September 15, 2022 Public Service Loan Forgiveness for ECE Workforce The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in financial hardship for many, including members of the early care and education (ECE) workforce. Educators who work for a qualified employer—including many Head Start, preschool and child care programs—may now be eligible for federal student loan forgiveness, even if they were not eligible before. Learn More The Department of Education announced major changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program for a limited time. Some borrowers will need to consolidate their federal loans and/or submit a PSLF form by October 31, 2022 to take advantage of this opportunity. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) ACF has created a PSLF landing page that includes resources including a March 31 webinar hosted by the Office of Early Childhood Development, in partnership with the Department of Education. For a limited time under the current PSLF waiver: You may receive credit for past periods of repayment that would otherwise not qualify for PSLF. If you have FFEL, Perkins, or other federal student loans, you’ll need to consolidate your loans into a Direct Consolidation Loan to qualify for PSLF both in general, and under the waiver. You can log into Aid Summary to find out how many and what types of loans you have. Before consolidating, make sure to check to see if you work for a qualifying employer. Past periods of repayment will now count regardless of whether you actually made a payment, made that payment on time, for the full amount due, or under a qualifying repayment plan. If you work in a child care center, family child care home, Head Start program, or other school setting, your employer must still be a not-for-profit or U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government organization. (This has not changed). Most early educators who are self-employed or work at for-profit businesses do not qualify. Periods of deferment or forbearance, and periods of default, continue to not qualify. Qualification and Application Details The limited waiver opportunity will be offered until October 31, 2022. After this period, normal PSLF requirements will apply. More information on this limited Public Service Loan Forgiveness waiver, including how to qualify and apply, can be found online.
March 7, 2022 Summer 2022 T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Application Are you interested in attending college in Summer 2022? The Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (T.E.A.C.H) Scholarship application period is now open for summer semesters beginning in May or June! About T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship 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. The scholarship: Pays for a percentage of the cost of tuition and books. Provides a travel stipend each semester. Reimburses child care centers for a percentage of the release time given. Provides counseling and administrative support for the child care program. Eligibility To be 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 be interested in pursuing coursework at a participating college toward a degree or credential in early childhood. Apply T.E.A.C.H. applications must be complete and submitted with all required documentation/ information by Friday, April 8, 2022, to be considered for the Summer 2022 semester. The Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis, however, incomplete applications and applications received after this date will not receive priority for consideration. To be considered for the Summer 2022 semester, completed applications must be submitted to PACCA through one of the following methods: Email: teachinfo@pacca.org Fax: 717.657.0959 Mail: 20 Erford Road, Suite 302, Lemoyne, PA 17043 For questions about scholarship eligibility or requirements, contact a T.E.A.C.H. Counselor at 717.657.9000. Watch the T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships: Financial & Other Supports to Help ECE Professionals Earn a Degree Debt Free! webinar for more information.
March 1, 2019 Annual Celebration Dinner Join Trying Together and early childhood colleagues at the Annual Celebration Dinner to celebrate the work you do for young children. Enjoy dinner, a photo booth, and prizes. Details Thursday, April 4, 2019 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. Carnegie Museum of Art 4400 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Registration Is Now Closed Individual Ticket: $12.00 Director’s Table (10 Tickets): $100 A buffet meal will be served. Please indicate at time of purchase if you require gluten-or dairy-free options or a kosher meal. Limited quantities will be available. If you are still interested in a ticket, Trying Together may be able to accommodate the request. Please contact Sharon Seitam at 412.421.3889 or sharon@tryingtogether.org for more details. Emcee Charles “Chuck” Herring, EdD Keynote Speaker Illah R. Nourbakhsh K&L Gates Professor of Ethics and Computational Technologies Director CREATE Lab Carnegie Mellon University Honoring PNC Grow Up Great 15th Anniversary Questions? Sharon Seitam, Operations Manager 412.421.3889 sharon@tryingtogether.org
