RISE Magazine

Philanthropy from our community partners enables the UNLV College of Education to award scholarships and fellowships to undergraduate, postbaccalaureate, and graduate students pursuing careers that impact the lives of countless youth and families. RISE is the annual showcase of scholarship and fellowship recipients of the UNLV College of Education.

Rise 2023-24 Rise 2022-23

COE Scholarships

In support of student success, the College of Education has received generous funding from donors to facilitate scholarships available specifically for undergraduate and graduate students completing programs within the college.

Applications for these need-based scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year are due January 31, 2025. Please note that scholarship applications are submitted via one form (instead of separate forms for each scholarship).

Make sure you're receiving Ed Exchange, the college's bi-monthly e-newsletter for students, to get an alert when the application is open for the next cycle. Here's how to apply:

  • Go to the college's scholarship application page
  • Enter your first and last name and NSHE ID number
  • Respond to the series of questions to determine your eligibility for each of the college's scholarship opportunities
  • Indicate the scholarship opportunities that you are applying for
  • Enter your personal contact information and respond to the short essay questions
  • Submit your application.

Please note applicants:

Please contact the Dean's Office at 702-895-3375 or education@unlv.edu with any questions or concerns.

Typically $1,200 awarded for the Fall semester

This scholarship is a memorial fund in honor of Barbara Lochridge, kindergarten teacher, for full- or part-time students pursuing an undergraduate elementary education degree. Recipients must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Typically $1,200 awarded for the Fall semester

This scholarship is a memorial fund in honor of Catherine Vaglio, a math teacher who later taught computer classes for students when computers started training educators on new computer technology. Full- or part-time undergraduate or graduate students majoring in education are eligible to apply. Applicants must must maintain a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA, be a Nevada resident. Preference is given to students who demonstrate financial need based on the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Non-FAFSA eligible students must complete the Alternate Need Determination (AND) Form.

Typically $1,000 awarded for the Fall semester

This scholarship is a memorial fund in honor of Chester Simms, an early gaming pioneer and passionate advocate for formal education. Part- or full-time undergraduate or graduate students pursuing a special education degree are encouraged to apply. Applicants must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA, and be a Nevada resident.

Typically $1,500 awarded for the Fall semester

Chris Giunchigliani taught special education in public schools off and on from 1976 until her retirement in 2019. She also served as president of the local and state teachers union. Her late husband, Gary Gray, was also a public school teacher, and they loved to travel for pleasure and discover other cultures. They both believed in giving back to the community and places of learning.

Part- or full-time graduate students pursuing degrees in special education are eligible to apply. Applicants must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA. Preference is given to students who demonstrate financial need based on the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Non-FAFSA eligible students must complete the Alternate Need Determination (AND) Form. Students from underserved populations and students intending to serve within a public school post-graduation are especially encouraged to apply.

Typically $1,000 awarded for the Fall semester

This scholarship is established in memory of Dorothy A. Dawson, an inspiring teacher. Full-time and part-time undergraduate or graduate students pursuing education degrees and educator licensure are eligible to apply. Applicants must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA must demonstrate financial need based on the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Non-FAFSA eligible students must complete the Alternate Need Determination (AND) Form.

Typically $1,000 awarded for the Fall semester

Dr. Bea Babbitt retired in 2011 after a 28- year career in higher education, 17 of which were at UNLV. While at UNLV, Dr. Babbitt served as a director of teacher education, associate professor of special education, and for six years prior to her retirement, as director of academic assessment in the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs. Dr. Babbitt was an outstanding mentor to both undergraduate and graduate students, a dedicated leader in her profession, and a cherished faculty colleague.

For full-time students pursuing a graduate degree in education are encouraged to apply. Applicants must sustain a minimum 3.5 GPA and preference will be given to students focusing on special education and those who have demonstrated commitment to the profession through service in professional associations or in leadership positions.

