Master of Education Scholarship & Financial Aid

Most students need financial assistance to fund a graduate education. There are some scholarships and grants available for graduate education, however most graduate students borrow money to help pay for their education.

We're here to help walk you through this process. Here are some recommended resources for funding your graduate education.

Rockhurst University's Department of Elementrary and Secondary Education (DESE) Scholarship – $10,000

Rockhurst University will award one $10,000 scholarship for the Master of Education with initial certification programs. This scholarship is allocated in $2,000 increments over 5 semesters (Summer 2022 through Fall 2023). Funding for this scholarship is provided by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to support recruitment of new teachers.

Cost of Education

Students will need funds each year to cover the total cost of education - the sum of tuition and fees, plus an estimate for books, room and board, transportation and personal living expenses. Although it is possible to borrow up to the cost of education, we strongly encourage you to borrow only as much as you need to fund your education to minimize extra debt.

Student Loans

Graduate students typically borrow money to support their education through the federal Stafford loan program and the federal GradPLUS loan program.

You can borrow up to $20,500 per year through the Stafford program, as long as you are enrolled at least half-time (4.5 hours). Since this is less than the total cost of education, most students also borrow additional money from the GradPLUS program.

Money borrowed through the Stafford program is loaned at fairly low interest rates. Interest begins accruing while the student is in school, but student is not responsible for paying any of the loan or interest back until after graduation.

Loans through the GradPLUS program are similar in that they have fairly low interest rates and accrue interest without an obligation to begin repayment until after graduation.

The Stafford program used to differentiate between "subsidized" and "unsubsidized" loans. Subsidized loans did not accrue interest while the student was in school. However, the federal government recently eliminated the Stafford subsidies, so all Stafford loans now accrue interest while the student is in school.

To track loan information, sign electronic authorization forms, access loan counseling, payment calculators and more, visit studentaid.gov.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

If you’ve never applied for financial aid before, you’ll need to submit a FAFSA so that Rockhurst can verify that you are eligible for financial aid. Start the process at fafsa.ed.gov.

Financial aid for your first semester at Rockhurst will be covered by the previous year's FAFSA, while financial aid for fall, spring and summer semesters will be covered by the current year's FAFSA.

K-12 Faith-Based Educator Discount

Educators employed at faith-based schools serving grades K through 12 within 100 miles of Kansas City are eligible for a discounted M.Ed. tuition rate of $335/credit hour.

External Scholarships

FastWEB (Financial Aid Search Through the Web) is the largest and most complete online scholarship search. It provides free access to a searchable database of more than 400,000 private sector scholarships, fellowships, grants and student loans. You're encouraged to seek scholarship funds from outside of Rockhurst.

Teach KC

Looking for Financial Aid and Application Support?

Our friends at TEACH Kansas City have financial aid as well as resources to make applying to our Masters of Education program with initial teacher certification—and becoming a classroom teacher—easier! Create an account today and immediately access:

-An interactive application checklist to keep you on track.

-$100 fee reimbursement towards application and testing expenses.

-1-on-1 expert advice for any question along the way.

-How-to guides for eligibility, applications, testing and finances.

-A chance to win a $1,000 scholarship toward tuition.

Sign up today!

Plan Ahead

You're encouraged to take out as little financial aid as possible since you’ll eventually pay it all back with interest. Think ahead about how much you will have to budget each month after graduation to make loan payments.

View the Scholarship & Award Guidelines and Satisfactory Academic Progress guides for the criteria needed for renewing federal, state and institutional awards.