Secondary Education Scholarships

The University of Minnesota, Morris has a strong scholarship program that includes scholarships particular to education students. The Office of Financial Aid provides comprehensive scholarship information for the campus, but here are highlights:

Morris offers Automatic Scholarships ranging from full tuition to $1,000 per year based on high school class rank, National Merit status, or cumulative GPA for transfer students.

Morris’s Competitive Scholarships Program awards incoming first-year students scholarships that range from full tuition to $5,000 per year based on several criteria, including an essay.

Many donor-funded scholarships at Morris are available to students because of generous donations from Morris alumni and friends of the campus. Eligibility varies based on each scholarship’s awarding criteria.

—Andrew Spofford ’07
William R. Scarborough
Memorial Award

Scholarships available for students pursuing secondary educational careers are listed below.

Education students are automatically eligible for the following scholarships:

Arnie Henjum Education Scholarship

Irene Henjum and the late Dr. Arnie Henjum established this scholarship for secondary education students who demonstrate excellence in education, a deep commitment to the practices of teaching and the study of learning, and outstanding potential to contribute to the field of education. Henjum, a professor of education at Morris from 1964 until 1992, made innumerable contributions to public education in Minnesota.

Criteria: The Education faculty will choose Morris students or graduates based on GPA, faculty recommendations, personal interview, written statements, a deep commitments to the practices of teaching and the study of learning, outstanding potential to contribute to the field of education and practicum evaluation to be “the best and the brightest” student enrolling in next year's Secondary Education Program.

Amount: $900

American Indian Salt Springs Teacher Scholarship

The American Indian Salt Springs Award is presented to outstanding American Indian education students.

Criteria: A Multi-Ethnic Student Program committee chooses recipients on the basis of academic excellence and contribution to the Indian and campus community.

Amount: $1,000

Florence Eystad Gahm Memorial Scholarship

The scholarship was given in Florence Eystad Gahm’s memory by her late husband, Wilbur Gahm. Florence was a passionate advocate for education and a member of the West Central Educational Development Association, the organization that lobbied for the establishment of the Morris campus. In the 1960s, she taught remedial noncredit English for Morris students who didn’t qualify for freshman composition. Recipients are junior English majors who plan to teach secondary education or at the college level.

Criteria: Junior, English major, preferably Minnesota resident, intending to teach secondary education

Renewable senior year by maintaining academic progress requirements

Amount: $1,200

Hansen Memorial Scholarship

The scholarship was established by the children of Daisy Regis Hansen and Harry A. Hansen. Daisy was a Morris faculty member who taught stringed instrument technique and, for a time, served as concertmistress of the orchestra. Harry worked as custodian in the Morris public schools. The scholarship is presented to a student majoring in music or music education on the basis of academic merit, including outstanding musical performance.

Secondary Education Alumni Scholarship

The Secondary Education Alumni Scholarship is awarded to a secondary education student based on academic merit. This scholarship is made possible by collective gifts from UMM education alumni.

Education students must complete an application for the following scholarship and award:

Estelle Lee Scholarship

This scholarship was created through the estate of Estelle Lundring Lee, a longtime resident of Morris and friend of the Morris campus. The scholarship assists those planning to teach in elementary, secondary, or higher education in obtaining a multi-cultural experience outside of Minnesota. It covers the course fee charged for students who go outside the sixty-mile service area for student teaching.

Criteria: GPA 3.25 minimum, student teach outside of Minnesota in a culturally diverse school

Amount: $300

William R. Scarborough Memorial Award

Presented annually to a senior enrolled in either the elementary or secondary education program, this award recognizes a student’s demonstrated competence and potential for becoming an outstanding member of the teaching profession. William Scarborough joined the Morris faculty in 1966, made many contributions to public education in Minnesota, and served as chair of the Division of Education until his death in 1979.

