Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Kansas Board of Regents

Description
The Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship is a merit-based, service-obligation award that helps fund undergraduate and graduate education for teachers and teacher candidates who will teach in identified hard-to-fill disciplines or underserved geographic areas in Kansas. Recipients may receive support for up to ten semesters (combined undergraduate and graduate work) and must sign an agreement to teach in Kansas for one year for each year of scholarship support. The program covers students pursuing initial teacher licensure, currently licensed teachers seeking a new endorsement in a qualifying discipline, and licensed teachers pursuing a qualifying master’s degree. Funding and recipient counts depend on state appropriations.

Key takeaways
- **Program type** – Merit-based scholarship with a signed teaching-service obligation.
- **Duration** – Eligible for up to 10 semesters (undergraduate + graduate combined).
- **Who it serves** – Initial licensure candidates, teachers seeking endorsements, and teachers pursuing qualifying master's degrees.
- **Funding dependent** – Number of awards varies by state funding.

Purpose and history of the award
The scholarship was created to address shortages of licensed, fully endorsed teachers in specific hard-to-fill subjects and in underserved Kansas school locations. It is targeted to increase the supply of classroom teachers where the state demonstrates greatest need, rather than for administrative or non-classroom specialties. The award focuses on building classroom teaching skills and increasing the number of educators available in K-12 schools across the state.

Key takeaways
- **Primary goal** – Fill teacher shortages in targeted disciplines and locations.
- **Not for non-classroom roles** – Excludes Counseling, Administration, and Library/Media Specialist programs.
- **Classroom focus required** – Eligible degrees must emphasize classroom teaching skills.

Eligibility
Applicants must be Kansas residents enrolled at a Kansas higher-education institution and meet one of three program enrollment conditions: enrolled in a program leading to initial licensure in a defined hard-to-fill discipline or to teach in an underserved area; currently licensed and pursuing a new endorsement in a qualifying discipline or underserved area; or currently licensed and pursuing a master’s degree in a qualifying discipline or underserved area. Eligible hard-to-fill disciplines for 2026–2027 are Elementary Education, English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Special Education. Underserved geographic areas include USD 501 (Topeka), USD 500 (Kansas City, KS), USD 259 (Wichita), and Kansas State Board of Education Districts 5, 7, and 9.

Key takeaways
- **Residency & enrollment** – Must be a Kansas resident and attend a Kansas institution.
- **Three paths** – Initial licensure, new endorsement, or master’s in qualifying areas.
- **2026–2027 disciplines** – Elementary, ELA, Math, Science, Special Education.
- **Underserved areas** – USD 501, 500, 259 and KS Board Districts 5, 7, 9.

How to apply (Applicant instructions)
New applicants must complete the State of Kansas Student Aid Application online (https://sfa.kansasregents.gov/login.jsp) and upload required supporting documents through the application portal. Required materials for new applicants include official college transcripts from all schools attended, at least one letter of recommendation on letterhead (academic or employment-related), and a copy of your teaching certificate if you are a currently licensed teacher. Use the “Upload Documents” button on the Scholarships screen to submit materials. Renewal applicants must complete the State application each year but generally do not re-submit supporting documents annually.

Key takeaways
- **Start online** – Apply via sfa.kansasregents.gov and upload documents there.
- **New applicant documents** – Transcripts, ≥1 letter of recommendation, and teaching certificate (if applicable).
- **Renewals** – Must reapply annually but usually don’t resubmit supporting materials.

Recipient selection and renewal rules
Award priority is given to junior and senior undergraduate students seeking licensure; freshmen and sophomores are rarely funded. Selection is merit-based and heavily influenced by cumulative college GPA—historically the average recipient GPA has been about 3.50. Recipients may enroll full-time or part-time, but must take at least three credit hours per semester and maintain satisfactory academic progress. Renewal applicants (those who received the scholarship the previous year) receive top priority but must apply every year; recipients transitioning from undergraduate to graduate study must notify the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) and may need to provide additional materials.

Key takeaways
- **Priority** – Juniors and seniors have highest priority; renewals top awarding.
- **Academic standard** – Merit-based; past recipient GPA average ~3.50.
- **Enrollment minimum** – At least 3 credit hours per semester; maintain satisfactory progress.
- **Transitioning students** – Contact KBOR when moving from undergrad to graduate study.

Award value and payment bands
The maximum annual award is $6,860 ($3,430 per semester). Semester award amounts are fixed by enrollment band and paid based on the recipient’s credit hours each semester as follows: 12+ credit hours = $3,430; 9–11 credit hours = $2,747; 6–8 credit hours = $2,058; 3–5 credit hours = $1,373. The award amount each semester is determined by the recipient’s registered credit load for that semester.

Key takeaways
- **Maximum** – $6,860 per academic year ($3,430 per semester maximum).
- **Payment bands** – 12+ = $3,430; 9–11 = $2,747; 6–8 = $2,058; 3–5 = $1,373.
- **Semester-based** – Amount paid depends on enrolled credit hours that semester.

Service obligation and repayment terms
Recipients sign a promissory agreement requiring completion of the course of instruction leading to licensure/endorsement, maintaining necessary licensure/endorsement, and beginning teaching in a qualifying hard-to-fill discipline or underserved area within six months of obtaining licensure. Teaching must be in a state-accredited public or private K-12 school on a full-time basis for a period equal to the time the scholarship was awarded; part-time teaching may count if converted to a full-time equivalency. Teaching service only counts toward the obligation after the recipient completes the degree program for which the scholarship was awarded. Failure to complete the degree or to fulfill the teaching obligation triggers repayment of scholarship funds plus accrued interest at 5%.

Key takeaways
- **Obligation start** – Teaching obligation begins after degree completion.
- **Service requirement** – One year of teaching for each scholarship year received (full-time equivalency allowed).
- **Timing** – Must begin teaching within six months of licensure.
- **Repayment** – Failure to fulfill terms = repay award + 5% interest.

Exclusions and additional notes
This scholarship does not support degrees whose primary focus is Counseling, Administration, or Library/Media Specialist roles, and eligible programs must emphasize classroom teaching. Funds are limited and awards depend on legislative appropriations; therefore, availability varies year to year. Applicants should watch the state application portal for current instructions and program updates and contact KBOR if program status changes (for example, transitioning to graduate study).

Key takeaways
- **Not eligible** – Counseling, Administration, and Library/Media Specialist degrees.
- **Classroom emphasis required** – Degree programs must develop classroom teaching skills.
- **Funding limits** – Award availability varies with state appropriations; check the portal for updates.