Apply for the Early Childhood Educators (ECE) scholarship

The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and the Department of Higher Education (DHE) jointly offer this scholarship to help early educators increase their qualifications through a college degree.

Office of Student Financial Assistance (DHE)

Department of Early Education and Care

The Details   of Apply for the Early Childhood Educators (ECE) scholarship

Overview   for Apply for the Early Childhood Educators (ECE) scholarship

Scholarship deadline has been extended to October 1, 2023. Find out how you can apply below! 

The Early Childhood Scholarship provides financial assistance if you are currently employed in an early childhood field. This includes all licensed and funded EEC program types (group and school aged, out-of-school time, and family child care programs).

The scholarship supports early childhood staff who are enrolled (or plan to enroll in) a higher education certificate, associates, bachelors or masters degree program at an approved institution in Massachusetts. Eligible majors include:  Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Family Studies, Child Care Administration or fields that directly name early child development as its specific areas of inquiry. 

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Eligibility   for Apply for the Early Childhood Educators (ECE) scholarship

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).
  • 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 Development, Family Studies, Child Care Administration or fields that directly name early child development and its specific areas of inquiry. Eligible graduate programs include these same categories as well as Early Childhood Research, Policy and Practice; Education Entrepreneurship; and Learning Sciences.”
  • Be employed, for at least six months, 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.
  • Students must either be pursuing their first bachelor’s degree or pursuing a master’s degree in an approved program, as defined.

How to apply   Apply for the Early Childhood Educators (ECE) scholarship

  1. Before you apply for the scholarship, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  2. The ECE Scholarship application is available on the Office of Student Financial Assistance's website.
  3. Create a MASSAid Student Portal account if you don't already have one.
  4. You need to have an active Professional Quality Registry (PQR) number to apply for the scholarship. If you already have a PQR number and need assistance retrieving this number please contact EEC's help desk at (617) 988-2450
  5. Complete the ECE Scholarship application in the MASSAid Student Portal system.

More info   for Apply for the Early Childhood Educators (ECE) scholarship

Additional information about the ECE Scholarship can be found on the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) website. The OSFA website has the most current information on award amounts, eligibility requirements, and additional updates to the scholarship program.

Downloads   for Apply for the Early Childhood Educators (ECE) scholarship

Contact   for Apply for the Early Childhood Educators (ECE) scholarship

Address
75 Pleasant St., Malden, MA 02148
Online
Fax
(617) 391-6085

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