Early Childhood Education Scholarship

Early Childhood Education Scholarship

The Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program was funded as a pilot initiative by the Legislature for the purpose of increasing the quality and availability of teachers and care providers to work with young children and youth in inclusive settings including infant/toddler, preschool and school age programs. The scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance for currently employed early childhood and out of school time educators and providers who enroll in an associate's, bachelor's or master's degree program in Early Childhood Education or related programs.

Number of Scholarships: 1

Closing date: Census Date Semester One

Who Is Eligible?

To be eligible for the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship, an applicant must:

• Be a permanent legal resident of Massachusetts.
• Be a U.S. Citizen or non-citizen eligible under Title IV regulations.
• Have applied for financial aid, using the standard Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Be in compliance with Selective Service Registration.
• Not be in default of any federal or state Student Loans for attendance at any institution or owe a refund for any previous financial aid received.
• Enroll, as a matriculated student, in an undergraduate degree program (full or part-time) in Early Childhood Education, Child and Family Studies, Child Care Administration, Child Development, Child Guidance, Child Psychology, Family Studies, and Human Services is an eligible degree when it includes an Early Childhood concentration in the major.
• Be employed, for at least one year, as an educator or provider in an early education and care program or out of school time program that is licensed or authorized by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and continue employment in this field while pursuing the approved course of study.
• Sign an agreement to continue employment as an early childhood educator or provider in Massachusetts upon completing the degree requirement, or repay funds as defined.
• Not have received a prior bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.

 How to Apply

• Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can file your FAFSA electronically here.
• Create a MASSAid Student Portal account here if you do not already have one.
• Complete the ECE Scholarship application in the MASSAid Student Portal system.
• Applicants must have an active ECE Professional Qualifications Registry Number to be considered for the ECE Scholarship. If you do not have an acive EEC PQ Registry Number, click herefor the PQ Registry.