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Continue your journey with a TEACH Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarship!

Hello, Potential TEACH Scholar! We’re glad that you’re interested in taking this next step in your early childhood journey. We want you to be aware that due to funding challenges, TEACH currently has a lengthy waitlist. However, we still encourage you to apply and get on the waitlist! You can read more about this here.

Graphic listing all TEACH modelsHow does TEACH work?

The TEACH Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarship helps early educators advance their education while reducing financial barriers. The program offers scholarships for coursework toward early childhood credentials, associate, and bachelor’s degrees. It’s a shared investment: recipients, their employers, and TEACH contribute to costs like tuition, books, and release time. In return, scholars commit to continued employment in the field, ensuring lasting benefits for both educators and young children. TEACH can help you earn a credential, certificate, or degree in Early Childhood Education.

There are scholarship options available for two categories of early childhood professionals:

  • Center Program Staff and Family Child Care Home Providers (students working in licensed care settings)
  • Early Childhood Professionals that serve ECE in a role outside of a licensed care setting (“Early Childhood Community Specialists”)

TEACH covers 90% of tuition and books for Center Staff and 95% for Family Child Care Home (FCCH) Providers. Early Childhood Community Specialists receive a stipend per course, which varies based on the credential or degree type. In addition to tuition support, TEACH provides a semester stipend and a bonus for successful coursework completion.

Eligibility Requirements for Program Staff and Family Child Care Home Providers

Early childhood professionals including directors, teachers, and family child care providers who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for most models. Applicants must:

  • Work in Colorado
  • Be employed full-time* in a licensed early childhood setting defined as:
    • At least 20 hours a week if working towards Early Childhood Teacher or Director qualifications
    • At least 30 hours a week if working toward an associate or bachelor’s degree.
  • Attend an accredited college in the State of Colorado

*Exceptions may be made for programs that do not operate on a full day schedule.

Eligibility Requirements for Program Staff and Family Child Care Home Providers

Early childhood professionals eligible to apply for Early Childhood Community Specialist models include coaches, substitutes, home visitors, assessors, consultants, professionals in early childhood-focused nonprofits, and others that are not working in a program, but in the Early Childhood Profession in other capacities in Colorado.

  • Work in Colorado
  • Attend an accredited college in the State of Colorado

*Exceptions made for programs that do not operate on a full day schedule and for substitute early childhood teachers.

Scholarship Models: Benefits and Participation Requirements

Scholarship Models For Providers and Administrators:

TEACH refers to its different scholarship options as “models.” The following models are for Early Childhood professionals employed in a licensed early care and learning setting. This includes early childhood teachers, family child care home providers, and early childhood program administrators.

Overview

Education: 3-9 ECE credit hours per contract year
Compensation: In addition to tuition support, TEACH awards $125 bonus after successful completion of coursework
Sponsor awards $125 bonus or 2% raise after successful completion of work commitment. (Center
Employees Only)
Commitment: 6 months of continued employment at current child care program following completion of
scholarship contract

Financial Responsibilities

T.E.A.C.H.

Sponsor/Employer

Scholar

Pays 90% of tuition (95% for FCCH providers)

Pays 5% of tuition

Pays 5% of tuition

Pays 90% for books

x

Pays 10% for books

Pays $125.00 travel/internet stipend per semester to recipient

x

x

Reimburses center for paid release time at $15.00/hour

Provides 2 hours paid release time per week to participants

Receives 2 hours paid release time per week to study

Overview

Education: 9-18 ECE credit hours per contract year
Compensation: In addition to tuition support, TEACH awards $200 bonus after successful completion of coursework
Sponsor awards $200 bonus or 2% raise after successful completion of work commitment. (Center
Employees Only)
Commitment: 12 months of continued employment at current child care program following completion of
scholarship contract

Financial Responsibilities

T.E.A.C.H.

