School of Education Scholarships

The Noyce Scholars program at Drake supports high-achieving students who are passionate about STEM and committed to making a difference by teaching in high-need secondary schools across the United States.

Program Specifics and Requirements

• Undergraduate juniors and seniors may apply to receive $15,000 in scholarships for up to two years to help complete their STEM degree alongside the education courses and experiences required for teaching licensure.
• Recipients must be earning or must hold a baccalaureate degree in a STEM discipline, including engineering, accounting, or computer science. Bachelor's degrees in chemistry, physics, computer science, data analytics, or mathematics are preferred. Degrees in medicine, nursing, and allied health are not eligible.
• Recipients must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale on all undergraduate work from an accredited institution.
• Recipients must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent resident aliens, as specified by the National Science Foundation.
• Applicants must provide two references who can speak to their demonstrated abilities as a STEM learner and/or their emerging commitment to teaching.
• Final acceptance into the Noyce Scholars program is contingent upon full admittance to Drake's School of Education, review of official transcripts and letters of recommendation, and confirmation of a qualifying STEM degree.
• All scholarship and stipend recipients must commit to teaching for two years in high-need schools for every year of Noyce funding received. High-need schools span a wide range of districts from urban to rural, and recipients may pursue positions throughout the United States upon graduation and licensure.
• For more information about Noyce@Drake, officially titled Improving Secondary Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Computer Science Teacher Preparation through a sequence of Active Teaching Experiences, contact Drake's School of Education.

The National Rehabilitation Institute at Drake University was awarded a grant in 2019 from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), part of the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services, to provide grant opportunities for undergraduate students pursuing a degree in Disability and Rehabilitation Services.

Designed to support future rehabilitation professionals, the RSA Grant can cover up to 100% of tuition costs and includes a small stipend each semester to help offset the cost of textbooks and related educational expenses. This financial support allows students to focus on developing the knowledge and skills needed to serve individuals with disabilities while reducing the burden of graduate education costs.

What the Grant Provides

The RSA Grant can cover:

• Tuition assistance for the 49-credit hour major
• A small stipend to help offset textbook expenses

The amount you receive is based on the number of major credit hours you are enrolled in each semester.

Beyond financial assistance, the grant provides a clear pathway into the rehabilitation counseling profession. Grant recipients commit to working a specified number of years in an approved rehabilitation or disability services setting (such as state vocational rehabilitation agencies, veterans' administration programs, nonprofit disability services organizations, and community rehabilitation programs) after graduation.

How It Works: A Grant You "Pay Back" Through Your Career

For every 10 hours of tuition assistance a scholar receives, they agree to work for 1 year in an appropriate setting after graduation. For students who receive funding for all 49 credit hours, they would be expected to work 4 years and 11 months in an appropriate setting.

The good news? If you do what you're already planning to do — build a career serving people with disabilities—the grant is completely forgiven. You never pay a cent back.

If, however, you choose not to work in an eligible setting after graduation, you would be required to repay the grant funds to RSA. We share this clearly upfront so you can make an informed, confident decision.

The RSA Grant is an investment in both students and the future of the rehabilitation workforce. By helping cover educational expenses and connecting graduates with rewarding career opportunities, the grant supports students who are committed to empowering individuals with disabilities to achieve greater independence, participation, and quality of life.

Why This Opportunity Matters

The disability services field faces a growing workforce shortage. Professionals like you—compassionate, trained, and ready to serve—are urgently needed in communities across the country. This grant exists because RSA believes in investing in people who are committed to that mission.

By accepting this grant, you're not just funding your education. You're joining a community of professionals dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities to reach their full potential.

Ready to Learn More?

If you're excited about this opportunity and want to find out if you qualify, we'd love to connect with you. Dr. Matt Bruinekool (matt.bruinekool@drake.edu) is the Director of the National Rehabilitation Institute at Drake and is the Project Director on the grant. He and his team can answer all your questions about how the grant and payback work, available funding, and types of employment that meet the work payback requirements after graduation.

