Scholarships & Free Coursework for ECE Professionals
The early childhood field increasingly offers rewarding career paths for professionals to grow their experience and compensation as they help Colorado's youngest children also grow and thrive.
View the Colorado Department of Higher Education’s ECE Educator Funding Opportunities landing page here.
Child Development Associate (CDA) Scholarships
The CDA is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education. Scholarships are available for both new CDA candidates and renewal candidates. The application for CDA Scholarships is now open. The next 2022 deadline is:
- August 26
Scholarships support training costs and assessment fees for new and renewal candidates. Advisors are available to help candidates find a training program that meets CDA requirements. Advisors can also help with the development of a candidate’s portfolio for the final assessment.
To learn more, visit the Red Rocks Child Care Innovations website or contact Julia Brink at julia.brink@rrcc.edu.
Free 101 and 103 Coursework
Professionals who want to start their careers in early childhood can enroll in ECE 101 and 103 and have their tuition and fees paid. These courses help professionals meet minimum child care licensing qualifications for Early Childhood Teachers (experience hours are still needed in addition to the coursework).
Tuition for ECE 101 and ECE 103 will be paid at the in-state or online rates and related course registration fees will be covered. To access these funds, students need to be registered for ECE 101 and/or ECE 103 at a community college or equivalent courses at a public four-year institution of higher education.
Find a full list of these courses in English and Spanish and learn more here.
Out-of-state students may complete an appeal to have tuition costs paid for.
Students do not need to complete an application or a FAFSA in order to receive these funds. All you need to do is contact the college registrar… Tuition will be paid directly to the college or university, so students don’t have to worry about fronting any costs and waiting for reimbursement.
The Colorado Department of Higher Education will work directly with the colleges to apply these funds toward the student’s tuition. If you took either of these courses during the Fall 2021 semester you can qualify to be reimbursed through your college.
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarship Program
The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarship Program offers early childhood education program directors, teachers, and family child care providers working in a licensed program a pathway to pursue higher education. Access to scholarships for early childhood education is a critical piece to a successful professional development pathway.
T.E.A.C.H. is affiliated with the national Teacher Education and Compensation Helps Early Childhood® initiative of the Child Care Services Association, and we hold the state license to offer scholarships in Colorado.
The Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance (ECCLA) is an equal opportunity scholarship provider. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, gender, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, military status, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression in any of its activities or operations.
Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow (ASSET) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students are welcome to apply!
To apply online, please visit awards.ecclacolorado.org. To download an application, learn more about the scholarship, view FAQ’s and scholarship model information, please visit ecclacolorado.org/teachscholarships.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Shannon Hall, Director of Workforce Supports at shannon@ecclacolorado.org or Dallas Brown, ECE Scholarship/Career Navigator at dallas@ecclacolorado.org. To fax your application send it to (720) 669-1544.
ECCLA is also offering Back to Work Grants, to support workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and provide Coloradans support in accessing and completing their credential or degree in early childhood education.
Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program
In partnership with Child Care Innovations (CCI) at Red Rocks Community College, the CDEC is offering scholarships for early childhood professionals to participate in a federally-registered apprenticeship program to receive support for on-the-job training. Early childhood professionals will receive scholarships for professional development opportunities, and programs will receive incentives to host apprentices. Deadlines for 2022 will occur on February 18, May 20, and August 26, 2022
To learn more about becoming an apprentice or if you are a child care program interested in hosting an apprentice, visit the Child Care Development Specialist Apprenticeship Program webpage and contact Julia Brink at julia.brink@rrcc.edu for more information.
ECE Educator Stipends, Scholarships and Loan Forgiveness
Are you an ECE educator, director or support staff with student loan debt? Apply for up to $5,000 in student loan forgiveness. Applications closed on September 15, 2022.
For more information about this and other programs, click here. Questions about the program may be directed to ECEeducatorfunding@dhe.state.co.us.