Typically $1,200 awarded for the Spring semester

For full or part-time students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in education and an intent to serve in areas of critical need as defined by the college (e.g., Title I schools). Applicants must be from ethically and/or culturally diverse background and plan to complete a minimum of 18 credits during the calendar year (i.e., Spring, Summer and Fall semesters combined) and maintain a minimum 2.8 GPA. Preference will be given to Clark County School District personnel who have at least two years of college experience and have worked/are working in a school setting.

Awarded only for the Fall semester

This scholarship is for full-time undergraduate elementary education majors. Recipients must maintain a 3.0 GPA and be a Nevada resident at time of award.

Awarded only for the Fall semester

This scholarship is for part- or full-time undergraduate or graduate students pursuing degrees in elementary education. Recipients must maintain a 2.0 GPA. Preference will be given to students looking to teach in the creative arts (e.g., music, art, dance) and intending to teach at the early elementary level, including pre-K.

Typically $1,500 awarded for the Fall semester

John M. Vergiels was a gifted athlete who attended the University of Toledo, where he played football and baseball. He obtained his undergraduate, master's, and doctorate degrees from the University of Toledo and then moved to Las Vegas to become a fully tenured professor in the College of Education at UNLV. During his years at UNLV, Dr. Vergiels served as chairman of the Faculty Senate, Department of Curriculum and Education, and the Department of Secondary and Vocational Education. Dr. Vergiels was also the Nevada legislator for twenty years, serving in both the Assembly and the Senate. He is the only person in Nevada history to have held all the top leadership positions in both houses. In 2007 Senator Vergiels was inducted into the Senate Hall of Fame.

Full- or part-time students pursuing graduate degrees in education. Recipients must maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA Preference will be given to Nevada or Ohio residents.

Typically $1,200 awarded for the Fall semester

This scholarship was established in memory of Monti Carlin Tettamanti, an inspiring Clark County School District teacher. Part-or full-time students pursuing education degrees and enrolled in student teaching are eligible to apply. Applicants must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need based on the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Non-FAFSA eligible students must complete the Alternate Need Determination (AND) Form.

Typically $1,000 awarded for the Fall semester

This scholarship was established to support full-time or part-time undergraduate education students. Recipients must be Nevada residents enrolled in student teaching, maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need based on the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Non-FAFSA eligible students must complete the Alternate Need Determination (AND) Form.

Preference will be given to students who are cancer patients, cancer survivors, or who have lost a parent to the disease. Students who meet this preferential criteria must submit an essay explaining the impact cancer has had on their lives.

Typically $1,500 awarded for the Fall semester

This scholarship is established by the Wolzinger family to help students complete their education and graduate. Full-time undergraduate education majors doing non-compensated student teaching and in their final two semesters with a minimum 3.0 GPA, are eligible to apply.

COE Field Experience Scholarship

Thanks to a partnership between the College of Education and CSUN student government, education and human services majors who are about to enter their final two field experience or internship classes can apply for a $2,000 scholarship ($1,000 per semester). One student from each major within the college will receive an award and students are invited to apply in the Spring.

Rodman Scholars Program

The Rodman Special Education Cohort Program is an intensive one-year program for undergraduate special education majors entering their junior year. Rodman scholars receive:

  • Scholarships covering all tuition and fees for four semesters
  • Funding to purchase a tablet
  • Practicum and mentorship experiences in a special education classroom
  • Opportunity to graduate in one year and apply for licensure as a generalist special educator
  • A cohort-based approach, which allows a group of students to move through the program together, facilitating more interaction and collaboration as well as an enhanced learning experience 

Sign up to receive more information about the program, including eligibility and application instructions. Selections are usually made by mid-April for the following year’s program, which will begin in August.

Teach Grant 

The TEACH Grant Program provides grant funding of up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families AND in high need fields.

TEACH Grant

Teach Nevada Scholarships

Teach Nevada scholarship is available to select students completing student teaching or clinical experiences in school psychology and counseling and enrolled in the requisite courses. When/If funds become available for Teach Nevada, eligible students will be contacted by the Teach Nevada scholarship team with instructions on how to apply.

NITEP Fellowship Program