Early childhood scholarships are programs that provide financial assistance to students who are pursuing a degree in early childhood education. These scholarships can be awarded by government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private foundations, and are typically awarded based on academic merit or financial need.
The goal of early childhood scholarships is to encourage more people to enter the field of early childhood education, which is critical for ensuring that young children receive the high-quality care and education that they need to succeed in school and in life.
By providing financial assistance to students who are pursuing a degree in early childhood education, these scholarships help to make the field more accessible and attractive to a wider range of individuals.
If you are interested in pursuing a degree in early childhood education and are looking for financial assistance, you can check here for the available scholarships in your area.
Many organizations offer scholarships specifically for early childhood education students, so be sure to explore all of your options and apply to as many scholarships as possible to increase your chances of receiving financial support.
TYPES OF EARLY CHILDHOOD SCHOLARSHIPS
- Ann Eddy Early Childhood Education Scholarship
- Bright Futures National Scholarships
- Daniels Boundless Opportunities Scholarships
- Diane Trister Dodge Scholarship Award
- Georgia DECAL Scholarship Program
- Early Achievers Scholarships
- Ernest C. Ball Scholarship Fund
- Excellence in Early Childhood Scholarships
- Idaho STARS Academic Scholarships
- Jack Kinnaman Memorial Scholarship
- PATCH Early Childhood Education Scholarships
- TEACH Grant Program
Ann Eddy Early Childhood Education Scholarship
The Ann Eddy Early Childhood Education Scholarship has been established in recognition of the outstanding career of Ann Eddy, who served as an elementary school teacher, curriculum coordinator, reading specialist, and pre-kindergarten program supervisor.
The scholarship will award $500 annually through the Public Education Foundation of Marion County (PEFMC).
To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be graduating high school seniors who reside in Marion County, Florida, and plan to pursue a major in early childhood education. Additionally, recipients must be enrolled full-time in an accredited four-year institution in Florida.
All applicants are required to submit a letter of recommendation, grade/test report, and a 300-word essay outlining their reasons for choosing a career in early childhood education. The deadline Ann Eddy Early Childhood Education Scholarship.
Bright Futures National Scholarships
The Bright Futures National Scholarships are designed to provide financial support to aspiring teachers who are committed to caring for and educating young children.
The scholarship values range from $250 to $1,000 and are awarded annually. To be eligible, candidates must be enrolled full-time in an accredited U.S. institution, pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in early childhood education, and maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0.
Additionally, candidates must have completed at least 30 credits of college coursework, possess at least nine months of experience working with children under the age of 8, and demonstrate potential as a teacher in this age group.
Preference will be given to non-traditional students, individuals who are transitioning careers, people of color, and students who have overcome obstacles. The Deadline for the bright futures National scholarship is June 11th and you can visit their official page here.
Daniels Boundless Opportunities Scholarships
The Daniels Boundless Opportunities Scholarship, named after cable television pioneer Bill Daniels, partners with universities to provide funding to highly motivated non-traditional students seeking to improve their lives and the lives of their families through higher education.
Two and four-year colleges across Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming offer scholarships of up to $5,000 to cover expenses including tuition, fees, campus-provided health insurance, room and board, textbooks, and transportation.
To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be adults returning to college, GED recipients, foster care youth, juvenile justice youth, returning military veterans, individuals pursuing EMT training, and/or individuals seeking certification in early childhood education (ECE).
The Deadline for Daniels Boundless Opportunities Scholarships is June 1st and you can visit their official page here.
Diane Trister Dodge Scholarship Award
The Diane Trister Dodge Scholarship Award, sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), is granted annually to student members who are committed to pursuing professional development to enhance their skills in the field of early childhood education.
To qualify, candidates must complete an online application, submit a current resume, provide a letter of recommendation, and write five 300-word essay responses describing their professional accomplishments working with young children under the age of 8.
Scholarship recipients will receive full reimbursement for registration, travel, meals, and accommodations to attend the National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development that year
The Deadline for Diane Trister Dodge Scholarship Award is March 1st and you can visit their official page here.
Georgia DECAL Scholarship Program
Through the Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), Georgia hosts a statewide scholarship program to cover 80% of tuition costs with a $500 stipend to students pursuing an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in early childhood education or child care administration.
Applicants must be enrolled in a public or private Georgia institution accredited by the SACS, be at least 18 years old, have U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency, be currently employed with a child care learning center licensed by Bright from the Start, and have at least six consecutive months of childcare experience.
To renew funds, recipients must successfully maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.5. The Deadline for Georgia DECAL Scholarship Program is June 30th and you can visit their official page here.
