Teacher Education Scholarships

Every year, the American Montessori Society awards teacher education scholarships to aspiring Montessori teachers in support of their professional growth.

Those eligible to apply for scholarships are individuals who have been accepted, are in the process of being accepted, or are already enrolled in an AMS-affiliated teacher education program at any of these credential levels: Infant & Toddler, Early Childhood, Elementary (I, I – II, II), and Secondary (I, I – II). These scholarships are not available for individuals enrolled in an AMS Administrator or MIE course.

Applications for 2024 – 2025

The application period for the 2024 – 2025 academic year is February 1, 2024 to April 19, 2024. The scholarship application window will close at 11:59 pm (ET) on Friday, April 19, 2024.

To Apply

Applications must be submitted through the online application form.

Here's what you will need to complete before you begin:

• Review the AMS TE Scholarship Guidelines for Online Submission
• Applicant information
• Personal statement
• Verification of TEP acceptance
• Financial statement
• 2023 income tax form
• Three letters of recommendation

Once started, the online form cannot be saved, so please have all scholarship application materials prepared before you begin.

Please view our sample version of the application form to assist in the preparation of the scholarship application.

If you are unable to access the online application form, please contact the TE Office at tes@amshq.org.

Selection Process

Scholarship recipients are selected by a committee chaired by a representative of the Teacher Educators Section of the AMS Board of Directors.

Applicants are considered on the basis of financial need, a compelling personal statement, 3 original letters of recommendation, and official verification of acceptance into an AMS-affiliated program.

Funds

Scholarships are drawn from 3 funds:

• The AMS Teacher Education Scholarship Fund, for which monies are raised in honor of the current Living Legacy.
• The Zell Family Scholarship Fund, established in 1995 by Dr. Pamela Zell Rigg to honor the memory of her late mother, Agnes Kister, and her late brother, John Kister Zell. Dr. Rigg seeded the initial fund with $20,000 and grew it to $100,000. AMS administers this fund, drawing from it to award scholarships every year in which funds are available.
• The Joanne P. Hammes Scholarship Fund, established by an anonymous donor in 2013 to honor Ms. Hammes’s lifelong work as a Montessori educator. AMS administers this fund, providing scholarships every year in which funds are available.