A fellowship is funded short-term employment, normally ranging from one to three years, offered to students or scholars who are studying in a certain field. Funds are normally awarded by educational institutions, such as universities, to individuals who have excelled professionally or academically. An education fellowship is awarded to graduate students who are studying to become education professionals. To get an education fellowship, it can be helpful to first research opportunities made available by the school where you are studying and by other organizations that focus on educational issues. It is also important to make sure that you are qualified to apply for a fellowship and to prepare required application materials.
A number of education fellowship opportunities are offered by graduate programs. Others may be offered by non-profit organizations and foundations that specialize in services such as providing education to underprivileged communities. To find lists of fellowships, it can be a good idea to consult school advisers who may have access to valuable databases. The Internet, bookstores, and libraries may also include helpful information.
Once you have found a list of promising fellowships, you can narrow it down by choosing only those for which you are qualified to apply. Common requirements for education fellowships are minimum grade point averages, letters of recommendations, levels of education or years of professional experience, and academic focus. Some fellowships may be only for students who want to teach in urban areas, while others might be for individuals who are interested in working with children of special needs. In other words, it is important to match your own interests with the focus of a fellowship.
When you have found at least one education fellowship that you feel you are qualified for, it is a good idea to pay close attention to instructions, guidelines, and deadlines. Most fellowship applications include statement of purpose and personal essays, as well as curricula vitae or resumes. It can be helpful to tailor your essay to fit the needs of a fellowship. For example, if a fellowship description reads that a board hopes to fund students who use innovative teaching strategies, you should write about your own innovations to show that you are a good candidate for the award.
Paying attention to details when you are submitting education fellowship application materials can be crucial. Factors such as deadlines and methods of submission should normally be stuck to as closely as possible. If you find that you are unable to meet a deadline or cannot make your submission in the preferred fashion, it is advisable to contact a relevant authority for guidance.
