scholarship is granted by International Studies Abroad (ISA) annually for up to $2,500. Eligible candidates must be accepted into a study abroad program, attend an ISA-affiliated university, have at least sophomore status, carry a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25, and be majoring in a foreign language, including Spanish education.
Contact
Dr. Carlos E. Castañeda Memorial Scholarship
1112 West Ben White Blvd.
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 480-8522
isa@studiesabroad.com
5. Dr. Luis F. Clay-Méndez Scholarship
Deadline: March 27th
At Eastern Illinois University, the Dr. Luis F. Clay-Méndez Scholarship is awarded each year for $1,000 to sophomore or junior Spanish majors who have completed at least 75 hours of coursework for foreign language teacher certification. Interested students must have a minimum cumulative major GPA of 3.0, exhibit an outgoing spirit, and write a brief one-page personal statement. Other undergraduate Spanish education scholarships at EIU include the Ruth Carman Scholarship and Crouse Memorial Scholarship.
Contact
Dr. Luis F. Clay-Méndez Scholarship
600 Lincoln Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 581-3021
ckeydt@eiu.edu
6. Dylan D. Ellefson Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: March 31st
Annually, the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin- Madison offers the Dylan D. Ellefson Memorial Scholarship for $1,000 to undergraduate students who are admitted into the world language teacher education program. Preference is given for Spanish majors who wish to teach secondary education. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, show outstanding fieldwork performance, and exhibit promise as a leader in the foreign language teaching profession.
Contact
Dylan D. Ellefson Memorial Scholarship
333 East Campus Mall
Madison, WI 53715
(608) 262-9996
scholarships-soe@education.wisc.edu
7. Eleanor Waner Dedmon Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
As one of the Spanish education scholarships at East Central University, the Eleanor Waner Dedmon Scholarship is awarded for $2,000 per semester for incoming freshman who are majoring in education and pursuing the Spanish endorsement or minor. Eligible applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.25, complete at least 24 credits annually, maintain full-time studies, earn an ACT score of 25 or higher, and show evidence of economic need. Two letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and an essay are required.
Contact
Eleanor Waner Dedmon Scholarship
1100 East 14th Street
Ada, OK 74820
(580) 559-5349
TCurry@ecok.edu
Scholarship Link
8. Faye LaVerne Bumpass Scholarships
Deadline: February 3rd
For at least $600 each year, the Faye LaVerne Bumpass Scholarships are offered at Texas Tech University for deserving juniors, seniors, or graduate students who are majoring in Spanish or bilingual education and working on teacher certification. Qualified applicants must be committed to a career in teaching, maintain a minimum overall 3.0 GPA, have unmet financial need, and exhibit high teacher potential. Similarly, the Harley D. Oberhelman Spanish Scholarship is awarded for $400 annually.
Contact
Faye LaVerne Bumpass Scholarships
2500 Broadway
Lubbock, TX 79409
(806) 742-2011
sarah.hatley@ttu.edu
9. Frank Herrera Scholarship
Deadline: February 28th
Established by Mrs. Mary Betty Herrera in honor of her late husband, the Frank Herrera Scholarship is available through West Virginia University’s Eberly College of Arts and Sciences to award $1,000 to world languages majors. Recipients must carry a minimum major GPA of 3.0, be pursuing a career in education, and demonstrate financial need. Preference is given to West Virginia residents with foreign-born status and native Spanish-speaking ability. Scholarship funding can be used to study abroad.
Contact
Frank Herrera Scholarship
P.O. Box 6298
Morgantown, WV 26506
(304) 293-5121
worldlanginfo@mail.wvu.edu
10. Helen G. Agbay New Teacher Scholarship
Deadline: June 15th
Sponsored by the Massachusetts Foreign Language Association (MaFLA), the Helen G. Agbay New Teacher Scholarship is presented annually for $500 to full-time foreign language teachers (K-12) who have less than 10 years of experience teaching in a public or private school. Eligible MaFLA members must need financial assistance to earn an accredited master’s degree in French or Spanish education. Applications must include college transcripts, proof of matriculation, two recommendation letters, and a one-page personal statement.
Contact
Helen G. Agbay New Teacher Scholarship
43 Ralph Road
Marblehead, MA 01945
(781) 639-3140
membership@mafla.org
11. Laura E. Settle Teaching Scholarship
Deadline: March 9th
In memory of the primary founder and first present of the California Retired Teachers Association (CalRTA), the Laura E. Settle Teaching Scholarship awards $3,000 apiece to 30 junior, senior, and graduate students in accredited teacher certification programs annually. Priority is given to Spanish and bilingual education majors. All applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.5, reside in California, be U.S. citizens, show exemplary character, and provide a list of experiences working with children.
