Scholarships & Awards

The Dr. A. William and Mrs. Kathleen Vantine Public Education Scholarship

The Dr. A. William and Mrs. Kathleen Vantine Public Education Scholarship provides one scholarship to a student accepted into an undergraduate major in childhood education, or secondary education with a preference going to a student intending to teach in a public school. The recipient must show evidence of having strong emotional intelligence and being a well-rounded individual, or knowledgeable in different subject areas, and show character traits of honesty as demonstrated through a personal statement. This scholarship is for up to four additional years as long as the recipient continues to meet all academic criteria as an accepted major in an undergraduate program in childhood education or secondary education and is in good standing.

Application Process: CAPS

Alice Stielow Wehrung Schmidt '41 Endowed Scholarship in Elementary Education

he Alice Stielow Wehrung Schmidt scholarship is named in honor of Alice Stielow Wehrung Schmidt, a lifetime member of the Buffalo State Alumni Association. This scholarship is available to one student majoring in elementary education, with a minimum major GPA of 3.0 or higher, and have a FAFSA on file with the Financial Aid Office. The scholarship is not renewable.

Application Process: CAPS

Anna Mae Murphy Elementary Education Scholarship

The Anna Mae Murphy Elementary Education Scholarship is available to those with declared major in Childhood Education, Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood and Childhood Education, Exceptional Education and Childhood Education, with a minimum 3.0 GPA, completed FAFSA on file, and working toward initial teacher certification either through the Bachelor of Science degree of the Master of Science with initial teaching certification degree (MIITC). This scholarship is not renewable, however previous recipients may reapply each year and be selected again if considered the best candidate by the selection committee.

Application Process: CAPS

Capella Bard School of Education Scholarship in Applied Literacy

The Capella Bard award is to support students with a declared major that includes the promotion of applied literacy, including students with a declared major in Elementary Education, Literacy, and Educational Leadership (undergraduate, graduate, or certificate of advanced studies), the Exceptional Education department, working toward a master's degree in education in the Speech Language-Pathology department, or a declared major in English Education.

Application Process: CAPS

Caryl Brennan Forrest Scholarship

The Caryl Brennan Forrest Scholarship is available to a full-time incoming first year student at Buffalo State who plans to pursue an undergraduate degree in elementary education through the Elementary Education, Literacy, and Educational Leadership Department. This scholarship is renewable for up to 4 years total provided recipient maintains 3.0 GPA.

Application Process: CAPS

Circle of Excellence Award

The Circle of Excellence award is for childhood, early childhood and combined majors who are in their last semester and have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better. Candidates should apply in their last semester and must be student teaching at the time of application. Application deadlines are February 28 and October 25.

Dewayne A. Beery and Cynthia Steiger Beery Graduate Scholarship in Childhood Education

Provides one scholarship annually to a student enrolled as a MIITC (Master including Initial Teacher Certification) student in the Childhood Education Initial (CEI) Program, have a science and/or physics background, have financial need as determined by the Financial Aid Office, and be in good academic standing.  This scholarship does not automatically renew; however, students may reapply and receive more than once if selected by the committee.

Application Process: CAPS

Dewayne A. Beery and Cynthia Steiger Beery Scholarship in Childhood Education

Lenore Levy Exemplary Performance in an Urban/High Needs School

The Lenore Levy award is given to a student teacher who shows the special skills and disposition needed to be a successful teacher in an Urban or High Need School. Candidates should apply during the semester in which they are student teaching. This award is given in the fall. Application deadline is November 1.

Download Application: Lenore Levy

Leslie Day PDS Leadership Award

The Leslie Day PDS Leadership Award recognizes the contribution of a PDS Student Representative to the consortium and teacher education at Buffalo State. Recipients are selected based on their ability to articulate the PDS mission while demonstrating the ability to represent the needs and concerns of their fellow teacher candidates. Applicants must have served as role models and mentors in addition to designing, conducting, and presenting research at local and national PDS conferences. This award is given to one PDS Student Representative annually.

Download Application: Leslie Day

Lois W. Pearson ’51, 55 and Marion H. Benz ’66 Scholarship

The Lois W. Pearson ’51, 55 and Marion H. Benz ’66 scholarship is available to incoming freshman students majoring in elementary education. Candidates must declare and maintain majors in elementary education, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, demonstrate financial need by filing the current FAFSA form, and demonstrate care and compassion for family or friends that promotes the respect and worth of humanity. The scholarship is renewable for up to four additional years provided recipients meet the stated criteria. The amount at which the scholarship renews may vary year to year based on funding available.

Application Process: CAPS

Dr. Marion H. Benz Elementary Education Scholarship

The Dr. Marion H. Benz Elementary Education Scholarship Fund provides one scholarship annually to a student with a declared major in the Elementary Education, Literacy, and Educational Leadership Department. Successful applicant must be enrolled full time (12+ credit hours), be pursuing a major within the Elementary Education, Literacy, and Educational Leadership Department, be a junior or senior when the scholarship is awarded, have a GPA of 3.2 or higher. Preference given to students 24 years or older. This scholarship is renewable for one additional year if the recipient still meets awarding criteria. 

Application Process: CAPS

Norma Munger Sutter Award

The Norma Munger Sutter Award is given to a teacher candidate who has shown exceptional talent in student teaching. Throughout her 36 years in education, Mrs. Sutter found that successful delivery of education to young children is a unique talent. She wanted to recognize teacher candidates with this unique talent. This award has both a spring and a fall recipient. Candidates should apply during the semester in which they are student teaching. Application deadlines are November 1 and April 1.

Download Application: Norma Munger Sutter

Shirley Spriegel Award

Ms. Shirley Spreigel was a long time supervisor of student teachers at Buffalo State. This award is given to a masters level MIITC student who is earning initial certification in elementary education. Applicants must have a letter of endorsement from a Student Teaching Supervisor and should apply during the semester in which they are student teaching. Fall awards have a deadline of November 1. Spring awards have a deadline of April 1.

Download Application: Shirley Spriegel