Scholarships and Awards Directory

This directory page provides details and eligibility requirements for scholarships and awards offered to students in the Graduate School of Education (GSE).

See the scholarship information page for general information about the application process for GSE scholarships.

Applications for the 2009-2010 academic year are available on the Scholar X Website.

Deadlines: All applications are due 10 April, 2009 unless otherwise notified.

Short Listing of Scholarships and Awards:

Click the name of the scholarship to see more detailed criteria and award information below.

Detailed Descriptions:

Ames Scholars in the Graduate School of Education

Barbara and Gary Ames have established the Ames Scholarship Program to award annual scholarships for students admitted into programs preparing them for careers in education. Both are PSU alums, Barbara with a degree in elementary education and Gary with a degree in Business Administration. The award is merit-based with financial need a consideration. There are usually 5 annual awards of approximately $5,000 to be applied toward tuition.

Eligibility:

  • You are admitted into a GSE program preparing for a career in education.
  • You have in-depth multicultural experience.
  • You will not be receiving tuition remission from any source (i.e. graduate assistantship, Laurels, etc.) during the scholarship award time period.

Alex Benenson Scholarship

Alex Benenson has been a friend of the Graduate School of Education since 2000 when he began a memorial five-year scholarship program. Beginning in 2006, he established the Benenson Scholarships for GSE students who are preparing to be K-12 teachers or school counselors. Financial need is a consideration. The annual amount of this award is approximately $1,000.

Eligibility:

  • You are admitted into K-12 teacher education or a school counseling program.

Nancy Benson Scholarship

Nancy Benson, an EdD alumna, retired as Professor Emerita in 2003 after many years on the special education faculty. She began the Inclusive Elementary Educator program -- a two year preparation program where students receive licensure in both elementary education and special education -- which remains a model for preparing educators to work with all students. Upon her retirement, former and current students, faculty, and other colleagues made gifts to establish a scholarship in her name which she has chosen to continue. Financial need is a consideration. The annual amount of the award is approximately $2000.

Eligibility:

  • You are admitted to the Elementary Inclusion program.

Capps Family Scholarship

Roger and Jan Capps are devoted supporters of Portland State University. Roger, an elementary education alum, taught at Boise elementary before becoming a principal in the North Clackamas School District. He has chaired the Alumni Board and served on the PSU Advocates Board. Both Capps are avid fans of Portland State Athletics. Financial need is a consideration. The annual amount of this award is approximately $1,000.

Eligibility:

  • You are admitted to a program preparing for licensure to teach elementary education.
  • Preference is given to students who plan to teach in an inner-city school.

Elva Coombs Endowed Scholarship

Elva Coombs taught physical education in Tigard Schools and provided exemplary leadership furthering professional development in that field. The Coombs family established the Elva Coombs Endowed Scholarship in her memory as recognition of her work, and in the continuing belief that teaching physical education in schools is important. The Coombs Scholarship provides financial assistance for students in the GSE, or other PSU program, committed to furthering physical education or sports medicine in K-12 schools. The award is merit-based with financial need a consideration. The annual amount of this award is approximately $800.

Eligibility:

  • You are a female preparing for licensure to teach physical education, preferably at the high school level.
  • Preference is given to students with a historical connection to Tigard Schools.

Janette Drew Endowed Scholarship

Janette Drew established the Drew Scholarship in 1993 for students preparing to become teachers through the PSU Graduate Teacher Education Program (GTEP). The scholarship, now endowed, was established to assist meritorious candidates who would not be able to complete the program without undue financial hardship. The last Mrs. Drew earned her teaching credential from the University of Oregon at a time when there were no teaching positions available. She worked for the Oregonian, married and did not pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. There are approximately 8-14 annual awards of $2,500 to $5,000.

Eligibility:

  • You are or will be admitted to the Graduate Teacher Education Program (GTEP), the Bilingual Teacher Pathway Program (BTP), or Elementary or Secondary Inclusion Programs (IEEP or SDEP).
  • You have prior and/or ongoing experience in community service and/or leadership.
  • Preference for those who have community service experience in the greater Portland Metropolitan area.

The Phyllis Edmundson Honorary Scholarship

Awarded to any student admitted to the GSE. Up to two scholarships of $1,000 each are awarded each year.

Eligibility:

  • You are admitted to a GSE program.

Michael and Marjorie Fiasca Endowed Scholarship

Michael and Marjorie Fiasca have established a scholarship endowment for students preparing to teach physical and natural science in Oregon schools. Michael, a Professor Emeritus in Education, began his career teaching high school physics. He taught science and science education at PSU from 1961 through 1988. The award is merit-based with financial need a consideration. This is an annual award of approximately $1,000.

