Augustana’s $4,000 Education Pathway Scholarship newest opportunity for future teachers

From student-teaching settings to scholarships, Augustana shines for engaged learning opportunities for education majors. The newest is the $4,000 Education Pathway Scholarship ($1,000 per year for four years) for high school students in Illinois currently completing the Education Pathways program. More than 100 Illinois high schools offer the pathways program, which includes two years of authentic work-based learning in elementary and high school classrooms.

To apply for the Education Pathway Scholarship, email admissions@augustana.edu. Applications are accepted until Dec. 1, 2026.

Work-based learning at Augustana

Previous hands-on learning experience is proof that a prospective education major can enroll at Augustana well prepared for the college learning environment. While engaged learning is a strategic priority for all Augustana students, for education majors it can mean something more.

If anyone can gain the most from engaged learning, it’s a future teacher—someone who will soon have a classroom of learners looking to them for guidance and inspiration.

Because of the depth of their preparation, Augustana graduates in education are in high demand—with 100% placement for grads who choose teaching. Their work in the classroom, both on campus and in teaching settings throughout the metro and rural Quad Cities region, builds success.

Augustana’s education department has a longstanding partnership with nearby Longfellow Liberal Arts Elementary School, involving majors in clinical experiences and special projects. In 2025-26, 77 Augustana students designed, implemented and analyzed the success of reading intervention programs they held at Longfellow and Garfield elementary schools, led by Dr. Michelle Hinzman-Ferris, Augustana assistant professor of education. These students also are contributing to their field by presenting their findings at regional and international education conferences.

Another reason for Augustana education graduates’ success is the strength of their mentoring relationship network, beginning on campus with professors and peers, and continuing well beyond graduation.

The 28-year tradition of the Beginning Teachers Workshop is an example: every year, education alumni return to campus to reconnect with their professors and share their knowledge through workshops with aspiring teachers. Learning about current trends and best practices from successful teachers, education majors graduate confident and classroom-ready.

More scholarship and grant opportunities

Augustana offers many scholarship and grant opportunities so that all students benefit from special high-impact learning experiences. A great example is Augie Choice, offering every student up to $2,000 to fund an internship, research or creative project, or study abroad. 

Among Augustana’s 2025 graduating class, 83.5% had at least one internship and 35% performed research with a professor. Another third studied abroad. Many education majors use Augie Choice for the department’s hands-on teaching experience in Jamaica program. 

For education majors in STEM fields, Augustana’s Promoting Opportunities in STEM Teaching (POST) scholarship is a special opportunity. The scholarship serves students preparing to teach secondary mathematics or science in high-needs school districts on the local, state and national levels.

While these and other scholarship opportunities for engaged learning are available to students once they are at Augustana, if you are an Illinois high school student eligible for the new Education Pathway Scholarship, please email admissions@augustana.edu as soon as possible for more information and/or an application. Applications are due December 1.

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