Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program

The Early Childhood Educator’s (ECE) Scholarship program is funded, subject to the availability of funds and appropriation from the Massachusetts Legislature. The scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance for prospective and currently employed early childhood and out-of-school educators and providers who enroll in a degree program in an approved area of study.

The Legislature funded the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program as a pilot initiative to increase 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 amounts are awarded at a per-credit rate set by the state. Applicants may receive scholarships to assist with the cost of up to three courses per semester during the traditional Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.

Please visit mass.edu for award amounts and additional information for the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program, or refer to the ECE Scholarship Guide for further guidance.

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

• Physically reside in Massachusetts for at least one year, as of the start of the enrolled term, with an intent to remain in Massachusetts consistent with Board of Higher Education policy; and
• Have approved eligibility status as a “High School Completer,” per the Massachusetts tuition equity law, or be a U.S. Citizen, permanent legal resident, or non-citizen eligible under Title IV regulations.
• Have applied for financial aid, using the standard Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a FAFSA equivalent application authorized by the Department of Higher Education.
• 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 approved degree program, full or part-time.
• Be employed as an educator or provider in an early education and care program (FCC, center-based, after/out-of-school time, residential placement, or contracted FCC system) that is licensed or funded by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC).
  
  Or Be considered a “prospective student” which is defined as unemployed or not employed as an early education and care provider at a facility or program, licensed or funded by the Department of Early Education and Care, but plan to enroll in an approved course of study as defined in the eligibility requirements of the ECE Scholarship.
  • Prospective students must demonstrate they are seeking employment with an early education and care provider in the commonwealth and will have one year to secure eligible employment.
• 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

Contact the McKeown School of Education for a current list of eligible undergraduate and graduate programs of study.

• Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Create a MASSAid Student Portal account 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 active EEC PQ Registry Number, visit the PQ Registry.