Massachusetts Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program

The Massachusetts Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program is designed to provide financial assistance for prospective and currently employed early childhood and out-of-school educators and providers who enroll in a certificate, associates, bachelor's, or master's degree program in an approved area of study. Eligible majors are 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 or master's programs include these same categories as well as Early Childhood Research, Policy, and Practice; Education Entrepreneurship; and Learning Sciences. The program was funded as a pilot initiative by the Legislature for the purpose of increasing 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. Applicants 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. Applicants must 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. Applicants must apply for financial aid using the FAFSA or a FAFSA equivalent application. Applicants may 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). Applicants may also be considered a "prospective student" who plans 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. Recipients must acknowledge that eligible employment DOES NOT include any part of a public school system; positions in public schools (paraprofessionals, teachers, guidance counselors, etc.) are NOT eligible. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance for more information.