May 27, 2025 PACCA Partners with Alvernia University to Offer T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships The Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) has established a new partnership with Alvernia University to offer T.E.A.C.H. bachelor’s degree scholarships. Learn More The university is now offering a fully online, accelerated Early Childhood Education bachelor’s degree program with PK-4 teacher certification. More details for the degree program include: Fully online with observation and student teaching completed local to the student Mindfully designed with flexibility for working adults Generous transfer credit policy as well as a streamlined associate to bachelor’s degree pathway program Approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education The university is a PACCA/T.E.A.C.H. scholarship-approved institution Those interested in learning more about the program can attend a virtual information session on Wednesday, June 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to register in advance for the session. After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email with a link to log onto the screen.
May 13, 2025 PACCA, Alvernia University to Host Virtual Session on New T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships The Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) will hold a virtual information session on a new partnership with Alvernia University to offer T.E.A.C.H. bachelor’s degree scholarships. Learn More The university is now offering a fully online, accelerated Early Childhood Education bachelor’s degree program with PK-4 teacher certification. More details for the degree program include: Fully online with observation and student teaching completed local to the student Mindfully designed with flexibility for working adults Generous transfer credit policy as well as a streamlined associate to bachelor’s degree pathway program Approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education The university is a PACCA/T.E.A.C.H. scholarship-approved institution Those interested in learning more about the program can attend a virtual information session on Wednesday, June 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to register in advance for the session. After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email with a link to log onto the screen.
April 22, 2025 ECE Professionals Must Submit T.E.A.C.H. Application for Fall Semester by July 11 Early childhood education professionals interested in attending college for the upcoming fall semester should apply to T.E.A.C.H. by the July deadline. Learn More T.E.A.C.H. applications must be completed and submitted with all required documentation and information by Friday, July 11 to be considered for the fall semester that will begin in mid-August. PACCA will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis. However, incomplete applications and those received after the July deadline will not receive priority for consideration. New scholarship awards for the fall semester will depend on funding availability. Applicants should begin the college admissions process now and contact an ECE advisor at their intended college or university. This helps to ensure that scholarship applicants are admitted and can register for courses if they receive a T.E.A.C.H. scholarship. T.E.A.C.H. can provide contact information for ECE advisors at partnering institutions. Information on availability and program requirements are available on PACCA’s website, where scholarship applications can also be downloaded. Applicants can contact T.E.A.C.H. counselors on the website. Any questions about scholarship eligibility or requirements can be sent to a T.E.A.C.H. counselor at teachinfo@pacca.org.
December 17, 2024 PACCA Releases Report on 2023-24 T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship The Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) released its annual report on the scholarships it provided to early learning professionals during the 2023-24 Fiscal Year. Learn More The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Pennsylvania Scholarship Program offers early learning professionals a debt-free higher education. The scholarship aims to raise the quality of care and education that teachers provide to children in their classrooms. In the 2023-24 Fiscal Year, PACCA provided scholarships to 910 early learning professionals who were employed in 560 child care programs in Pennsylvania. Recipients earned 13 to 15 credits last year, with an average 3.34 GPA (for associate degrees) and 3.6 (for bachelor’s degrees). Associate degree scholars increased their salaries by 14.6%, while bachelor’s degree scholars increased theirs by 12.6%. Sponsoring employers experienced a 95% retention rate of scholarship recipients. The full report on the impact of the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship on early childhood education professionals and programs is available on PACCA’s website.
October 15, 2024 PACCA Accepting T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Applications for Spring Semester The Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) is accepting T.E.A.C.H. scholarship applications for the spring 2025 semester. Learn More Early childhood education professionals who are interested in attending college for the spring semester that begins in January should apply to T.E.A.C.H. as soon as possible. Interested applicants should also begin the college admissions process now and contact an early childhood education advisor at their intended college or university. This helps to ensure that scholarship applicants are admitted to their school 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 advisors at partnering institutions. Applicants must complete and submit all required documentation by Friday, Nov. 15 to be considered for the spring 2025 semester. PACCA will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis, however, incomplete applications and those received after the November date will not receive priority for consideration. New scholarship awards for the spring semester will be dependent upon funding availability at that time. More information on eligibility or program requirements can be found – and applications can be downloaded – on PACCA’s website. Counselors can be contacted on T.E.A.C.H.’s website.
September 11, 2024 T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships Now Available at Alvernia University The Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) will hold information sessions for T.E.A.C.H. scholarships that are now available at Alvernia University. Learn More PACCA has established a new partnership with Alvernia University to offer T.E.A.C.H. bachelor’s degree scholarships. The school offers a full online, accelerated, Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree program with PK-4 teacher certification. Information sessions will be held to provide information on the degree program and scholarship. Sessions will be held on: Friday, Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Registration is now open for the Sept. 13 and Sept. 18 events.
T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships Now Available at Alvernia University The Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) will hold information sessions for T.E.A.C.H. scholarships that are now available at Alvernia University. Learn More PACCA has established a new partnership with Alvernia University to offer T.E.A.C.H. bachelor’s degree scholarships. The school offers a full online, accelerated, Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s Degree program with PK-4 teacher certification. Information sessions will be held to provide information on the degree program and scholarship. Sessions will be held on: Friday, Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Registration is now open for the Sept. 13 and Sept. 18 events.
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: 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. 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. 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. Commitment – Participants agree to continue working in their child care program for one year after each scholarship year. 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.
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.
