Student Teaching Scholarship Details

In response to the tremendous need for educators in rural areas, it is with pleasure that the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance (WiRSA) offers an annual scholarship program specifically for Student Teachers. To qualify, the applicant must be a student teacher (interns are not eligible for this scholarship) in good standing at a participating member school.

The scholarship will be awarded annually to one student teacher from each of the four membership regions of Wisconsin as specified in the organization’s bylaws. Each recipient will receive a one-time cash scholarship of $750 to be used by the student to help defray the costs while student teaching and related expenses. A written essay for each question is required for the application that expands on the following information:

  • Why do you want to teach in a rural school?

  • What impact can you have on rural students?

Guidelines

  • To qualify, a student must teach at a current paid WiRSA member school.

  • The scholarship will be awarded to one student teacher from each of the four membership regions of Wisconsin as specified in the organization’s bylaws. If any of the four scholarships are left over due to a lack of applications from a region, the next highest score(s) will be granted the remaining scholarship(s)

  • There will be no discrimination made as to this scholarship based on race, color, religion, national origin, or sex, either by WiRSA or participating member schools.

  • Each recipient will receive a one-time cash scholarship of $750 to help defray the costs of student teaching and related expenses.

  • The funds will be distributed directly to the recipient upon submittal of confirmation of student teaching placement.

  • Each university’s School of Education and WiRSA Members School is responsible for distributing to its students information pertaining to the scholarship application, rules, and guidelines.

  • Entries must be completed through the Google Form link on the WiRSA website no later than Sept 15 to be eligible for the Fall Scholarship or January 18 for the Spring Scholarship.

  • WiRSA will appoint a scholarship committee consisting of members of its board of directors to determine the scholarship winners for each region.

  • Regional winners will be notified directly by email.

  • The scholarship winners will be announced by October 1 for the Fall Scholarship and by February 9 for the Spring Scholarship.

  • All applications and essays shall be submitted to the executive director of WiRSA through a Google Form.

  • Any placement changes must be reported and may impact the award's validity.