Funded by Susan J. Breakenridge, this scholarship supports current employees of Des Moines Public Schools enrolled in the 3D program. The award amount varies by student based on the demonstrated financial need as determined by a FAFSA.

Program Specifics and Requirements

• Open to current Des Moines Public Schools employees enrolled in the 3D program.
• Awarded automatically to students who demonstrate financial need.

Franson Scholars, funded by Tim Franson in honor of Christine Franson, supports student(s) pursuing education licensure who hold a leadership role within Drake or the Des Moines community. The Franson Endowed Scholarship award amount varies from year to year based on endowment earnings.

Program Specifics and Requirements

• Open to undergraduate students pursuing education licensure with demonstrated campus or community leadership.
• Awarded through an application process.
• Renewable.

Funded by Joan Huber Gerling, this scholarship financially supports students pursuing coursework in education and preparing to receive their initial teaching license. The Joan Huber Gerling Endowed Scholarship award amount varies from year to year based on endowment earnings./p>

Program Specifics and Requirements

• Open to both undergraduate and graduate students preparing for initial teacher licensure.

Funded by a gift from Lyle and Joan Middleton, this fund supports the development of an Urban Education Program in the School of Education. The Middleton Urban Education award amount varies from year to year based on funding.

Program Specifics and Requirements

• May be automatically awarded to students in the 3D program.
• May be automatically awarded to an undergraduate student at the time of admission.

Funded by the Donald Shaw family, this scholarship supports School of Education students majoring in education with a concentration in science, math, or STEM. The Donald D. Shaw Family Scholarship for Future STEM Educators award amount varies from year to year based on funding.

Program Specifics and Requirements

• Open to School of Education students concentrating in science, math, or STEM.
• May be automatically awarded to a qualified undergraduate student at the time of admission.

Funded by a gift from the Okoboji Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, this scholarship supports undergraduate or graduate students majoring in teaching, counseling, educational leadership, or organizational leadership. Recipients are identified as Goodenow Scholars. The Goodenow Scholarship award amount varies each year.

Program Specifics and Requirements

• Open to undergraduate or graduate students in teaching, counseling, educational leadership, or organizational leadership.
• First preference given to high-need undergraduate students.
• Awarded automatically to eligible high-need undergraduate students.

The Noyce Scholars program at Drake supports high-achieving students who are passionate about STEM and committed to making a difference by teaching in high-need secondary schools across the United States.

Program Specifics and Requirements

• Graduate students with a bachelor's degree in a STEM field may apply to receive $27,000 in stipends to pursue a master's degree in education leading to teaching licensure.
• Recipients must be earning or must hold a baccalaureate degree in a STEM discipline, including engineering, accounting, or computer science. Bachelor's degrees in chemistry, physics, computer science, data analytics, or mathematics are preferred. Degrees in medicine, nursing, and allied health are not eligible.
• Recipients must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale on all undergraduate work from an accredited institution.
• Recipients must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent resident aliens, as specified by the National Science Foundation.
• Applicants must provide two references who can speak to their demonstrated abilities as a STEM learner and/or their emerging commitment to teaching.
• Final acceptance into the Noyce Scholars program is contingent upon full admittance to Drake's School of Education, review of official transcripts and letters of recommendation, and confirmation of a qualifying STEM degree.
• All scholarship and stipend recipients must commit to teaching for two years in high-need schools for every year of Noyce funding received. High-need schools span a wide range of districts from urban to rural, and recipients may pursue positions throughout the United States upon graduation and licensure.
• For more information about Noyce@Drake, officially titled Improving Secondary Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Computer Science Teacher Preparation through a sequence of Active Teaching Experiences, contact Drake's School of Education.

Funded by Jeanyce Forsyth in honor of James E. Forsyth, this scholarship supports a student entering the counseling field. The Forsyth Memorial Scholarship award amounts vary.

Program Specifics and Requirements

• Open to students pursuing a master's in counseling with a specialization in elementary or secondary school counseling.
• Multiple scholarships may be awarded each year.