Contact
Laura E. Settle Teaching Scholarship
800 Howe Avenue Suite 370
Sacramento, CA 95825
(916) 923-2200
sherry@calrta.org
12. Linda Ruroy Memorial Spanish Scholarship
Deadline: March 2nd
Created in honor of a University of Hawaii at Manoa professor who taught Spanish for nearly 20 years and shared her passion for Latin American culture, the Linda Ruroy Memorial Spanish Scholarship is awarded annually for $1,000. Qualified candidates must be enrolled full-time as undergraduates, be majoring in Spanish or Spanish education, carry a minimum GPA of 3.0, and have completed at least 12 upper-division Spanish credits. Two letters of support from Spanish faculty and a 300-word essay is required.
Contact
Linda Ruroy Memorial Spanish Scholarship
2444 Dole Street
Honolulu, HI 96822
(808) 956-8753
scholars@hawaii.edu
13. Lynn Sandstedt Scholarship
Deadline: August 31st
The American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP) awards the Lynn Sandstedt Scholarship for $1,500 each year to current middle or high school Spanish teachers who have been in the profession for three to seven years. Eligible teachers must plan to enroll in one of the study abroad programs in Spain, such as Estudo Sampere or Fundación Comillas. Selection will be based on teachers’ great promise as leaders in world language education and interest in bringing the Spanish-speaking culture to life.
Contact
Lynn Sandstedt Scholarship
900 Ladd Road
Walled Lake, MI 48390
(248) 960-2180
AATSPoffice@aatsp.org
Scholarship Link
14. Mary Louise White Scholarship
Deadline: April 10th
At the University of Houston, the Mary Louise White Scholarship is bestowed annually for $1,000 upon two undergraduate students who are majoring in Spanish or Spanish Teacher Education for teaching at the elementary, secondary, or college level. Applicants must have earned at least six semester hours in Spanish, be enrolled full-time at the main campus, and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Future Spanish teachers must submit a one-page letter in Spanish, two letters of recommendation, and an official transcript.
Contact
Mary Louise White Scholarship
416 Agnes Arnold Hall
Houston, TX 77204
(713) 743-3007
revuelta@uh.edu
15. Meta Marion Goldsmith Scholarship
Deadline: April 15th
With a value of $1,500 per academic year, the Meta Marion Goldsmith Scholarship is awarded at San Jose State University for undergraduate or graduate students majoring in world languages and pursuing teaching credentials. Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish majors are welcome to apply. Qualified individuals must have completed at least one semester full-time, maintain a minimum major GPA of 3.5, have certified financial need, and show leadership in WL clubs.
Contact
Meta Marion Goldsmith Scholarship
1 Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192
(408) 924-4602
worldlanguagesandlit@sjsu.edu
16. McCoy Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: Varies
Ranging from $2,000 to $4,000 apiece, the McCoy Foundation Scholarships are offered by the Gordon T. & Ellen West College of Education at Midwestern State University annually. Funding is allotted for secondary education majors who are planning to teach math, science, language arts, social studies, Spanish, or bilingual education. Full-time undergraduate students with a minimum overall GPA of 2.7 are qualified. Post-baccalaureate and graduate Spanish education scholarships, like the D.L. & Gertrude Ligon Scholarship, are also available.
Contact
McCoy Foundation Scholarships
3410 Taft Blvd.
Wichita Falls, TX 76308
(940) 397-4792
sherrie.johnson@mwsu.edu
17. NSE Study Abroad Scholarships
Deadline: January 15th
Also administered by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP), the National Spanish Examination (NSE) Study Abroad Scholarships are given to current members who are full-time Spanish teachers. There are four $4,100 scholarships available to study in Spain and two $2,100 scholarships offered to study in Costa Rica. All applicants must be U.S. citizens, be registered to administer the online NSE, have a minimum of three years of Spanish teaching experience, attach a resume or CV, and provide transcripts.
Contact
NSE Study Abroad Scholarships
900 Ladd Road
Walled Lake, MI 48390
(248) 960-2180
lmikenas@nationalspanishexam.org
18. Premio Mario Vargas Llosa Scholarship
Deadline: May 1st
Through the Sigma Delta Pi Honor Society, the Premio Mario Vargas Llosa Scholarship is presented annually for $500 to $1,000 to undergraduate Spanish or Spanish education majors who display outstanding achievement. Eligible candidates must be enrolled full-time in an accredited university, have completed at least eight upper-division courses in Spanish, be Sigma Delta Pi members, and regular involvement in Spanish extra-curricular activities. All recipients are also given one of Vargas Llosa’s novels.
