
Teaching bursaries are designed to help students interested in the field of education get access to higher learning. Depending on where students are going to school, they will have access to bursaries for teaching . Programs that give out a teaching bursary are especially common in Europe but have also been known to exist in South Africa and even Australia. Students will find that these programs offer quite a bit of financial aid, and they should be sought by anybody who needs help funding their education.
While some teaching bursaries are targeted at students in the lower income range, there will be programs available for students at all levels. If interested in a teaching bursary, students should always consider talking to the education department at the specific university they are attending – many programs exist in these departments that students may be able to take advantage of. Of course if such a program does not exist locally, students should always consider more regional and national programs.
United Kingdom Teaching Bursary
In the United Kingdom, there are teaching bursaries available locally, regionally, and nationally so students should be quite capable of finding the funding they will need.
The Association of Teachers and Lecturers provides the New 2 Teaching bursary program which gives out generous sums of money to students. Teachers who are looking for post graduate education should certainly consider this particular teaching bursary as it is designed with them in mind. It gives out 6,000 pounds to general students or 7,000 pounds to students who are focusing on mathematics. Those who are interested in this program should be teaching in Wales and potential applicants should discuss their situation with their local school representative or their regional association office.
New York Teaching Bursaries
The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation provides a teaching bursary to students who are looking to land jobs as teachers in subjects related to math or science. This program gives out up to $4,995 and can be renewed annually. Applicants will need to be full time students enrolled in a New York State University, be in an approved degree program, have at least a 2.5 grade point average, and be prepared to sign a contract which will obligate them to work for five years as a math or science teacher. This teaching bursary can only be renewed for a total of four years. While the 2011 deadline has passed, students should pay attention to website and be prepared to act as soon as the new program is announced.
South Africa Teaching Bursaries
One of the biggest teaching bursary programs available in South Africa is the Funza Lushaka program which is offered by the South African Department of Basic Education. Most universities in the country which provide a teaching bursary do so through this program.
This particular teaching bursary provides bursaries to students interested in teaching grades 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. Applicants who are not getting a degree specifically in education but are interested in this program may have access to the financial aid but must sign a contract which requires them to get the Postgraduate Certificate in Education after graduation. Graduate students in education are also eligible for the program.
As with many South African program, this teaching bursary covers the entirety of a student’s tuition, living expenses, and school related spending. All application material must be submitted by October of every year.
Wales Teaching Bursary
Students who may be interested in teaching in Wales may be interested in the teaching bursary offered by the Training and Development Agency. This program gives financial assistance to student pursuing undergraduate level education courses that are either currently teaching in Wales or plan to after graduation. There are also teaching bursaries available for students who are entering graduate studies offered through the employment based teacher training program. Specifically the undergraduate teaching bursary is targeted at technology training, though there are also programs available for financial hardships or post graduate level courses in any topic. The amounts awarded range from 6,000 pounds to 9,000. Applications can be turned in at any time but to properly capitalize on funds should turned in before the start of the school year.