Sponsor/Employer

Scholar

Pays 90% of tuition (95% for FCCH providers)

Pays 5% of tuition

Pays 5% of tuition

Pays 90% for books

x

Pays 10% for books

Pays $125.00 travel/internet stipend per semester to recipient

x

x

Reimburses center for paid release time at $15.00/hour

Provides 2 hours paid release time per week to participants

Receives 2 hours paid release time per week to study

Scholars who apply for the TEACH Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarship Program: Developing Emerging Leaders Apprenticeship Scholarship will apply under the Director Qualifications Model.

Click here to learn more.

Overview

Education: 9-18 credit hours per contract year
Compensation: In addition to tuition support, TEACH awards $325 bonus after successful completion of coursework
Sponsor awards $325 bonus or 2% raise after successful completion of work commitment. (Center
Employees Only)
Commitment: 1 year of continued employment at current child care program following completion of
scholarship contract

Financial Responsibilities

T.E.A.C.H.

Sponsor/Employer

Scholar

Pays 90% of tuition (95% for FCCH providers)

Pays 5% of tuition

Pays 5% of tuition

Pays 90% for books

x

Pays 10% for books

Pays $125.00 travel/internet stipend per semester to recipient

x

x

Reimburses center for paid release time at $15.00/hour

Provides 2 hours paid release time per week to participants

Receives 2 hours paid release time per week to study

Overview

Criteria: Must have an associate degree or 60 college level credits
Education: 9-18 credit hours per contract year
Compensation: In addition to tuition support, TEACH awards $350 bonus after successful completion of coursework
Sponsor awards $350 bonus or 2% raise after successful completion of work commitment. (Center
Employees Only)
Commitment: 1 year of continued employment at current child care program following completion of
scholarship contract

Financial Responsibilities

T.E.A.C.H.

Sponsor/Employer

Scholar

Pays 90% of tuition (95% for FCCH providers)

Pays 5% of tuition

Pays 5% of tuition

Pays 90% for books

x

Pays 10% for books

Pays $125.00 travel/internet stipend per semester to recipient

x

x

Reimburses center for paid release time at $15.00/hour

Provides 2 hours paid release time per week to participants

Receives 2 hours paid release time per week to study

Overview

Criteria: Must have a bachelor’s degree or acceptance into a graduate program.
Education: 6-21 credit hours per contract year
Compensation: In addition to tuition support, TEACH awards $500 bonus after successful completion of coursework
Sponsor awards $350 bonus or 2% raise after successful completion of work commitment. (Center
Employees Only)
Commitment: 12 months of continued employment at current child care program following completion of
scholarship contract & 6 months of continued employment in the early childhood profession

Financial Responsibilities

T.E.A.C.H.

Sponsor/Employer

Scholar

Pays 90% of tuition (95% for FCCH providers)

Pays 5% of tuition

Pays 5% of tuition

Pays 90% for books

x

Pays 10% for books

Pays $125.00 travel/internet stipend per semester to recipient

x

x

Reimburses center for paid release time at $15.00/hour

Provides 2 hours paid release time per week to participants

Receives 2 hours paid release time per week to study

Scholarship Models For Early Childhood Community Specialists:

The following models are for Early Childhood Professionals employed in the early childhood profession but not consistently in a licensed setting. This includes coaches, substitute early childhood teachers, Early Childhood Council staff, home visitors, and more. Unlike other models, the Early Childhood Community Specialist Model does not require participation from an employer or sponsor.

Overview

Education: 3-12 credit hours per contract year (three semesters)
Compensation: In addition to tuition support, TEACH awards $100 bonus per course each semester after successful completion of coursework and $125 bonus at the end of the work commitment period.
Commitment: 6 months of continued employment in the early childhood field following completion of scholarship contract

Financial Responsibilities

T.E.A.C.H.

