Scholarship Information
Available Scholarships
Martinez Foundation Scholarship Award (four @ $7,500; two in the fall, and two in the spring)
Purpose of the Award: To recognize outstanding candidates from populations under-represented in educational practice and leadership who would be unable to complete a graduate program in the College of Education at Seattle University without financial support.
Criteria for Selection:
- Compatibility with the mission of College of Education: "Preparing ethical and reflective professionals for quality service in diverse communities"
- Evidence of excellence or potential for excellence in practices, scholarship, or leadership in professional education.
- Expressed commitment to the Martinez Foundation Fellowship Program.
- Evidence of membership in an under-represented group and evidence of financial need.
Background Information on the Martinez Foundation
In 2008, Edgar and Holli Martinez launched The Martinez Foundation, which strives to strengthen our communities by providing underserved populations with educational opportunities. The Martinez Foundation helps students of color become the exceptional educators and role models our communities deserve. The Martinez Foundation grants scholarships and provides support programs to students of color who are pursuing teaching careers and are committed to equity in education and giving back to their communities.
The Martinez Foundation provides four $7,500 scholarships available to teachers of color in the Master in Teaching (pre-service teacher education) program.
Students who receive the Martinez Foundation Scholarship agree to:
- Work as an educator in a Washington State public school with K-12 students, for at least 3 years, preferably longer. If the educator does not teach for a minimum of 3 years, s/he will pay the scholarship back in its entirety.
- Work as an educator in a Washington State public school, in a high-need area, K-12. Fellows will help children in need and focus on closing the achievement gap. High need subject areas are special education, math, and science. High need schools are those with free and reduced lunch of 50% or greater.
- Attend and participate in the annual Martinez Foundation Fellows retreat. For first year Fellows, attendance is mandatory; however, attendance in the second year and beyond is voluntary. The foundation would greatly appreciate attendance in subsequent years.
- Participate in foundation surveys and/or research inquiries to help the Foundation learn more about teacher education, teacher effectiveness, and how to shape the Fellowship program to recruit and retain future students.
- Participate in seminars, occurring 4-6 times a year, on Saturdays spread over the school year.
- Give permission to the Foundation to promote them as award recipients with their name and biography on Martinez Foundation and College of Education website, press releases, print brochures, and by introducing them at events to which awardees are invited and available to attend.
- Give permission to the Martinez Foundation film them during the program, as deemed appropriate, for educational/promotional videos and allow such videos to be available on the Foundation and College website.
- Meet with Edgar and Holli Martinez (and occasionally, other Foundation supporters) to share the teacher education experience and express appreciation to the Fellowship donors. Often the foundation will host events or gatherings where donors are interested in meeting Martinez Fellows and learning more about their focus and direction in the public school system.
Diversity Scholarship Award (three @ $14, 400)
Purpose of the Award: To recognize outstanding candidates from populations under-represented in educational practice and leadership who would be unable to complete a graduate program in the College of Education at Seattle University without financial support.
Criteria for Selection:
- Compatibility with the mission of College of Education: "Preparing ethical and reflective professionals for quality service in diverse communities"
- Evidence of excellence or potential for excellence in practices, scholarship, or leadership in professional education.
- Evidence of membership in an under-represented group and evidence of financial need.
MIT Alumni Leadership Scholarship (awards vary based on donations, generally six @ $2,500)
Purpose of these Awards: To recognize outstanding candidates who have financial need.
Criteria for Selection:
Compatibility with the mission of College of Education: "Preparing ethical and reflective professionals for quality service in diverse communities"
A statement of professional goals
Evidence of financial need
The Boeing Scholarship for Diversity in Education (amount varies)
Purpose of the Award: To recognize outstanding candidates who desire to teach math and/or science in K-12. Preference is given to under-represented populations in teaching.
Criteria for Selection:
Compatibility with the mission of College of Education: "Preparing ethical and reflective professionals for quality service in diverse communities"
A statement of professional goals
Evidence of financial need
How to Apply
Scholarship applications for Fall start are due February 1st; for Spring start they are due October 1st. These deadlines are the same as the application deadline, but scholarship applications should be submitted separately to the address below.
Mail scholarship application materials to: Margit McGuire, College of Education, Seattle University, 901 12th Avenue, PO Box 222000, Seattle, WA 98122. All scholarship applicants must send in the following:
The completed Application Form
The Statement of Financial Need
A copy of the first page of last year’s Income Tax return.
(Optional) You may include a separate page describing your financial situation or any special circumstances that you would like the MIT Program to consider in evaluating your need for financial assistance.
A statement documenting how you meet the criteria for the scholarship for which you are applying. (Two pages maximum, double-spaced.)
For further information about College of Education scholarships and other financial support available, click here.