ISAC Student PortalAnnouncing the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program – Submit 2021-22 Application by March 1
12/03/2021
Are you an early childhood worker? Are you interested in seeking additional credentials and/or a degree in the field? If so, you may be eligible for the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program, which was created to address the shortage of early childhood educators and build a well-prepared workforce by encouraging the pursuit of credentials and advancement of already-held degrees in early childhood education.
- Awards are available for undergraduate study at public and non-profit private two- and four-year Gateways-entitled and Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity member institutions.
- For students attending community colleges and public universities, the scholarship will cover the applicant's total cost of attendance for an academic year (including summer) after subtracting other financial aid received.
- Students at participating non-profit private institutions may receive an amount no more than the cost of the most expensive program of study in the early childhood education field at an Illinois public college.
- Applicants must submit an ECACE application and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) for each academic year in which benefits are to be used.
- In order to receive priority consideration, the 2021-22 ECACE application and the 2021-22 FAFSA must be submitted on or before Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
- 2021-22 applications received after March 1 will be given consideration if funding remains available after all timely, qualified applicants have been awarded.
- To determine your eligibility for the scholarship, the ECACE-participating Illinois college at which you plan to use the award must be listed on your FAFSA.
- Eligibility is not based on financial need, but the FAFSA results will be used to prioritize awards among the neediest of applicants.
- Although there is no teaching commitment connected to the award, recipients are expected to continue or return to teaching or direct services in the early childhood care and education field after they complete their program of study.
- Learn more about the program – including eligibility requirements and how to apply – by visiting these resources at the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) website (isac.org):
Additional Teaching Resources
Visit the Teaching page of the Students & Parents area of the ISAC website to find links to resources that include (but are not limited to):
- details about teacher preparation and certification in Illinois;
- information on state and federal gift assistance programs that are designed for students who plan to teach; and,
- facts about state and federal loan cancellation/forgiveness/repayment programs that are available for teachers.
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