Recipient List »

• 2010 Sarah Duffy
• 2009 Audrey Nomeland
• 2008 Brian Eberhardt
• 2007 Andrew Spofford
• 2006 Christina M. Rettmann
• 2005 Katherine C. Nelson
• 2004 Anne M. Droske
• 2003 Bettina M. Mohn
• 2002 John K. Oman
• 2001 NeCol M. Cartier
• 2000 Jessica M. Englin
• 1999 DeEtte L. Tobias
• 1998 May Lee Xiong
• 1997 Lue Her
• 1996 Kathy G. Severson
• 1995 Lai John Alberts
• 1994 Christine M. Berglund
• 1993 Heather L. Myrom
• 1992 Brian A. Harris
• 1991 Suzette M. Westhoff
• 1990 Diane B. Middendorf
• 1989 Aleisha Y. Fuller
• 1988 Matthew F. Deis
• 1987 Jill M. Bregel
• 1986 Lonnie J. Seifert
• 1985 Hege B. Herfindahl
• 1984 Joyce J. Vancura
• 1983 Kathryn M. Schotzko
• 1982 Darcy J. Rheingans
• 1981 Jeffrey J. Houselog
• 1980 Patricia J. Stamness

Off-campus scholarships for education students

Audrey Erskine Education Scholarship

Requirements: Pursuing a course of study to become a teacher at the preschool, elementary, or secondary level. Be a current member of Education Minnesota Student Program. Currently a student in their junior or senior year of college.

Deadline: June 1st annually

Amount: $350 to $500

Bruce Vento Science Educator Scholarship Fund

Requirements: Students enrolled more than half time in upper level science education courses in degree-granting programs at accredited colleges or universities. Applicants must be (a) residents of Minnesota's 4th Congressional District, or (b) residential students who meet the 20-day residency requirement for voting in the 4th Congressional District at the time the scholarship application is submitted.

Deadline: June 15th annually

Amount: up to $5,000

James Madison Graduate Fellowships

Requirements: A teacher, or one who plans to become a teacher, of American History, American Government, or Social Studies at the secondary school level.

Deadline: March 1st annually

Federal TEACH Grant

The TEACH Grant is a federally funded gift program for full-time undergraduate students or students enrolled in a post-baccalaureate teacher credential program. Eligible undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students will receive up to $16,000 with this automatic $4,000 ($2,000 per enrolled semester) TEACH Grant. This grant is based on sufficient federal funds from the United States Department of Education and the student’s enrollment status as of the Essential Deadline of each term.

Students enrolled less than full time will have their TEACH Grants reduced according to a schedule established by the U.S. Department of Education regulations.

In exchange for receiving a TEACH Grant, students must agree to serve as a full-time teacher in a high need field (tsa.doc link) in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves low income students. TEACH Grant recipients must teach for at least four academic years within eight calendar years of completing the program of study for which a TEACH Grant was received.

IMPORTANT: If you fail to complete this service obligation, all amounts of TEACH Grants received will be converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans that must be repaid to the U.S. Department of Education. Interest will be charged from the date the grant(s) was disbursed. Note: TEACH Grant recipients will be given a six-month grade period prior to entering repayment if a TEACH Grant is converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan.

Student Eligibility Requirements:

To receive a TEACH Grant, each year you must–

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), although you do not have to demonstrate financial need.
• Be a U.S. Citizen or eligible noncitizen.
• Be enrolled as an undergraduate or post-baccalaureate student in a postsecondary educational institution that has chosen to participate in the TEACH Grant Program.
• Be enrolled in coursework that is necessary to begin a career in teaching or plan to complete such coursework. Such coursework may include subject area courses (e.g., math courses for a student who intends to be a math teacher).
• Meet certain academic achievement requirements: score above the 75th percentile on one battery of a college admissions test (ACT or SAT), or maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.25.
• Sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve.
• Complete a University of Minnesota, Morris TEACH Grant Application.

The priority deadline to complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the University of Minnesota, Morris to the federal processor is March 1.

Students must be enrolled for at least 12 credits to receive a full TEACH Grant. When students are enrolled for less than 12 credits, the TEACH Grant will be adjusted based on a schedule established by the U.S. Department of Education regulations.

For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Education.