Early Childhood Development Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority

Overview

Description: The Early Childhood Development Scholarship helps Kentuckians who work in daycare and preschool settings earn credentials, certificates, and degrees in early childhood education. The scholarship supports career advancement by covering approved training and education at participating institutions. Recipients must meet employment and academic progress requirements and agree to a service commitment tied to the credential pursued. The program focuses on strengthening the early childhood workforce across Kentucky.

• Supports education and credentialing for early childhood professionals in Kentucky.
• Applies to daycare and preschool staff pursuing approved credentials or degrees.
• Requires employment and academic progress commitments from recipients.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility: Applicants must meet residency, citizenship, enrollment, employment, academic, and financial standing criteria to qualify for the scholarship. Candidates must be enrolled in a qualifying program at a participating institution and maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by that institution. Employment requirements include working at least 20 hours per week in a participating early childhood facility or serving as a preschool associate teacher in a state-funded preschool. Certain training funds and unpaid obligations may affect eligibility, and recipients must agree to a service commitment based on the credential pursued.

• Be a Kentucky resident.
• Be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident.
• Be enrolled in a qualifying program at a participating institution pursuing an approved credential.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress as determined by the institution.
• Be employed at least 20 hours weekly in a participating early childhood facility or as a preschool associate teacher in a state-funded preschool program.
• Not be eligible for state or federal training funds through Head Start, a public preschool program, or First Steps.
• Have no unpaid financial obligation to KHEAA or to any other Title IV program.
• Agree to a service commitment based on the credential pursued.

• Residency and citizenship are required.
• Employment and academic progress are mandatory conditions.
• Certain other training funds and outstanding obligations can disqualify applicants.

Approved Programs of Study

Programs of Study: The scholarship covers a defined set of early childhood credentials and degrees approved for the program. Eligible programs range from credentialing options through graduate education, and some programs require approval by the Early Childhood Development Authority. Candidates must pursue one of the approved majors at a participating institution to receive scholarship support. Program approval ensures alignment with state workforce needs and credentialing standards.

• Child Development Associate Credential
• Associate’s degree in early childhood education
• Bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary early childhood education or a related program approved by the Early Childhood Development Authority
• Master’s degree in interdisciplinary early childhood education
• Kentucky Early Childhood Development Director’s Certificate

• Includes credential, associate, bachelor’s, and master’s level options.
• Some programs require approval by the Early Childhood Development Authority.
• Must be offered by a participating institution to qualify for funding.