T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood^® Scholarship Program

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood^® Scholarship Program?
The T.E.A.C.H. Program:

• Links training, compensation and commitment to improving the quality of early childhood care and education experiences for young children and their families
• Provides scholarships for early childhood caregivers and center directors to work toward earning an AS degree in Early Childhood Education, a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, a Florida Staff Credential or a Director Credential
• Involves a partnership for the sharing of expenses by the caregiver receiving the scholarship, the sponsoring child care center or family child care home and the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood^® Scholarship Program

What commitments are early childhood programs required to make?
In most scholarship models early childhood programs agree to sponsor a scholarship recipient by:

• Contributing a portion of the cost of tuition
• Giving the participating recipient 3 hours of paid release time each week while classes are in session (T.E.A.C.H. reimburses the center for a part of that cost)
• Awarding the participant a bonus or raise upon completion of the contract requirements

What commitments are scholarship recipients required to make?
Scholarship recipients must:

• Attend classes and successfully complete courses
• Pay a portion of the cost of tuition and books
• Agree to remain in the sponsoring early childhood program or family child care home for a specific period of time following the completion of their contract (typically one year)

What kind of support does the T.E.A.C.H. program provide?
The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood^® Scholarship Program provides:

• The majority of the cost of tuition and books
• For most participants, a per-semester stipend for travel or for Internet access
• A bonus for caregivers and directors who complete their contract
• Counseling and administrative support

In most scholarship models, reimbursement to the early childhood program or family child care home for release time given participants

Who Is Eligible for a Scholarship?
Child care center teachers, directors, owners and family child care providers may be eligible for a scholarship if they:

• Are Florida residents
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Work in a licensed or license-exempt early child care facility, in a licensed or registered family child care home or in a licensed after school program
• Work a minimum of 20 hours per week in a classroom with a birth through pre-K population (directors/owners are exempt from the “classroom” portion of this requirement) OR work a minimum of 20 hours per week in a licensed after school program (AS scholarships are not available to ASP workers)
• Have the sponsorship of the facility or family child care home which employs them
• Work a minimum of 520 hours per year

When are the Application Deadlines for T.E.A.C.H.?

• The T.E.A.C.H. fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30. Scholarship applications should be submitted prior to June 30 of the fiscal year in which the coursework was begun. T.E.A.C.H. may not go from one fiscal year back into a previous year to reimburse or pay for expenses.
• In addition, because of conditions in our contract with our state funder, T.E.A.C.H. may not pay for or reimburse expenses incurred in any semester prior to receipt and approval of any application. An application is approved only if it meets the above eligibility requirements.
• It can take 6-12 weeks from date of receipt to process an application. Applications should be submitted well before the start of class.

How Do I Obtain a T.E.A.C.H. Application?
Eligible applicants may receive scholarship applications by calling the number above or may apply for a scholarship by printing out an application and filling it out completely. Incomplete applications will be returned to applicants.

How Can I Get More Information About T.E.A.C.H.?
To learn more about the T.E.A.C.H. Program, refer to the brochure referenced below. You may also call toll free 877-FL-TEACH (877-358-3224) or email us at TeachQuestions@thechildrensforum.com.

Staff Credential Scholarships are Available through T.E.A.C.H.?
Staff Credential Scholarships are available for:

• Birth through Five Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC)
• Florida Department of Education (DOE)
  • Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC)
  • Childcare Apprenticeship Certificate (CCAC)
  • School-Age Professional Certificate (SAPC)
• School-Age Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC)