Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program during the 2024-25 academic year, an applicant must:

• be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen (FSA Handbook Volume 1, Chapter 2).
• be a member of the incumbent workforce, currently working or having worked in the early childhood industry (in either a licensed or license-exempt facility), including home-based child care (e.g., family, friend, neighbor), center-/community-based care, Preschool for All programs, school-based preschool settings, and Head Start programs, that serve children from birth to age 5. Acceptable positions include teachers, assistant teachers, directors, family child care providers and assistants
  • applicants must provide documentation confirming their current membership in the Gateways to Opportunity® Registry
• be enrolled or accepted for enrollment on a full- or part-time (at least 3 credit hours) basis at the undergraduate level at a public or non-profit private 2- or 4-year Gateways-entitled and Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity member institution, and pursuing at least one of the following:
  • an Associate of Applied Science degree (or related certificate) in early childhood education or an associate degree with a concentration in early childhood at an approved college; or
  • a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, with or without a Professional Educator License.
• maintain satisfactory academic progress as established by the college.
• complete the application process by submitting an Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program application and either a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) or, if applicable, an Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid on or before the ISAC-established date for priority access to funding.
• be certified as meeting eligibility requirements by the college at which the scholarship will be used.
• not be in default on any student loan, nor owe a refund on any State or federal grant.

Students do not have to demonstrate financial need to receive this scholarship, although applicants are prioritized for awarding based on their Student Aid Index (SAI) (from information on the FAFSA or Alternative Application), from lowest to highest.