Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance (ECCLA) Launches the Concurrent Enrollment Scholarship Program for High School Students

Wheat Ridge, CO (Aug. 26, 2022) – Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance (ECCLA) is offering scholarships to high school students interested in or currently participating in concurrent enrollment programs that include early childhood education courses. Concurrent enrollment, or dual enrollment, gives high school students the opportunity to enroll in college and earn credits toward their high school diploma and a postsecondary certificate or degree at the same time. This funding opportunity from ECCLA is intended to help students transition successfully into the early childhood education workforce with the support, knowledge, and credentials needed to gain employment and perform their roles as educators with confidence.

The Concurrent Enrollment Scholarship Program is funded by the Community Innovation and Resilience for Care and Learning Equity (CIRCLE) Initiative and will support 40 high school students across the state of Colorado as they earn college credits in early childhood education. In partnership with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, Early Milestones is leading the CIRCLE Grant. This initiative will provide nearly $23 million in grants to child care providers and other community, education, or governmental partners pursuing innovative solutions to challenges worsened by the pandemic.

Benefits of the scholarship program include:

• Funding for tuition, books, and other college expenses
• Support and training to help students understand the requirements of working in the early childhood field and the resources that are available to them as early childhood professionals
• Counseling to help students transition into the early childhood education workforce
• Regular meetings with their cohort
• Compensation for successful completion and continuing education after

Forty high school juniors and seniors will be chosen across the state to participate in two cohorts of 20. The applications for Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 are currently open and available. Space is limited, so applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Prospective applicants can learn more about this program or apply by visiting www.ecclacolorado.org/cescholarship.

For questions or individual assistance, please contact Shannon Hall, Director of Workforce Supports, at shannon@ecclacolorado.org or Enola Garland, Program Support and Concurrent Enrollment Scholarship Coordinator, at enola@ecclacolorado.org.

To learn about ECCLA’s other early childhood funding opportunities, such as the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarship Program, the Back to Work: Early Childhood Scholarship Program, Rural R.U.N. Scholarship Program, and the Family Child Care Home Facilities Improvement Grant, please visit www.ecclacolorado.org.

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!