2026 – 2027 AMS Teacher Education Scholarship Application

AMS provides partial scholarships for adult learners newly accepted into or already enrolled in AMS-affiliated teacher education programs. These scholarships help increase the number of AMS-credentialed Montessori classroom teachers. Applicants are considered based on official verification of acceptance to the program, financial need, a compelling personal statement, and two letters of recommendation.

To be considered for a scholarship award, complete online applications (including all enclosures) must be received by March 31, 2026, at 11:59 pm (ET). Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Scholarship recipients will be informed by email by the second week of June 2026.

You will be asked to share the following to complete the application:

1. Applicant information
2. Personal statement (up to 1000 words)
3. Current Resume
4. Name and email of teacher education program director where you have been accepted or are enrolled.
5. Most recent tax documentation
6. Name and email of two personal references willing to complete a recommendation form by April 5, 2026.

All information provided in your application will be treated as confidential and used solely for the purpose of selecting scholarship recipients for the 2026– 2027 academic year.

The American Montessori Society is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education. AMS does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, national or ethnic origin, or any other classification protected by applicable law in the administration of its scholarship programs, and other AMS-administered programs and activities.

Write a compelling personal statement (max. 1,000 words). Be sure to include the following:

• A description of your experience working with children
• Why you have chosen Montessori education as a career
• What you hope to offer children and their families as an outcome of your studies in an AMS-affiliated teacher education program and where you see yourself professionally in five years
• How earning your Montessori credential will affect your community

In order to qualify for an AMS teacher education scholarship, you must be accepted into and/or enrolled in an AMS-affiliated teacher education program prior to submission of the scholarship application.

If you have been accepted and have committed to attend an AMS-affiliated teacher education program, please enter the information below. The TEP director will be emailed a form to complete verifying your acceptance and enrollment to the program. 

Your program director will need to complete the form on your behalf by the published timeline.

U.S. Applicants:
Please upload pages 1 and 2 of your most recent federal IRS Form 1040.
Before uploading, redact your Social Security number and any bank account or routing information.

International Applicants:
If you do not file U.S. federal income taxes, please upload official documentation from your country of residence that shows household income for the most recent tax year (such as a tax return, tax assessment, employer-issued income statement, or similar record).
You may redact personal identification numbers. Documents not in English should include a brief summary or translation of key income figures.

As part of the scholarship application process, professional references are required and will be submitted directly to AMS by the individuals you identify below.

References should be able to speak to your experience working with children at the age level for which you are seeking a credential, your alignment with Montessori principles, and your likelihood of success in a teacher education program. References should come from multiple sources (e.g., current or previous employers, supervisors, mentors, teacher educators, or community leaders). Please do not list family members or two references from the same school or immediate work setting.

Please enter the names and contact information for two individuals who have agreed to serve as professional references on your behalf. After you submit this application, AMS will send each reference a link to a brief online form to complete and submit directly.

Once you sign and click the Submit button, you will not be able to further edit your submission.