Continuing Education Scholarship

The GVSU Charter Schools Office offers financial support to educators employed at GVSU-authorized charter schools who wish to participate in courses to earn a variety of graduate degrees or endorsements or simply, to enrich their professional expertise.

The scholarship provides 50% tuition coverage for those with less than five years of employment at a GVSU-authorized charter school, and 80% tuition coverage for those with five or more years of employment at a GVSU-authorized charter school.

Scholarship Application Window and Access

The application for Winter 2024 Semester will be open from November 1, 2023 through December 29, 2023. 

Eligibility Criteria

  • Scholarships are based on the availability of funds each semester and are awarded on a first come, first served basis for those who complete all requirements. 
  • Only individuals employed at GVSU authorized charter schools, in full-time positions requiring a teaching or administrator certificate, are eligible for the scholarship.
    • 50% tuition coverage for those with less than five years of employment at a GVSU-authorized charter school, and 80% tuition coverage for those with five or more years of employment at a GVSU-authorized charter school.
  • Scholarship funds are limited to twelve (12) credits per person, per academic year (Fall Semester through Spring/Summer Semester).
  • In order to receive scholarship funds, applicants must complete the scholarship application before each semester.

Application Criteria and Award Selection

This offering is not limited to specific courses or programs, but rather scholarships are based on an application review process. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee that it will be awarded. Awards will be based on:

  • Thorough completion of application
  • Relevance of request to applicant's current role and responsibilities at their school*
  • Course or program selection addresses a demonstrated need within the school*

*All graduate level Education Program courses offered by the College of Education and Community Innovation (CECI) are automatically eligible for scholarship funds, including EDR 612 and EDR 613. Undergraduate courses within the Teachable Majors and Minors Endorsements are also automatically eligible. Additionally, courses within the Professional Master of Arts in Social Innovation (PMASI) program, offered by the Integrative, Religious, and Intercultural Studies Department (IRIS), are automatically eligible.

Degrees, Endorsements and Other Courses

Grand Valley State University's Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership offers emphasis areas in educational leadership and special education administration. The program emphasizes theory, research, and practice in such areas as effective leadership, curriculum organization and improvement, personnel administration, finance, law, assessment, and other related topics.

Grand Valley State University's Educational Specialist in Leadership (Ed.S) degree builds upon the master's degree to prepare current and future leaders who are well-equipped to deal with the complex challenges of an ever-changing educational environment. Learn more about the Educational Specialist in Leadership program.

Grand Valley State University's Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Technology prepares educators at all levels to integrate technology into teaching and learning, coordinate technology, manage technological resources, work in local or regional media centers, or explore the benefits of technology for instruction. The program prepares teachers and leaders to enhance the potential of their students and to evaluate the social and ethical implications of educational policies and practices. Learn more about the Educational Technology program.

Grand Valley State University's Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Higher Education offers an emphasis in Adult and Higher Education and in College Student Affairs Leadership (CSAL). The program is designed for students who wish to develop competencies in teaching adult students and for individuals interested in college or university institutional affairs and administration. Learn more about the Higher Education program.

Grand Valley State University's Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Instruction and Curriculum features programs in emphasis areas of early childhood education, educational differentiation, elementary education, and secondary education. To learn more about each of the emphasis areas, please use the following links:

Students completing the Master of Education in Literacy become literacy leaders in one of two areas; Elementary Reading and Secondary Reading or K-12 Reading Specialist. Learn more the Literacy Studies programs.

Grand Valley State University's Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling prepares students to work as school counselors in K-12 public and private school systems. The M.Ed. in School Counseling program leads to a school counselor endorsement or a school counselor license in Michigan to be used in a school setting. Learn more about the School Counseling program.

Grand Valley State University's Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education features programs in autism spectrum disorder, cognitive impairment, emotional impairment, and learning disabilities. The program prepares teachers to work effectively with students with disabilities in a variety of educational settings, and to effectively manage the classroom by adjusting practices according to individual student needs. Learn more about the Special Education programs.

GVSU offers "undergraduate" endorsements and "graduate" level endorsements for those who already hold a valid Michigan teaching certificate.

Undergraduate Endorsements include the same teachable majors and minors offered to undergraduate students completing their initial certification.

The College of Education offers Graduate Endorsements for educational leadership, literacy, special education, and instruction and curriculum. 

Learn more about available endorsements.

Grand Valley State University's Professional Master of Arts in Social Innovation (PMASI) is designed to prepare individuals to foster and lead innovation throughout their organizations, businesses, and communities in ways that impact daily operations and strategic goals. Learn more about the PMASI program. 

Explore Grand Valley State University's Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog for course offerings. 

Contact Information

Charter Schools Office
Jayme Lesperance
(616) 331-6964
[email protected] 

Graduate Admissions (Graduate Programs and Endorsements)
Rachel Van Den Broek
(616) 331-7067
[email protected] 

Undergraduate Admissions (Major/Minor Endorsements)
Kym Pawelka
(616) 331-6211
[email protected]

If you have questions about any of the eligible programs within the College of Education and Community Innovation (CECI), please contact the Program Contact listed for your program/ program of interest.

If you have questions about the Professional Master of Arts in Social Innovation (PMASI), please contact the Program Director, Azfar Hussain. Ph.D

If you have questions about any other courses/ programs at GVSU, please contact the appropriate College Advising Center.

Student Accounts
Jody Reid
(616) 331-2208
[email protected]

Office of Financial Aid
(616) 331-3234
[email protected]

(866) 907-0928
[email protected] 

Additional Resources


Page last modified August 30, 2023
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