Back to Work: Early Childhood Education Scholarship Program

Contact Us

Cameron Fall, Scholarship and Career Navigation Coordinator
Ph: (720) 899-3048
Em: cameron@ecclacolorado.org

Mailed or faxed applications will not be accepted.

Eligibility Guidelines

Participants must meet the following criteria and complete a credential/degree by June 2024:

Student experienced an economic loss within the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as lost or adverse changes in employment, increased food or housing insecurity, had to withdraw from college after March 13, 2020, or suffered another form of economic loss.
Student is seeking to enroll or already enrolled in an undergraduate degree or certificate program related to the Early Childhood field.
Student is enrolled (or plans to enroll) at a Colorado Public Institution of Higher Education.
Student can complete credential or degree by June 30, 2024.
Student is a Colorado resident with in-state tuition and has an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of 14614 or less as determined by FAFSA or CASFA. To learn more about the EFC requirement, click here.

*Please Note: If you are already receiving a Back to Work Scholarship or another Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI) Scholarship, you are not eligible to receive this scholarship award.

Your online application will be submitted using SSL encryption which ensures your application information is 100% secure.

Supports Offered

Participants will receive a one-time scholarship award, up to $2,500! Funds can be spread across your entire degree or certificate, so you can save them for when you need them. Funds can also be used to cover a variety of expenses, including:

- Tuition costs and any fees related to admission or enrollment
- Books and supplies (including up to $1,000 towards the cost of a personal computer)
- Living expenses defined as A: housing, food, clothing, transportation and out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, for students who do not contract with a school for room and board, and B: the cost of room and board, an allowance for the cost of housing and food while attending college or career school)
- Transportation costs to/from classes
- Student loan fees
- Child Care or other dependent care
- Costs related to a disability

Additionally, participants are offered the following supports:

- Support in enrollment, registration, understanding the total cost of obtaining your degree, FAFSA, CASFA, financial aid, scholarships, and more!
- Support in navigating institutional barriers, academic hurdles, and social, wellness, familial, and personal concerns
- 1:1 support to ensure progression toward the completion of your credential/degree
- Support in connecting to resources, careers, and transitioning back into the workforce

Student Resources

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Financial Aid Resources

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College Resources

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Career Resources

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Justice, Equity, and Belonging Resources

About the Back to Work: Early Childhood Education Scholarship Program

Have you been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? Are you thinking of starting or continuing college in an undergraduate Early Childhood degree/certificate program in Colorado? Our organization is proud to partner with the Colorado Department of Higher Education’s COSI program to help provide the education and training you need for your next job in the Early Childhood field, through the new Back to Work Grant!

The Colorado Recovery Plan expands the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI) grant to support Coloradans that have experienced an economic loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as lost or adverse changes in employment, increased food or housing insecurity, had to withdraw from college after March 13, 2020, or suffered another form of economic loss.

The Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance (ECCLA) is an equal opportunity scholarship provider. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, military status, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression in any of its activities or operations. Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow (ASSET) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students are welcome to apply!