T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarship Program
Contact Us
Shannon Hall, Director of Workforce Supports
Ph: (720) 899-3047
Em: shannon@ecclacolorado.org
Dallas Brown, ECE Scholarship/Career Navigator- T.E.A.C.H
Ph: (720) 588-2842
Em: dallas@ecclacolorado.org
To fax your application send it to (720) 669-1544.
Do you need translation? Please contact Shannon Hall to schedule a meeting.
About the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Colorado Scholarship Program
Early childhood professionals who have higher education have been shown to have a better understanding of child development and to be more responsive to the educational and academic needs of young children. The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarship Program offers early childhood professionals a pathway to pursue higher education. Access to scholarships for early childhood education is a critical piece to a successful professional development pathway. We are affiliated with the national Teacher Education and Compensation Helps Early Childhood® initiative of the Child Care Services Association, and we hold the state license to offer scholarships in Colorado.
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!
Eligibility Requirements for Program Center Staff and Family Child Care Home Providers
Early childhood education professionals including directors, teachers, and family child care providers who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for most models. Applicants must:
- Live and work in Colorado
- 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.
- Meet income guidelines:
- As an owner or director, earning $35 per hour or less
- As teaching professionals, earning $25 per hour or less.
*Exceptions may be made for programs that do not operate on a full day schedule.
Eligibility Requirements for Early Childhood Professionals not Employed in a Childcare/Early Learning Setting
Early childhood education professionals eligible to apply for the Early Childhood Specialist model include coaches, substitutes, home visitors, assessors, consultants, professionals who work in early childhood-focused nonprofits, and others employed in the early childhood field. Applicants must:
- Live and work in Colorado
- Employed full-time* in a program that serves early childhood education:
- At least 20 hours a week if working toward a Credential or Certificate
- At least 30 hours a week if working toward an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree.
*Exceptions made for programs that do not operate on a full day schedule and for substitute early childhood teachers.
Scholarship Models
For Providers and Administrators:
Models 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.
Education: 3-9 ECE credit hours per contract year
Compensation: T.E.A.C.H. 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 $10.00/hour | Provides 2 hours paid release time per week to participants | Receives 2 hours paid release time per week to study |
Education: 9-18 ECE credit hours per contract year
Compensation: T.E.A.C.H. 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 $10.00/hour | Provides 2 hours paid release time per week to participants | Receives 2 hours paid release time per week to study |
Education: 9-18 credit hours per contract year
Compensation: T.E.A.C.H. 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 $10.00/hour | Provides 2 hours paid release time per week to participants | Receives 2 hours paid release time per week to study |
Criteria: Must have an associate degree or 60 college level credits
Education: 9-18 credit hours per contract year
Compensation: T.E.A.C.H. 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 $10.00/hour | Provides 2 hours paid release time per week to participants | Receives 2 hours paid release time per week to study |
For Early Childhood Community Specialists:
Models for Early Childhood Professionals employed in the early childhood field 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.
Education: 3-12 credit hours per contract year (three semesters)
Compensation: T.E.A.C.H. 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 |
Education: 9-18 credit hours per contract year
Compensation: T.E.A.C.H. 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 |
Education: 9-21 credit hours per contract year (three semesters)
Compensation: T.E.A.C.H. 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 |
Education: 9-21 credit hours per contract year (three semesters)
Compensation: T.E.A.C.H. awards $175 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 field 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 $150 semester stipend per semester to recipient | x |
Considering becoming an early childhood teacher? We’ve got you covered. Our partners at TEACH Colorado will help you navigate the process with confidence. Sign up today for free access to:
- Up to $100 toward expenses
- 1-on-1 career advising from local teachers
- Applications Made Easy how-to guides
- $1,000 scholarships to fund your education, and more!
Tackling the Early Educator Compensation Crisis
- American Rescue Plan Funding: Child Care Workforce Investments Review from Child Care Services Association (CCSA)
- Still Underpaid and Unequal Brief by the Center for American Progress (July 2022)
- How Are States Tackling the Early Educator Compensation Crisis? Blog from the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment (CSCCE, UC-Berkeley)
- The Learning Policy Institute’s New Whole Child Policy Toolkit
