Maryland Catholic schoolteachers and college students who wish to teach in the state’s Catholic schools are eligible to receive state scholarships to pursue careers in fields with a critical teacher shortage. The deadline to apply for the 2008-2009 academic year is July 1.
The awards range from $1,000 to $4,000 annually and are renewable for up to five years. To be considered for the grants based on need, applicants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by July 1.
The scholarships are awarded through Maryland’s Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grants program to eligible degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students at Maryland colleges, universities and community colleges. Part-time students are eligible to receive the award. Grant recipients must agree to perform a service obligation by working in a particular workforce shortage area upon completing their studies.
The program was extended last year to the nonpublic school community, following the successful legislative advocacy efforts of the Maryland Catholic Conference.
Recipients of the teaching grant must be Maryland residents and must become certified in the critical shortage field for which they received the award. They must complete their service obligation by teaching in that field in a Maryland Catholic, nonpublic or public school. Teaching fields with a critical shortage include special education, English for speakers of other languages, high school sciences and some high school foreign languages.
Undergraduate and graduate students who wish to be considered for the scholarship must submit a completed application, academic transcripts and the FAFSA (if they wish to be considered based on need) by July 1.
For more details, or to download an application, visit https://www.mhec.state.md.us/financialAid/ProgramDescriptions/prog_WSSAG.asp or www.mdcathcon.org, or call the Maryland Higher Education Commission at 1-800-974-1024.