Scholarships and College Grants for Art Education Students

Art education students can use scholarships and grants to pay for advanced education, leaving them with less student loan debt upon graduation. But what and the differences between these two sources of money? And how can you find funds to help you pay for college?

Scholarships Versus Grants

Both scholarships and grants provide money for your education that does not have to be repaid when you graduate, as is the case with student loans. Scholarships are given to students based on merit, so if you have a talent, skill or achievements, you could earn scholarships. Many scholarships are also given based on an essay you submit to the scholarship committee. At the master’s degree level, scholarships are usually called fellowships and may come attached with obligations to become a student teacher or research assistant. Grants, on the other hand, are given to students who demonstrate financial need. Some grants are available for your tuition, while other grants are available for specific research projects that you might want to pursue as you earn your master’s degree.

Art Education Scholarships

Scholarships and fellowships are available for art education students from three main sources: directly from college, from the government, and from private organizations. Scholarship availability varies from year to year, but you can start your search for scholarships with organizations that have offered them in the past, such as the National Gallery of Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Department of Education, and the Rhode Island Foundation.

Art Education Grants

Like with scholarships, grants for art education students can come from private organizations, government departments, or directly from colleges. You can start your search for grants with organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts, the Dana Foundation, the National Art Education Foundation, MetLife, the Getty Foundation, the Missouri Arts Council, and the California Arts Council. You can also find grants available for all students regardless of field of study, which are often more competitive but are also typically award in higher amounts.

Other Financial Aid Sources for Art Education Students

Because teachers with advanced education are in high demand in some areas, the government makes available funds to attract teachers to schools in need. If you work in one of these locations, you could be eligible to have your student loans completely repaid. In addition, if you already work in the field and want to get your master’s degree, your school district may provide funds to pay for your tuition.

Top Online Master's Degrees in Art Education & Other Humanities Subjects

Art education is the study of the visual, tangible arts, which may include painting, sculpture, drawing, design, photography, video, computer art, and more. Art education can be applied to design of commercial graphics, and interior and home furnishings. Below are the best accredited online colleges that offer graduate-level degree programs in art education or closely related subjects.

MA: Art Education	University of Nebraska at Kearney– At the University of Nebraska at Kearney, students in the MA in Education: Art Education program complete an online 36 credit hour course of study. Designed primarily for teachers, the program is also utilized by museum educators. A final project is required, and note that the degree does not grant certification to teach art in K-12 schools.
MA: Art Education	University of Florida– The University of Florida MA in Art Education is a two-year 36 credit hour program that prepares students to become advanced practitioners in art education and who hold an undergraduate degree in art education, art studio, or art history. Specializations include art advocacy, art criticism, art history, studio art, assessment and evaluation, child growth and development, and community arts.
MA: Art Education	Boston University– The Boston University online Master of Arts degree program in Art Education features a curriculum designed to guide and develop a student's passion for art education. The program provides methods that demonstrate strategies and techniques for moving art out the textbook and into the classroom.
Master of Humanities	Tiffin University– The Master of Humanities program at Tiffin University trains students to excel in the study of the arts, philosophy, literature, language, classics, religion, communications, and cultural anthropology. Courses ask the most important questions of the human race, "Why are we here?" "What is art?" "What is beauty?" "Is there one truth?" "What makes us human?"
MEd MEd: Teaching & Learning	Liberty University– Liberty University has two master programs available for a career in education. One is for teachers wishing to further their careers while the other is designed with aspiring teachers in mind. Liberty University is one of the largest online Christian colleges, with hundreds of degrees available and alumni across the nation.
MEd: Teaching & Learning	Post University– Post University provides a convenient way for working professionals to further their careers by offering a Master of Education in Teaching and Learning. This program can be completed in as little as one year, making it a fast way to pursue higher level jobs. This is a non-licensure program, and Post is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.
MA: Cultural Studies	Union Institute & University– The MA in Historical, Social and Cultural Studies at Union Institute & University is a dynamic program that focuses on the integration and interactions of peoples from around the world. Topics from the likes of the economy, the West, the East, the Soviet Union breakup, the Vietnam War, and AIDS are discussed.
MA: Interdisciplinary Studies	Western New Mexico University– The 100% online MA in Interdisciplinary Studies program at Western New Mexico University is a fully accredited, 36 credit hour course of study that offers two or three areas of concentration: Bilingual Education, Criminal Justice, Education, Elementary Education, English, History, Management Information Systems, Political Science, Psychology, Reading Education, Secondary Education, Special Education, and Writing.
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