Contact
Premio Mario Vargas Llosa Scholarship
66 George Street
Charleston, SC 29424
(843) 953-6748
delmastromp@cofc.edu
Scholarship Link
19. Robert G. Mead Jr. Scholarship
Deadline: December 31st
Spanish education majors wishing to study abroad to a Luso-Brazilian or Hispanic country could qualify for $1,000 through Robert G. Mead Jr. Scholarship from the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP). Eligibility is extended to full-time college students who have been AATSP members for two years and have no experience living in a Luso-Hispanic country. For these Spanish education scholarships, applicants must submit a two-page project proposal, current CV, and two letters of recommendation.
Contact
Robert G. Mead Jr. Scholarship
900 Ladd Road
Walled Lake, MI 48390
(248) 960-2180
AATSPoffice@aatsp.org
20. Sidney Gorman Endowed Scholarship
Deadline: January 15th
In honor of a beloved Spanish teacher in Alameda County, the Sidney Gorman Endowed Scholarship is granted by the California Language Teachers’ Association (CLTA) to provide financial support to new teachers seeking to improve their competency with a master’s degree. Eligible recipients must be CLTA members, have less than five years of teaching experience, and participate in CLTA’s annual statewide conference. Teachers must be nominated by their school district for excellence in teaching any world language other than English.
Contact
Sidney Gorman Endowed Scholarship
1688 Sandyrock Lane
San Jose, CA 95125
(916) 725-2211
treasurer@clta.net
21. Steinhardt Scholarship for Advanced Study
Deadline: March 1st
As one of few graduate Spanish education scholarships at New York University, the Steinhardt Scholarship for Advanced Study will cover 30% of tuition costs for students pursuing the Master of Arts in Education, including the Teaching Spanish major. Applicants must apply for admission in their senior year, carry a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, enroll for full-time study, and display financial need for assistance. Applications must include undergraduate transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a FAFSA form, and a personal statement.
Contact
Steinhardt Scholarship for Advanced Study
239 Greene Street
New York, NY 10003
(212) 998-5460
jwf3@nyu.edu
22. TEACH Grant Program
Deadline: Varies
Each year, the U.S. Department of Education hosts the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program to provide up to $4,000 to education majors who agree to teach in a high-need field, including foreign language and bilingual education. Applicants must enroll full-time as undergraduate or graduate students at an accredited American university with a minimum GPA of 3.25. Recipients must work as full-time teachers for at least four years in a low-income school.
Contact
TEACH Grant Program
400 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20202
(800) 433-3243
23. T. Earle Hamilton Scholarship
Deadline: April 15th
Named for the founder of the Texas Foreign Language Association (TFLA), the T. Earle Hamilton Scholarship is granted for up to $2,500 annually to outstanding high school seniors who have completed at least the third level of foreign language study. TFLA members nominate one student each year who plans to continue studying world languages, including Spanish education, at an accredited in-state Texas university. Aspiring Spanish teachers can also apply for the association’s Rosemary Patterson Grant.
Contact
T. Earle Hamilton Scholarship
P.O. Box 6386
Katy, TX 77491
president@tfla.info
24. Vermont Language Teacher Scholarship
Deadline: January 15th
At Middlebury College, the Vermont Language Teacher Scholarship will provide full tuition for an undergraduate student enrolled in the Middlebury Educational Studies program to become certified to teach a foreign language. Full-time undergraduate majors in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Russian, and Spanish will qualify. For consideration, applications must include proof of financial need, one letter of recommendation, and an updated official transcript.
Contact
Vermont Language Teacher Scholarship
14 Old Chapel Road
Middlebury, VT 05753
(802) 443-5510
languages@middlebury.edu
25. WAFLT Scholarships for Tomorrow’s Teachers
Deadline: September 25th
The Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers (WAFLT) distributes 10 Scholarships for Tomorrow’s Leaders annually to college-level junior, senior, or graduate students who have declared a major in foreign language education, including Spanish. Eligible Wisconsin residents must have joined the WAFLT, have completed a language methods course, and wish to attend the associate’s Fall Conference. Applications aren’t accepted without a one-paged typed personal statement and individualized letter of recommendation.
Contact
WAFLT Scholarships for Tomorrow’s Teachers
P.O. Box 1493
Appleton, WI 54911
grants@waflt.org
Scholarship Link
Unless you’re a native Spanish speaker, you’ll need to earn at least a four-year bachelor’s degree in education to start teaching in Español. Affording a Spanish education degree can be costly with today’s rising higher learning tuition rates. However, your investment can pay off in creating a rewarding, high-need career. Some Spanish education majors even teach at the post-secondary level, where they bring home an average yearly salary of $67,910. Using funding from these great scholarships for Spanish education majors can also make the teacher preparation process more affordable.