Eligibility:

  • You are in a GSE program preparing for licensure to teach physical or natural sciences in grades 5-12.
  • Preference is given to students who plan to teach in Oregon.

Founders Endowment in Special Education

The founders of the Special Education Program at Portland State University have established a scholarship endowment to enable promising students interested in special education to access graduate education. It is their intent that these scholarships will carry on the program's legacy of preparing outstanding teachers to meet the educational needs of children, youth, and young adults with disabilities. It has been supported by education alumni, founders Keith Larson, Steve Brannan, Jean Edwards, and others whose lives have been touched by the work of special educators. The award is merit-based with financial need a consideration. The annual amount of the award is $500-$800.

Eligibility:

  • You are or will be admitted to a GSE program preparing for a teaching career in special education.
  • Preference will be given to applicants who have related practical experience (e.g. counselor at Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp or other experience).

"Friends of the Graduate School of Education" Scholarship

A volunteer group supporting the work of the GSE, the "Friends" have established scholarships for students admitted into programs preparing them for teaching in areas of teacher shortages. The award is merit-based with financial need a consideration. The annual amount of the award(s) is approximately $1,000.

Eligibility:

  • You are or will be admitted to a GSE program preparing to teach middle school, math or science, bilingual/ESL, or special education including dual inclusion.
  • Preference is given to applicants with multicultural experience who intend to teach in high need and/or challenging school settings.

Norbert Gilles Scholarship

The Norbert Gilles Scholarship Fund was established by an endowment gift from the Norbert Gilles Foundation to be used for scholarships in Special Education at PSU for the preparation of teachers of handicapped children and youth. Dr. Richard Sonnen, nephew of Mr. Gilles, is a Professor Emeritus of Special Education at PSU and helped make this gift possible. Financial need is a consideration. The annual amount of this award is approximately $1,000.

Eligibility:

  • You have been admitted to a GSE special education program.

Graduate School of Education Scholarship

The GSE offers scholarships to assist academically able candidates in the completion of their program of study. Funds accumulate from many gifts to the School targeted for scholarships. The award is merit-based with financial need a consideration. The annual amount of this award is approximately $1,000.

Eligibility:

  • You have been admitted to any GSE program.

Eleanor Hardt Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Teacher Education

Eleanor Hardt was passionate about education. She taught grades 2-8, served as the Social Studies Specialist (K-12) for Portland Public Schools during most of her career, and was actively involved in curriculum development and teacher in-service training. She taught education methods classes in the GSE at PSU and supervised student teachers after her retirement from PPS. Her family established this endowed scholarship in her memory, to be granted to a returning female student interested in pursuing a teaching career. The award is merit-based with financial need a consideration. The annual amount of the award(s) is approximately $1,000.

Eligibility:

  • You are in a teacher preparation program (GTEP or MA/MS in C & I).
  • You are a female returning to college after the absence of several years.
  • You demonstrate outstanding potential and commitment to teaching.

Jorgensen Family Endowed Scholarship

Hal Jorgensen retired as Professor Emeritus after more than 20 years in the School of Education, including a year as Interim Dean. He prepared teachers in elementary school science. He has established the Jorgensen Family Endowed Scholarship to assist a student preparing to teach in elementary school. Financial need is a consideration. The annual amount of this award is approximately $1,500.

Eligibility:

  • You have been admitted to a GSE program preparing to teach at the elementary level.

Joe Kaplan Scholarship

Joe Kaplan retired as Professor Emeritus in 2003 after more than 20 years on the special education faculty focusing on preparing teachers to work with students with behavioral problems. He has established this scholarship to assist a special education student. Financial need is a consideration. The annual amount of this award is approximately $1,000.

Eligibility:

  • You have been admitted into a GSE special education program.

Sandy Kaplan Scholarship

Sandy Kaplan, spouse of Professor Emeritus Joe Kaplan until her death, was a gifted teacher in business education. She was especially effective bonding with students who were having difficulties and who were second language learners. Joe Kaplan established this scholarship in her memory. Financial need is a consideration. The annual amount of this award is approximately $1,000.

Eligibility:

  • You have been admitted to a GSE teacher preparation program.
  • You have multicultural experience (work, volunteering, family, etc.).
  • Preference is given to applicants who want to work with students whose first language is not English.

Barbara Ann Kisinger Scholarship

Barbara Ann Kisinger was a 1966 alumna of Portland State who taught elementary school in Tualatin and then Boise, Idaho, until the early 1990's. Her daughter and son-in-law have established this scholarship to extend Barbara Ann's memory and legacy -- one of caring deeply about her students and their futures. Financial need is a consideration. The award given in 2008 and 2009 will be $1,000 each year.

