About Montessori

Scholarship Opportunities

Every year, the American Montessori Society awards teacher education scholarships to aspiring Montessori teachers in support of their professional growth.

Eligibility

This scholarship supports aspiring Montessori teachers accepted into American Montessori Society-affiliated teacher education programs.

To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must have already applied and been accepted to an AMS-affiliated Teacher Education Program. Applicants may have already begun training or be in their practicum phase, but must still owe program fees.

Selection Process

Scholarship recipients are selected by a sub-committee of the AMS Community Engagement & Action Committee.

Applicants are considered on the basis of financial need, a compelling personal statement, two original letters of recommendation, and official verification of acceptance into an AMS-affiliated program. 

All applications must be completed online by March 31, 2026, 11:59pm ET, and all corresponding letters of reference and TEP confirmation of enrollment must be submitted electronically by April 5, 2026.

Questions related to the scholarship or the application process can be directed to pd@amshq.org. 

Funds

Scholarships are drawn from 3 funds:

1. The AMS Teacher Education Scholarship Fund, for which monies are raised in honor of the current Living Legacy.
2. The Zell Family Scholarship Fund, established in 1995 by Dr. Pamela Zell Rigg to honor the memory of her late mother, Agnes Kister, and her late brother, John Kister Zell. AMS administers this fund, drawing from it to award scholarships every year in which funds are available.
3. The Joanne P. Hammes Scholarship Fund, established by an anonymous donor in 2013 to honor Ms. Hammes’s lifelong work as a Montessori educator. AMS administers this fund, providing scholarships every year in which funds are available.