Suggested Financial Assistance Options for Degree Attainment
The 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) | Teacher Education And Compensation Helps Early Childhood® Pennsylvania Scholarship (T.E.A.C.H.)* | 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 (DC) School-Age Professional Credential (SAPC) |
Associate (AA) Degree Bachelor’s (BA) Degree PK-4 Certification Level I & II |
Child Development Associate (CDA) Associate (AA) Degree Bachelor’s (BA) Degree Credentials that stack into degree programs or advance career pathways, may also include apprenticeship |
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 institute of higher education (IHE), etc. Covers any billable items. | Awards depend on income, tax filing status, cost of attendance at your institute of higher education (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, but there is an employment commitment required. | No, as long as student remains in ECE Field (any setting serving children birth though 8) in Pennsylvania 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. |
| Learn More | Visit the Rising STARS Tuition Assistance page. | Visit Pennsylvania Child Care Associations (PACCA)’s website. | Contact your ECE PDO. | Visit the studentaid.gov website. | Visit the studentaid.gov website. |
| Contact | cdavoucher@pakeys.org | teachinfo@pacca.org |
PHMC ecepdo@phmc.org (Southeast Region) or PASSHE passhe-pdo@ship.edu (All Other Regions) |
N/A | N/A |
*NOTE:T.E.A.C.H. 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.
**NOTE: This option may have a recipient priority.
Other Options To Consider:
- Scholarship Opportunities
- Membership-Based Organizations (Rotary Clubs, etc.)
- Faith-Based Organizations
- Employer Sponsored Tuition Assistance
- Specialization Scholarships
Navigating Financial Assistance with the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL)
featuring Colin Day, Director of Communications