Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars
About the Program
The Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program helps high school seniors and recent high school graduates pursue rewarding careers as WV teachers in math, science, elementary education or special education.
The Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program is a competitive scholarship for current high school seniors and recent high school graduates with a passion for teaching and a history of high academic achievement, community service, and active involvement in extracurricular activities while in high school. Recipients will receive up to $10,000 per year for up to four years (up to the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, and other approved educational expenses minus other financial aid). In exchange, Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars must agree to teach full time under contract with a county board of education in a public education program in West Virginia in an area of critical need (math, science, elementary education or special education) for a period of five years after graduating from college.
The scholarship may be used at any eligible West Virginia public or private, non-profit college or university offering West Virginia Board of Education-approved teacher preparation programs in math, science, elementary education, or special education. Each year, we will award up to 25 new Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars from a national applicant pool. Explore this site to learn more about program eligibility, how to apply and what is required after graduation.
See Previous Teaching Scholars!
News release (May 22, 2025): State selects 24 students for West Virginia’s prestigious teaching scholarship
News release (August 1, 2024): State selects 24 students for West Virginia’s prestigious teaching scholarship
News release (July 19, 2023): State selects 27 students for West Virginia’s prestigious teaching scholarship
News release (July 1, 2022): State selects 27 students for West Virginia’s prestigious teaching scholarship
News release (July 1, 2021): West Virginia names 25 high school graduates as this year’s Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars
News release (July 8, 2020): Twenty-five high school seniors selected as West Virginia’s first Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars
How to Apply
Applying for the Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars program is a 3-step application process. The preliminary application opens annually July 15 with a December 31 deadline.
Contact Information
Do you have questions about the Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholarship? Need help applying or filling out your FAFSA? Our financial aid experts are here to help!
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