Eligibility:

  • You have been admitted to a GSE teacher preparation program with a career focus on elementary education.
  • You will have either demonstrated an exceptional level of undergraduate scholarship or demonstrated professional skill and dedication to elementary education as an early career practitioner.
  • Preference is given to applicants interested in elementary art or music education.

Wayne Larson Scholarship

Wayne Larson, a 1975 Portland State graduate, left an estate gift for a needy student training in special education given "in appreciation of the superior special education program effectively carried on by Portland State University to which I have been a beneficiary." Mr. Larson himself was blind. Financial need is a consideration. The annual amount of this award is approximately $1,200.

Eligibility:

  • You have been admitted to a GSE special education program.

Sheldon Maron Endowed Scholarship

Sheldon Maron was a professor of special education at PSU from 1978 until his death in 2000. He specialized in the education of visually impaired children as well as early childhood special education. This endowment as established in cooperation with his family so that family, colleagues, and friends could memorialize his work through a named scholarship. Financial need is a consideration. The annual amount of this award is approximately $1,000.

Eligibility:

  • You have been admitted to a GSE special education program.
  • Preference is given for applicants preparing to work with the vision impaired.

McBride Scholarship

This scholarship was created in honor of Stephanie McBride, a former instructor in the Graduate Teacher Education Program (GTEP) who is herself a graduate of the program. Stephanie worked tirelessly to create and shape the Secondary Dual Educator Program before her retirement. Her colleagues chose to honor her hard work by creating this scholarship in her name.

Eligibility:

  • You have been admitted to the Secondary Dual Educator Program (SDEP).
  • You have financial need.

Keith & Paula Stanovich Scholarship

Professor Paula Stanovich leads the Inclusive Elementary Educators program in the Department of Special Education. She came to Portland State in 2003 with experience as a former elementary teacher, professor, and researcher. Her husband, Keith, is a renowned educator. They have adopted Portland State as their own and are avid Viking sports fans. They have established this scholarship to support students in Elementary Inclusion. Financial need is a consideration. The award offered in alternate years is approximately $1,500.

Eligibility:

  • You have been admitted to the Inclusive Elementary Educators Program.

Art Terry Scholar's Fund

Art Terry was a counselor education professor at PSU until his death in 1994. He specialized in career and lifestyle planning. The faculty and staff established this fund in his memory so that his colleagues, alumni, and friends could make annual gifts for awards supporting students. Financial need is a consideration. The annual amount of this award is approximately $1,000.

Eligibility:

  • You have been admitted to a GSE counselor education program.

Fred Thompson Scholarship

Fred K. Thompson left a bequest to Portland State University to provide scholarships for students in the field of education who need financial assistance and are deserving of assistance. Mr. Thompson, an exceptionally frugal man who didn't own a car or phone, was a custodian in the Portland Public Schools for 20 years. His estate was amassed through savings and from his retirement. He was a widower with no children. This is the final year for awards of approximately $1,000.

Eligibility:

  • You have been admitted to a GSE program and are preparing to work in a K-12 setting (teacher preparation or school counseling).
  • You have experience working in multicultural settings.
  • You have academic merit and maintain a 3.0 while receiving funds.

Marta and Ken Thrasher Scholarship

Marta and Ken Thrasher have established the Thrasher Scholarship program to award scholarships to students admitted to programs preparing them for teaching in areas of teacher shortages. Marta graduated from PSU with a degree in history, received her teaching license from the GSE and taught in the Portland area. Ken was a Fred Meyer executive for many years and is now CEO of Compli. This award is merit-based with financial need a consideration. There are 2-3 annual awards of approximately $2,000-$2,500.

Eligibility:

  • You have been admitted to a GSE program preparing to teach math or science, bilingual, or special education including dual inclusion.
  • Preference is given to applicants with multicultural experience who intend to teach in high need and/or challenging school settings.
  • Preference is given to applicants wanting to teach in Oregon.

Mary Elizabeth York Endowed Scholarship for Early Childhood Education

Mary E. York, Professor Emerita of Education and leader in early childhood education at PSU from 1972 through 1984, has established a scholarship endowment for students in ECE. Through her work with the Helen Gordon Child Development Center, it became recognized as an outstanding model of quality childcare and an important resource to the community. She also took an active role in raising state standards for ECE teachers. This scholarship continues her commitment to the highest professionalism in early childhood teachers. Financial need is a consideration. The annual amount of this award is approximately $500.

Eligibility:

  • You are a graduate from the PSU Child and Family Studies program who has been accepted into the GSE Graduate Teacher Education Program and committed to specialize in early childhood education.