Education (MS) + Teaching Credentials Tuition and Aid

Scholarships and grants are types of aid that do not have to be repaid and that can help to directly reduce your tuition expenses. 

How to Apply

Masters in Education graduate students are eligible for the following scholarships when they meet the priority application deadline.

Graduate Admissions Scholarship

Scholarship Terms and Conditions

• Scholarships are awarded based on the grade point average (GPA) of the last 60 units earned by the student as determined at the time of admission.
• Scholarships are renewable for up to two additional years beyond the first year of award, provided the student continues to meet the terms and conditions.

• Students must complete all courses attempted (grades of I, F, UF, and W do not represent a completed course).

• Students must maintain continuous enrollment at Dominican. If a student stops out or takes a Leave of Absence for more than one term, they are no longer eligible for the scholarship.

• Students who are completing a combined undergraduate and graduate program at Dominican, such as a 4+1 or Dual/Dual Program, are not eligible.

*Candidates who are completing a combined undergraduate and graduate program at Dominican, such as 4+1 or Dual/Dual program, are not eligible for the Graduate Merit Scholarship. 

School Employee Scholarship

Dominican is proud to now offer the School Employee Scholarship for eligible candidates who are currently working in a public or private school. 

• The scholarship amount is 25% of tuition applicable while completing credential coursework.
• The scholarship is renewable each year up to a maximum of two years from the start of your enrollment. 
• Please note that students are eligible for either a Graduate Merit Scholarship OR the School Employee Scholarship, not both.

In order to verify if you are eligible to receive the School Employee Scholarship, please complete the employment verification form and return it to your admissions counselor.

Teachers of Color (TOC) Scholarship

The Teachers of Color (TOC) Scholarship benefits underrepresented students, who intend to teach, or currently teach, at a Marin, Alameda, or Contra Costa County public school and are enrolled in the Teaching Credential portion of the MS Education degree. 

• The scholarship amount is 50% of tuition applicable while completing credential coursework.
• Preference is given to African American and Latinx students living in Marin, Alameda, and Contra Costa Counties.
• The scholarship award is renewable while the student is completing the Teaching Credential courses provided the student maintains a 3.0 minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA).

Please complete the Interest Form to learn more about the Teachers of Color Scholarship.

Read news coverage of the Teachers of Color Scholarship: Inaugural Marin Teachers of Color Scholarship Recipient Named

Golden State Teacher Grant Program

Students applying for this program must be currently enrolled in a professional teacher preparation program within an accredited California institution of higher education that is approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) (such as Dominican University of California). 

The one-time Golden State Teacher Grant funds up to $20,000 that will be awarded if you commit to the following:

• You will teach in the “high need” field of Special Education, at a priority school, as determined by the CTC, for four years, within five years after you receive the teaching credential.
• A “priority school” means either a school with a high percentage, as determined by the CTC in consultation with the State Department of Education (CDE), of teachers holding emergency-type permits, based on the most recent data available to the CTC and the CDE, or a school with a high percentage, as determined by the CTC in consultation with the CDE, of low-income students.
  • “Emergency-type permits” include, but are not limited to, any of the following:
  • Provisional internships
  • Short-term staff permits
  • Credential waivers
  • Substitute permits
• You will repay the Commission 25 percent of the total award annually, up to full repayment of the award, for each year if you fail to do one or more of the following:
  • Be enrolled in or have successfully completed a teacher preparation program approved by the CTC.
  • While enrolled in the teacher preparation program, maintain good academic standing.
  • Complete the required teaching service following completion of your teacher preparation program.

Apply for the Golden State Teacher Grant Program
Please contact goldenstateteachers@csac.ca.gov for more information. 

Local, Public and Private Scholarships

Visit Outside Scholarships to learn more about local, public and private scholarships. 

Federal loans are available to help graduate students meet the cost of attending Dominican. Most graduate students are eligible for up to $20,500 each award year in Unsubsidized Stafford Loans. Additional federal and private loans are available if needed.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a FAFSA and a Dominican Financial Aid Application. Federal loans will be included in your financial aid award. 

Learn about what types of loans are available on the Graduate Loans page.

Work-Study is an optional form of self-help aid that allows students to apply for on-campus employment (or off-campus work with one of our community service partners) to earn extra money toward their college expenses. 

How to Apply

To be considered for Federal Work-Study, submit a FAFSA and contact the Office of Financial Aid. To learn about other opportunities, visit our Work-Study page.