– Graduate Education Students Can Apply Now for Up to $5,655 Per Semester in Support –
– Additional St. Thomas Aquinas College Scholarships Further Expand Affordability –
St. Thomas Aquinas College is proud to highlight the New York State Masters in Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship (MIE), a valuable financial opportunity available to eligible graduate education students pursuing careers in teaching. This scholarship is available in addition to institutional scholarships offered by the College, further expanding access and affordability. Applications for 2026–2027 are now open.
Through this program, eligible students may receive up to $5,655 per semester for a maximum of four semesters — significantly reducing the cost of graduate study. Offered through New York State, the scholarship supports students enrolled in approved master’s degree programs in education who commit to teaching in New York State public schools for five years following graduation.
At St. Thomas Aquinas College, students enrolled in graduate education programs who meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply for this highly competitive award. When combined with institutional aid offered by the College, the MIE scholarship provides a powerful pathway to making graduate education more accessible and affordable.
“Expanding access to graduate education is central to our mission, particularly for those preparing to serve as educators,” said Ken Daly, President of St. Thomas Aquinas College. “Opportunities like the Masters in Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship not only ease the financial burden for our students, but also strengthen the pipeline of talented, dedicated teachers across New York State. We are grateful for the statewide advocacy efforts — including the leadership of the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU) — that have helped expand access to this opportunity for students at private institutions.”
The scholarship is open to matriculated full-time graduate students enrolled in approved education programs at SUNY, CUNY, or participating private colleges, including St. Thomas Aquinas College. Eligible applicants must demonstrate strong academic achievement, including a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA, and commit to living and teaching in New York State for five years in a public elementary or secondary school following completion of their degree.
“At St. Thomas Aquinas College, we are committed to preparing highly qualified, compassionate educators who are ready to make an impact in today’s classrooms,” said Dr. Nydia Prishker, Dean of the School of Education. “These scholarship opportunities align directly with our mission by supporting students who are dedicated to teaching and strengthening school communities throughout New York State.”
The application for the Masters in Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship is now open and closes on June 1, 2026. Applicants must also complete the 2026–27 FAFSA and TAP application. Students who qualify under the NYS DREAM Act may apply through the corresponding application. For more information about the MIE Teacher Incentive Scholarship and how to apply, please visit hesc.ny.gov/mie.
In addition to the MIE scholarship, students pursuing careers in math and science education may also be eligible for the New York State Math & Science Teaching Incentive Scholarship (MSTI). This program provides up to $3,535 per semester for full-time undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in approved programs who are preparing to teach math or science at the secondary level (grades 7–12), further expanding financial support for future educators in high-need subject areas. For more information, visit: hesc.ny.gov/msti.
The School of Education at St. Thomas Aquinas College offers a broad range of graduate programs that prepare knowledgeable, compassionate educators for today’s classrooms. Programs include MST pathways leading to initial certification in Childhood, Secondary, Special Education, Art, Teaching English to Students of Other Languages (TESOL), and Physical Education (All Grades), as well as advanced MSEd and Post-Master’s Certificate programs in Literacy, Special Education, Autism, and TESOL. Accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), the School fosters a mission-driven community and supports accessibility to help teachers grow in their careers.
To learn more about graduate education programs at St. Thomas Aquinas College, please visit stac.edu/graduate or contact Dana Caponong, Assistant Director of Admissions for Graduate Students, at 845-398-4220 or dcaponon@stac.edu.
About St. Thomas Aquinas College
St. Thomas Aquinas College is an independent liberal arts college located on 76 acres in Rockland County, NY, providing education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The College’s diverse student body of approximately 2,000 full and part-time students can choose from over 100 majors, minors, and specializations across four Schools: Arts & Social Sciences, Business, Education, and STEM. The College is recognized by U.S. News & World Report in the Top-Tier for Regional Universities, and by Colleges of Distinction in its New York edition for Business, Education, and Career Development. The College is also recognized as a Yellow Ribbon Program institution. St. Thomas Aquinas College is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; its School of Education is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), and its School of Business is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). For more information, visit www.stac.edu.