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Tag: teach scholarship

News

April 14, 2026

TEACH Scholarship Application Available for Fall Semester

Early childhood educators who want to advance their education while continuing to work can now apply for the TEACH scholarship for the fall.

Learn More

The scholarship is aimed at supporting both staff retention and program quality by enabling working educators to advance their education.

Those interested in receiving a scholarship for the fall semester, which begins in mid- to late August, should apply by Friday, July 11.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but priority consideration is given to complete applications that are submitted by the deadline. Late or incomplete applications may experience processing delays.

TEACH is supported by the state’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and the state’s Department of Education. The licensed program is administered by the Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA).

For information on eligibility, program requirements, how to apply, and how to download an application can be found on PACCA’s website.

News

March 17, 2026

PACCA Releases New TEACH Scholarship Tip Sheets for Providers and Early Educators

The Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) has published several new TEACH Scholarship tip sheets to help make college access and professional development easier to achieve.

The tip sheets include resources for child care providers, early educators, high school students, and early childhood programs.

Learn More

The TEACH (Teacher Education and Compensation Helps) Early Childhood Pennsylvania Scholarship Program offers early learning professionals a debt-free higher education, supporting them while they work to become teachers and earn higher wages.

The new resource for family child care providers is TEACH Scholarships for Family Child Care Providers, which explains how TEACH works and how it can support professional growth with one’s unique needs in mind.

A new resource for early educators, College Enrollment Checklist for ECE Professionals, is a detailed road map to help one get started on their education journey.

High school students interested in early learning careers will soon be able to view the new College Enrollment Checklist for High School Students resource on PACCA’s website. It’s a step-by-step guide to help the next generation plan a career in the early childhood education field.

Making Release Time Work, which is intended for early childhood programs, provides practical strategies to help employers support staff in TEACH and receive financial assistance. Another resource, Sponsoring Staff in TEACH, discusses what employers need to know to invest in their staff with confidence.

All tip sheets are available in English and Spanish. Resources can be found on PACCA’s websites for early educators and employers.

News

November 11, 2025

ECE Professionals Must Submit T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Application for Spring by Nov. 14

Early childhood education professionals interested in attending college for the upcoming spring semester should apply for the TEACH scholarship by the November deadline.

Learn More

Applications for the TEACH Early Childhood Pennsylvania Scholarship must be completed and submitted with all required documentation and information by Friday, November 14 to be considered for the spring semester.

For more information on eligibility or to download an application, visit the PACCA website. For questions, contact a TEACH counselor at teachinfo@pacca.org.

About TEACH

The TEACH (Teacher Education And Compensation Helps) Early Childhood Pennsylvania Scholarship Program offers early learning professionals a debt-free higher education, supporting them while they work to become stronger teachers and earn thriving wages.

By building a more educated and fairly compensated workforce, TEACH raises the quality of care and education that Pennsylvania’s youngest children receive, setting them on a path to future learning and success.

News

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.

News

January 26, 2022

T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships for STAR 1 and 2 Providers Available

Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development & Early Learning (OCDEL) has provided Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) with additional funds to support approximately 100 more T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education And Compensation Helps) Early Childhood Pennsylvania Scholarship Program scholarships in this fiscal year. These scholarships are specifically for staff employed in STAR 1 and STAR 2 programs.

About T.E.A.C.H.

The program works with early childhood providers, colleges and child care staff to offer scholarship programs and support systems that improve the education and compensation of child care workers. The scholarships will provide additional supports including:

  • A $200 completion stipend to scholarship recipients upon successful completion of their first semester

  • Increased release time reimbursement rates to employers ($15 per hour)

  • Training and technical assistance for employers (see webinar information below)

  • Enhanced counseling sessions (day and evening) for staff related to the college application/admissions processes and T.E.A.C.H. application

Many colleges have late start spring semesters in which staff can still enroll. This additional funding is available for this fiscal year only (through June 30, 2022).

Apply

T.E.A.C.H. applications must be complete and submitted with all required documentation/information. 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.

Completed applications for late start Spring or Summer 2022 semesters 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 or teachinfo@pacca.org.