Amid Teacher Shortage Rider U. Offers Scholarship For Education Majors

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — As the United States faces a teacher shortage, Rider University is working to increase the pool of qualified educators by offing a new scholarship program.

Beginning in the fall 2023 semester, Rider will offer a $2,000 annual scholarship for incoming first-year and transfer undergraduate education majors.

Students who apply to Rider as an elementary education or secondary education major will be eligible for the Teacher Education Scholarship.

Students must enroll in a minimum of 12 credits a semester, maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher and remain in good academic standing.

“Rider has a demonstrated track record of nurturing outstanding teachers,” Dr. Jason Barr, dean of Rider’s College of Education and Human Services, said in a statement.

“This scholarship is designed to help students who are passionate and dedicated to the field of education. As future educators, they will have an incredible impact on generations of students during this challenging time for the profession.”

According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, bachelor’s degrees in education have dropped nearly 52 percent from 1971 to 2020.

Nationwide, 55 percent of educators said they were ready to retire earlier than expected, according to 2022 survey results by the National Education Association.

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