Created in 2007 by the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), The Pennsylvania Key implements the work and supports the policies developed and managed by OCDEL. Learn More. >
Created in 2007 by the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), The Pennsylvania Key implements the work and supports the policies developed and managed by OCDEL. Learn More. >OCDEL and the Pennsylvania Key have developed an initiative to better support the Early Childhood Education workforce in Pennsylvania. Foreign Degree evaluations for individuals will be provided by the Educational Credential Evaluators at no cost. More information can be found at pakeys.org/international-education-evaluation.
If you are in the process of getting your international transcript or diplomas evaluated, you may still submit a voucher following the FDE Reimbursement process (pakeys.org/fde-process). This program will end on Dec. 31. 2025.
If you have not started the FDE process, begin the new process below!
The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) supports degree attainment for early childhood education (ECE) professionals through several programs. At this time, OCDEL would like to recognize the following financial assistance options for degree attainment:
| Rising STARS Tuition Assistance (RSTA) | Early Childhood Education Professional Development Organizations (ECE PDOs) | Federal Pell Grant | Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form | ||
| Programs of study eligible to be funded: | Director Credential, School Age Professional Credential | Associates Degree, Bachelors Degree, PK-4 Cert Level I & II |
CDA, AA, BA, credentials that stack into degree programs, can also include apprenticeship. (entire program, not just ECE courses) |
Undergraduate programs of study | Any undergraduate or graduate programs of study |
| Does NOT fund: | Degree programs | Non-certification Master’s, related degrees, non-degree coursework | Graduate programs, credentials that do not stack into degree programs. | Graduate programs of study | Non-degree coursework |
| Items covered: | Tuition (95%), book reimbursement, facility support | Tuition & most fees (95%), book reimbursement, travel stipend, paid release time, compensation (raise and/or bonus) | Tuition and additional items; coverage is comprehensive, and based on individual needs. Items covered can include but are not limited to: tutoring, travel, childcare, etc. | Amount awarded depends on number and level of degrees previously obtained, financial need, cost of attendance at your IHE, etc. Covers any billable items. | Awards depend on income, tax filing status, cost of attendance at your IHE, etc. Covers any billable items. |
| Will I have to pay it back? | No, if student remains in a DHS licensed center for 2 years. | No, however an employment commitment is required. | No, as long as student remains in ECE Field (any setting serving children birth though 8) in PA for 2 years after completing PDO coursework. | No, in most circumstances. | Yes. This is a traditional “student loan”. |
| Annual Maximum | up to $8,000 | up to 15-18 credits | Individually determined. | N/A | N/A |
| May be adjusted/reapply on an annual basis: | Reapply each semester. | No. | Reapply annually. | Renew application annually. | Renew application annually. |
| Eligibility Requirements |
Yes. |
Yes. |
Pennsylvania resident working 25 hours/week in a DHS licensed program. |
Yes. |
Yes. |
| Recipient Priorities? | N/A | TEACH Scholarships require employer sponsorship; sponsoring employers agree to pay a percentage of tuition/fees (typically 5%), provide paid release time and a raise and/or bonus at the end of each scholarship year. | This option may have a recipient priority. | N/A | N/A |
| Learn More | pakeys.org | pacca.org |
PASSHE ecepdo.org PHMC ecepdo.phmc.org Find Your PDO pakeys.org/pdos |
studentaid.gov | |
| Contact | pakeyvoucherprogram@pakeys.org | teachinfo@pacca.org |
PASSHE passhe-pdo@ship.edu PHMC ecepdo@phmc.org Find Your PDO pakeys.org/pdos |
N/A | N/A |
