Early childhood education professionals interested in attending college in the Fall 2023 semester can now submit applications to receive a T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education And Compensation Helps) Scholarship and earn their teaching degree at little to no personal cost.

Interested applicants must complete and submit their T.E.A.C.H. applications with all required documentation/information by Friday, July 7.

About T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships

T.E.A.C.H. encompasses several different scholarship programs. These programs help child care professionals complete coursework toward a degree or credential in early childhood and increase their compensation.

Every T.E.A.C.H. scholarship has five key components:

1. Scholarship – The scholarship covers most of the cost for tuition and books. Additionally, recipients receive a travel stipend each semester they are enrolled in class. Also, T.E.A.C.H. requires that the sponsoring child care program offer paid release time for the student to attend class, study, or handle personal needs.
2. Education – In one scholarship year, each participant must successfully complete a required number of credit hours (usually 9-15) toward a degree in early childhood education.
3. Compensation – At the end of the scholarship year, if they complete their educational requirement, participants are eligible to receive either a stipend or a raise.
4. Commitment – Participants agree to continue working in their child care program for one year after each scholarship year.
5. Counseling – Each recipient gets assigned a counselor able to assist the student in securing a scholarship, navigating the college processes, setting goals, and monitoring progress and needs.

Eligibility

The Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) offers a variety of T.E.A.C.H. scholarships to meet the needs of the early care and education workforce in center and home-based settings. Eligible applicants must:

• work a minimum of 25-30 hours per week directly with children in a DHS-certified child care program;
• make $19 or less an hour ($25 or less per hour for directors); and
• remain interested in pursuing coursework at a participating college toward a degree or credential in early childhood.

Apply

To apply, download a scholarship application on the PACCA website and submit your completed application by Friday, July 7 through one of the following methods:

• Email: teachinfo@pacca.org
• Fax: 717.657.0959
• Mail: 20 Erford Road, Suite 302, Lemoyne, PA 17043

Additionally, begin the college admissions process and contact an early childhood education (ECE) advisor at your intended college/university. This helps to ensure that scholarship applicants get admitted to their college/university and can register for courses if/when they receive a T.E.A.C.H. scholarship. T.E.A.C.H. can provide contact information for early childhood education advisors at partnering institutions if needed.

Learn More

Scholarship awards are dependent upon the availability of funds and priorities of funders.

PACCA will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis. However, incomplete applications and applications received after Friday, July 7 will not receive priority for consideration.

For questions about scholarship eligibility or requirements, contact a T.E.A.C.H. Counselor at 717.657.9000.