News

May 30, 2023

Fall 2023 T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Application Now Open

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.

News

March 3, 2023

T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships – Supports for ECE Professionals to Earn a Degree Debt Free!

Are you an early childhood education professional interested in furthering your education? Join the Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) for this information session, and learn more about the T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Program.

T.E.A.C.H. is a unique opportunity that provides financial and other supports to help ECE professionals enroll in college, earn their degree debt free, and earn more money.

Session Details

Tuesday, March 14 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Virtual

Register

Learn More

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Pennsylvania is supported by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) of Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services (DHS) and Pennsylvania’s Department of Education (PDE).

Join us for this information session to hear from T.E.A.C.H. Director Laurie Litz and learn more about:

  • Higher education options and selecting a degree program,
  • Next steps to enrolling in college,
  • Timelines for enrolling in Summer or Fall 2023 semesters,
  • How to access a variety of financial supports, including the T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Program, and
  • Time for Q&A to help attendees develop a personalized plan for next steps.

To learn more, visit the PACCA website.

News

May 6, 2022

CDA Scholarship Available for Family and Group Child Care Home Providers

Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and the PA Key invite Family Child Care Home and Group Child Care Home providers to apply for a scholarship to complete a Child Development Associate (CDA) through Better Kid Care.

About

Better Kid Care’s CDA coursework is independent, self-paced and exclusively online. This scholarship opportunity cannot be used for CDA renewals.

Once awarded, recipients will receive a payment code to access the online coursework through Better Kid Care. This program also requires the purchase of a CDA textbook package and this cost can be reimbursed through the Rising STARS Tuition Assistance program. The Pennsylvania Key will provide instructions for all of this and offer ongoing logistical support.

All coursework must be completed on or before Nov. 30, 2022.

Apply

Family Child Care Home or Group Child Care Home providers interested in this opportunity must submit a completed application via Microsoft Forms for consideration by Sunday, May 15, 2022.

Questions?

For more information or questions, contact Amy Barrett at amybar@pakeys.org.

News

November 8, 2021

T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Spring 2022 Deadline

Are you interested in attending college in Spring 2022? The Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (T.E.A.C.H) Scholarship application period is now open!

T.E.A.C.H. 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.

More Information

T.E.A.C.H. applications must be complete and submitted with all required documentation/ information by Friday, November 14, 2021, to be considered for the spring 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. For a full list of eligibility requirements, visit the PACCA website.

News

July 15, 2020

T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Fall 2020 Deadline

Early childhood education professionals interested in attending college for the fall semester can submit applications to receive a T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education And Compensation Helps) Scholarship.

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
    • be interested in pursuing coursework at a participating college toward a degree or credential in early childhood.

Scholarship awards are dependent upon the availability of funds and priorities of funders. Other eligibility criteria may apply are subject to change without notice. See the brochure.

Application Details

To be considered for the Fall 2020 semester, T.E.A.C.H. applications must be completed and submitted with all required documentation by Friday, August 7, 2020. 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. New scholarship awards for the Fall 2020 semester will be dependent upon funding availability at that time.

Interested applicants should also begin the college admissions process now and contact an early childhood education (ECE) advisor at their intended college/university. This helps to ensure that scholarship applicants are 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.

Submit an Application

To download a scholarship application, visit the PACCA website. Completed applications must be submitted to PACCA by Friday, August 7 through one of the following methods:

    • Fax: 717.657.0959
    • Mail: 20 Erford Road, Suite 302
      Lemoyne, PA 17043

More Information

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

News

January 8, 2020

T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships for Family Child Care Providers

Did you know that T.E.A.C.H. has scholarship models specifically available for family child care providers? If you are a family provider who is considering pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education, T.E.A.C.H. can help you get started and graduate debt-free! Join the Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) for their webinar on January 15 to learn more.

About

Join this webinar to learn more about the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Pennsylvania Scholarship Program and how it works for family child care providers. Presenters will provide an overview of scholarship requirements, the application process, financial aid types, and how to get enrolled in college for the upcoming semester(s). Time for questions will be provided.

Registration

To register, visit the webinar link.

News

November 6, 2019

T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Spring 2020 Deadline

Early childhood education professionals interested in attending college for the spring semester (beginning January 2020) can submit applications to receive a T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education And Compensation Helps) scholarship.

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);
    • be interested in pursuing coursework at a participating college toward a degree or credential in early childhood; and
    • Bachelor’s degree applicants must meet additional eligibility criteria, which includes having at least 55 transferable credits towards a degree in Early Childhood Education or equivalent.

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

Application Details

To be considered for the Spring 2020 semester, T.E.A.C.H. applications must be completed and submitted with all required documentation by Friday, November 15, 2019. 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. New scholarship awards for the Spring 2020 semester will be dependent upon funding availability at that time.

Interested applicants should also begin the college admissions process now and contact an early childhood education advisor at their intended college/university.  This helps to ensure that scholarship applicants are 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.

Click here to download a scholarship application.

More Information

To learn more, visit the PACCA website.

For questions, contact a T.E.A.C.H. Counselor at 717-657-9000 or teachinfo@pacca.org.

*Information provided by PACCA

News

May 29, 2019

Rising STARS Tuition Assistance Sign Up Moving to PD Registry

Beginning Fall 2019, applicants will apply for the Rising STARS Tuition Assistance Program through the PD Registry.

About the Program

The Rising STARS Tuition Assistance Program pays 95% of tuition costs for eligible college coursework taken by early learning professionals, with a maximum benefit of $6,000 per individual each fiscal year (July 1 – June 30). The program covers tuition costs only and does not include books, materials, or fees. Tuition costs net of other funding sources such as scholarships, stipends, discounts, or grants (except the Pell Grant) are used to determine the amount of assistance. It is recommended completed applications be submitted at least four weeks prior to the start of the course, or prior to the tuition due date, whichever is first.

Access the Program Before Fall 2019

During the transition, The Pennsylvania Key is still currently accepting applications for the 2018-19 fiscal year and summer classes. Early learning professionals taking coursework beginning before fall semester are welcome to apply using the current process in the Portal. At this time, applications will not be reviewed for the fall semester.

More Information

For new eligibility requirements and to stay up-to-date on the ongoing changes, visit the Pennsylvania Key website.

*Information provided by The Pennsylvania Key

News

February 11, 2019

NAEYC Offering Scholarships for Emerging Leaders

NAEYC will offer six scholarships to individuals who can demonstrate their potential as emerging leaders in early childhood education.

2019 NAEYC Professional Learning Institute
June 2-5
Long Beach, CA

This competitive application process is open to current NAEYC members. Those awarded will receive complimentary registration, hotel accommodations, and a travel stipend (travel provided only within the United States) for the 2019 Professional Learning Institute. Previous scholarship recipients are not eligible to apply. The deadline for submitting an application is March 15, 2019. To learn more and apply, visit the NAEYC website.