Funded by the estate of Dolores A. Nesbit, this scholarship supports graduate students pursuing a master's in counseling with a specialization in secondary school counseling. The award amount varies and is expected to cover approximately 50% of tuition costs.

Program Specifics and Requirements

• Open to graduate students in the secondary school counseling specialization.
• Application windows open in both fall and spring.
• Multiple scholarships may be awarded each year.

Supports graduate students pursuing the field of Special Education. The Borger Memorial Scholarship award amount varies per year.

Program Specifics and Requirements

• Open to graduate students in Special Education.

Funded by the Rummel Trust to honor Harley M. and Zoe Rummel, this scholarship supports students enrolled in a master's program specializing in Special Education. The Rummel Memorial Scholarship award amount varies per year.

Program Specifics and Requirements

• Open to students in a master's program specializing in Special Education.

Funded by Dr. George F. Garcia, this scholarship supports students within the School of Education's Department of Educational Leadership. The Garcia Endowed Scholarship award amount varies from year to year based on funding.

Program Specifics and Requirements

• Open to students from an underrepresented group (women, African American, Latino, Native American, or Asian American).
• Recipients must be pursuing a Ph.D., Ed.D., or Ed.S., along with K-12 superintendent licensure.

Established in honor of Betty Huffman, this fund supports doctoral student research conducted as part of a doctoral degree program. The Huffman Doctoral Research Fund award amount varies each year based on funding.

Program Specifics and Requirements

• Open to students conducting research within a doctoral degree program.
• Awarded through an application process coordinated by the director of the doctoral program.
• Applications are reviewed twice annually.

Funded by a gift from the Okoboji Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, this scholarship supports undergraduate or graduate students majoring in teaching, counseling, educational leadership, or organizational leadership. Recipients are identified as Goodenow Scholars. The Goodenow Scholarship award amount varies each year.

Program Specifics and Requirements

• Open to undergraduate or graduate students in teaching, counseling, educational leadership, or organizational leadership.
• First preference given to high-need undergraduate students.
• Awarded automatically to eligible high-need undergraduate students.

Funded by Timothy J. Urban and Thomas N. Urban, Jr., this scholarship supports a minority student seeking a graduate or other advanced degree from Drake. The Nelson Urban Endowed Scholarship award amount varies each year.

Program Specifics and Requirements

• Open to minority students pursuing a graduate or other advanced degree.
• Recipients must demonstrate intent and capacity to pursue a career working with at-risk children in education, psychology, social services, or law.

• Dorothy A Dawson Scholarship
• Mary Will Dunkle Scholarship
• Judith Johnson Scholarship
• Jeanette Donaldson Burbidge Scholarship
• Gladys Fritsch Davis Scholarship
• General Education Scholarship
• Robert and Carol Evans Scholarship
• Worth and Rena Fee Scholarship
• Hearst Foundation Scholarship
• Ailene Horst Liechty Scholarship
• Susan P. Johnson-Lipman Endowed Scholarship Fund
• Boyd and Patricia Nansel Endowed Scholarship Fund
• Margie and Dean Rowland Scholarship
• Dr. Rowley Restricted Memorial Scholarship
• Schaeffer-Henderson-Huffman Scholarship
• A. Nelle Schalk Scholarship
• Dr. Merlin L. Scholl Scholarship
• Sheker Family Scholarship
• Hazel Weakley Scholarship

Examples of how the existing funds are being utilized include:

• Professional development for faculty
• Doctoral research support
• Curriculum development
• Symposiums related to Special Education
• Events encouraging Des Moines youth to consider a teaching career

Identified here is a list of current funds that support our work in the School of Education.

• Mary Collier Baker Chair Fund
• James Morrison Collier School of Education Faculty Development Fund
• Anna Mae Heaps Endowed Faculty Development Fund
• Betty J. Huffman Endowed Doctoral Research Fund
• Irene Ellis McBurney Fund
• James McMahon Institute Fund
• Willie Mary Ramsey Fund
• Schott Family Endowment Fund
• Urban Education Program Endowed Fund
• Betty Mell Wood and Clayton D. Wood Dean's Excellence Fund