Christa McAuliffe Scholarship Program
Tennessee State Government
Developed by the Tennessee General Assembly, the Christa McAuliffe Scholarship Program originated in honor of Christa McAuliffe, a high school teacher who died in the space shuttle Challenger accident. The scholarship program is to encourage vibrant and promising Tennesseans who commit to inspiring and teaching young minds to explore and achieve their highest potential.
The program offers $500 to college juniors to complete their undergraduate degrees and pursue a career in teaching. It can be used for your tuition, mandatory fees, and other direct educational expenses.
Applicants must be residents of Tennessee, have a GPA of 3.5, and be enrolled full-time in a teacher education program in an accredited Tennessee college or university. Grade transcripts must be submitted as well. An ACT or SAT score that meets the minimum requirement is also a must. The perfect candidate must demonstrate a commitment to a career in education in Tennessee and academic achievement.
Scholarship Summary
Developed by the Tennessee General Assembly, the Christa McAuliffe Scholarship Program originated in honor of Christa McAuliffe, a high school teacher who died in the space shuttle Challenger accident. The scholarship program is to encourage vibrant and promising Tennesseans who commit to inspiring and teaching young minds to explore and achieve their highest potential.
The program offers $500 to college juniors to complete their undergraduate degrees and pursue a career in teaching. It can be used for your tuition, mandatory fees, and other direct educational expenses.
Applicants must be residents of Tennessee, have a GPA of 3.5, and be enrolled full-time in a teacher education program in an accredited Tennessee college or university. Grade transcripts must be submitted as well. An ACT or SAT score that meets the minimum requirement is also a must. The perfect candidate must demonstrate a commitment to a career in education in Tennessee and academic achievement.
Eligibility Requirements
- Eligible Grade: College Junior
- Maximum Age: Any
- Required GPA: 3.5
- Geographic Eligibility: Tennessee
- Gender: Any
- Race/Ethnicity: Any
Key Information of Christa McAuliffe Scholarship Program
Study Details
Area of Study
Education
Country of Study
United States
Specific Schools
Any
Application Requirements
Here’s what you need to submit besides your application.
- Grade transcript
- Standardized Test Scores
Christa McAuliffe Scholarship Program Timeline
January 2024
Application Opening Date
Applications open on January 1.
April 2024
Submission Deadline
The submission deadline is on April 1.
How to ace the Christa McAuliffe Scholarship Program
Have a minimum GPA of 3.5
This program is very competitive with a minimum GPA of 3.5 as a minimum. Work hard to reach this GPA and work harder on maintaining it. Those who score higher have a better chance of winning.
Stand out with your ACT or SAT score
Just like GPAs, your ACT or SAT scores should match or better yet exceed the national norm. It is a merit-based award so those with high academic records and demonstrates academic achievements win in the end.
Be enrolled in a teacher education program
Endeavor to be enrolled full-time in a teacher education program in an accredited Tennessee postsecondary institution. Show your determination in the education field and how this scholarship would help you reach your goals.
Show a strong interest in teaching profession
Demonstrate why teaching is your career path and how you plan to contribute to the field. Also, convince the judges why you make a winning candidate.
How the Christa McAuliffe Scholarship Program is Judged
The applicants will be judged based on intellectual background as demonstrated by academic transcript and commitment to teaching and the educational field.
Why We Love the Christa McAuliffe Scholarship Program
A major support for young Tennesseans
The scholarship seeks to encourage young people in teacher education programs in an accredited Tennessee postsecondary institution
The award helps with school expenses
The scholarship recipient can use the award to take care of school-related expenses. This helps lift the burden off parents.
Motivates young people to choose teaching careers
Young people can find motivation in the value of the reward to enroll in different teacher education programs.
5 Facts About Christa McAuliffe
She was a teacher
She taught English and American History to high school students.
Born in Boston
She was born September 2, 1948, in Boston Massachusetts.
Graduated from Framingham State College
Christa graduated from Framingham State College, in 1970.
First civilian selected for space travel
She was to be the first civilian to travel to space.
Multiple honors
After the Challenger tragedy, Christa was honored in numerous ways – such as having a crater, asteroid, and planetarium named after her.
