Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers

The Charles Butt Foundation identifies and pilots promising ideas to improve public education, and supports the conditions and public policies needed to scale proven approaches to benefit all Texas students. Through this portal, you can apply for the following programs:

The Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers provides scholarships, professional development, mentoring and other support to future teachers at 27 teacher preparation programs across the state.

The Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers one component of the Raising Texas Teachers initiative – is designed to encourage promising students to consider a future in the teaching profession. The scholarship consists of $8,000 or $10,000 in annual funding, as well as ongoing professional development opportunities, mentorship from public school educators, and participation in a statewide network of aspiring teachers. The scholarship is open to students who are working toward receiving their initial teaching certification within selected programs at the universities listed in the online table.

The Charles Butt Scholarship is exclusively for students committed to a teaching career in the Texas public school system in either a Title 1 school or in a shortage subject area (math, science, bilingual, or special education).  

Scholarships will be awarded annually through teacher preparation programs at 27 university-based teacher preparation programs (listed online) each year. The competitive selection process includes an application, pre-screening by university teams, and an individual interview.

The Charles Butt Scholarship application will open in October 2025. The submission deadline for applications for each program is listed online.  If you are not currently enrolled at the university or universities through which you are applying for the scholarship, you must apply to the university/universities through their normal admissions process. The Charles Butt Scholarship application is not an application for admittance into any university.

Charles Butt Scholar Knowledge, Skills, and Values

The Charles Butt Foundation evaluates all scholarship applicants on the following knowledge, skills, and values:

• Written communication
• Oral communication
• Collaboration
• Leadership
• Altruism
• Passion for education
• Equity-driven
• Belief in the power of teaching
• Academic achievement
• Persistence and continuous learning