Scholar

Pays $750 per course stipend for tuition and fees 

Pays remainder of tuition and fees once stipend has been applied

Pays 75% of books

Pays 25% of books

Pays $100 semester stipend per semester to recipient

x

Overview

Education: 9-18 credit hours per contract year
Compensation: In addition to tuition support, TEACH awards $125 bonus per course each semester after successful completion of coursework and $300 bonus at the end of the work commitment period.
Commitment: One year of continued employment in the early childhood field following completion of scholarship contract

Financial Responsibilities

T.E.A.C.H.

Scholar

Pays $850 per course stipend for tuition and fees 

Pays remainder of tuition and fees once stipend has been applied

Pays 80% of books

Pays 20% of books

Pays $125 semester stipend per semester to recipient

x

Overview

Education: 9-21 credit hours per contract year (three semesters)
Compensation: In addition to tuition support, TEACH awards $150 bonus per course each semester after successful completion of coursework and $400 bonus at the end of the work commitment period.
Commitment: 18 months of continued employment in the early childhood field following completion of scholarship contract

Financial Responsibilities

T.E.A.C.H.

Scholar

Pays $1,050 per course stipend for tuition and fees 

Pays remainder of tuition and fees once stipend has been applied

Pays 90% of books

Pays 10% of books

Pays $150 semester stipend per semester to recipient

x

Overview

Criteria: Must have a bachelor’s degree or acceptance into a bachelor’s program
Education: 9-24 credit hours per contract year (three semesters)
Compensation: In addition to tuition support, TEACH awards $200 bonus per course each semester after successful completion of coursework and $750 bonus at the end of the work commitment period.
Commitment: Two years of continued employment in the early childhood profession following completion of scholarship contract

Financial Responsibilities

T.E.A.C.H.

Scholar

Pays $1,350 per course stipend for tuition and fees 

Pays remainder of tuition and fees once stipend has been applied

Pays 100% of books

x

Pays $175 stipend per semester to recipient

x

How to Apply for a TEACH Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarship

To avoid delays, please submit your TEACH application electronically whenever possible. The TEACH team is primarily remote, and mailing physical applications can significantly slow down processing times. If you need assistance with electronic submission, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

This is the preferred method! You can apply online through our Awards Platform.

You can email your application to Dallas Brown at dallas@ecclacolorado.org.

You can mail your application to:
7850 Vance Dr.
Suite #280
Arvada, CO 8003

Step 1: Download and complete all of the required documents for your application.

Estamos trabajando en la traducción de los documentos para el nuevo modelo de becas.

Step 2: Submit Your Application Online

We heavily encourage you to apply online through the Awards Platform.

1. Go to awards.ecclacolorado.org and click “Register.”

2. Under “MY PROGRAMS,” click on the dropdown menu and select TEACH Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarship. Click “Create.”

3. Fill out the application completely. You will see a green checkmark next to each complete section.

2. When you are done, click on “Submit as FINAL.” Your application is not submitted and will not be processed until you complete that step!

Still have questions? Pleas visit our FAQ or  reach out to Dallas Brown at dallas@ecclacolorado.org. We’re here to help!

What’s the difference between TEACH Early Childhood® Colorado and TEACH Colorado?

We get it. Different ‘TEACH’ programs exist in Colorado and it can get confusing. But when it comes to names, we’re so lucky to run in the same circles as TEACH Colorado! ECCLA provides the TEACH Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarship, which offers early childhood professionals a pathway to pursue higher education. Many of Colorado’s early childhood education professionals, including directors, teachers, family child care professionals, coaches, and more are eligible to apply for the scholarship. Meanwhile, TEACH Colorado is a free, one-stop-shop for anyone considering a PK-12 teaching career in Colorado, offering 1:1 advising, information on teaching pathways, downloadable guides and financial aid resources.

Does the TEACH Early Childhood® Scholarship Program promote TEACH Colorado on its platform for aspiring teachers? You’d better believe it! Similar name, distinct offerings, but both working to provide a whole bunch of support for early childhood professionals across the state.

 TEACH Early Childhood® Colorado is a licensed program of Early Years.

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