Early Achievers Scholarships
Funded by the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Grant, the Early Achievers Scholarships are granted for up to $6,000 annually to students currently pursuing a CDA certificate, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education.
Eligible candidates must be employed at an Early Achievers participating facility, reside within Washington, have at least six months of experience in childhood education, enroll in at least 12 credits each academic year, and maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.0.
Recipients will need to agree to remain employed by an Early Achievers facility for one year following graduation. The Deadline for Early Achievers Scholarships is June 30th and you can visit their official page here.
Ernest C. Ball Scholarship Fund
At the University of Memphis, the College of Education, Health and Human Services (CEHHS) has created the Ernest C. Ball Scholarship Fund to provide $500 to $1,000 each year to honor his 21-year career as the superintendent of Memphis City Schools.
Qualified applicants must be seeking a bachelor’s or master’s degree in education, have formally declared a concentration in early childhood education, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, reside within Tennessee, maintain full-time enrollment, and have at least sophomore-level status. Selection will be based on academic ability, financial need, community involvement, and leadership qualities.
The Deadline for Ernest C. Ball Scholarship Fund is January 26th and you can visit their official page here.
Excellence in Early Childhood Scholarships
Within the Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership, Walden University offers the Excellence in Early Childhood Scholarships to give $20,000 to four incoming students interested in enrolling full-time in the university’s online early childhood academic programs.
Eligible applicants must be planning to pursue a B.S. in Child Development, M.S. in Early Childhood Studies, Ed.S. in Early Childhood, Ed.D. in Early Childhood Education, or Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in Early Childhood.
Candidates must submit a letter of reference, current resume, official scholarship application form, and a 1,000-word essay describing how they’ve demonstrated excellence in the early childhood field.
The Deadline for Ernest C. Ball Scholarship Fund is March 17th and July 15th and you can visit their official page here.
Idaho STARS Academic Scholarships
Designed to cover 100% of tuition costs, the Idaho STARS Academic Scholarships are awarded annually to childcare professionals statewide who are taking post-secondary courses toward a technical certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or development at an accredited Idaho college.
Qualified candidates must work in a state-licensed child care program that operates hours beyond the school day, work with young children at least 25 hours per week, be enrolled in the Professional Development System Registry, and have completed at least one year of employment at a sponsoring early childhood program.
The Deadline for Idaho STARS Academic Scholarships is September 30th and you can visit their official page here.
Jack Kinnaman Memorial Scholarship
Established by the National Education Association (NEA) in memory of the former Advisory Council member who’s fondly remembered as Cat in the Hat, the Jack Kinnaman Memorial Scholarship is granted annually for $2,000 to financially needy college students who need a helping hand to afford to become an educator.
Qualified members must participate in NEA student activities, be enrolling full-time in an accredited teacher education program in the United States, maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.5, and exhibit financial need.
Applicants must submit an official transcript, two letters of recommendation, and a 200-word personal statement describing their career goals in teaching.
The Deadline for Jack Kinnaman Memorial Scholarship is April 15th and you can visit their official page here.
PATCH Early Childhood Education Scholarships
In collaboration with the Hawaii Community Foundation, the PATCH Early Childhood Education Scholarships are awarded three times a year for $750 as tuition reimbursement for early childhood education professionals pursuing college coursework to increase their knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices.
Eligible applicants must be taking coursework at an accredited Hawaii college, complete college credits related to early childhood education, and be currently employed full-time at a licensed child care facility in Hawaii. Preference will be given to individuals using the scholarship to pursue their CDA credential.
The Deadline for PATCH Early Childhood Education Scholarships is January 15th, May 31st, and August 31st. You can visit their official page here.
TEACH Grant Program
Administered through the U.S. Department of Education, the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program is designed to provide up to $4,000 annually to incoming and current college students who are completing undergraduate or graduate coursework needed to begin a career in teaching.
Qualified students must be enrolled in a grant-eligible degree program, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25, demonstrate significant financial need, and be U.S. citizens. Recipients must sign an agreement to work at an elementary school, secondary school, child care center, or other educational service agency serving low-income families upon graduation.
The Deadline for TEACH Grant Program is July 1st. You can visit their official page here.
Conclusion
If you’re passionate about teaching young children and considering pursuing a degree in early childhood education, you may be concerned about the high costs of higher education.
However, there are many excellent scholarships available to help fund your studies and make your dreams of becoming an early childhood educator a reality.
Check out this list of top-notch early childhood education scholarships to help you achieve your teaching aspirations and provide our nation’s youngest learners with the education and care they deserve.
