Become an early childhood educator in Vermont—tuition free.

An interest-free, forgivable loan which pays 100% of tuition.

A Program for Early Childhood Educators

Are you creative, caring, high-energy, and looking for a job that’s different every day? Then a career in early childhood education may be right for you. And there’s no better time to get the degree you’ll need.

VSAC and the Vermont Department of Children and Families have teamed up to offer a new program that covers full tuition to qualified recipients pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree program in early childhood education or early childhood special education.

Funded by the Vermont Legislature, the Scholarship Program for Prospective Early Childhood Educators (Interest-Free, Forgivable Loan) is open to students pursuing a degree at one of these participating institutions, starting in the fall of 2022.

Click on the school you're interested in to visit their program page:

Funding will be awarded to qualifying applicants with financial need on a first-come, first-serve basis until all funds have been depleted.

Awards are in the form of an interest-free loan which is forgiven when the recipient signs a promissory note and has completed the following work obligations:

work for one year for each year they receive funding, and
work in a regulated, privately operated center-based child care program or regulated family child care home in Vermont.

Contact Child Development Division | Department for Children and Families for more information on qualified programs.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Vermont & non-Vermont residents
Must demonstrate financial need
Pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or early childhood special education
Enrolled at least half time at participating schools
Preference given to students in final year of program
Cannot participate, nor be eligible for, the Vermont T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Program or participate in the Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program for the Early Childhood Workforce simultaneously

HOW MUCH IS THE AWARD?

Full tuition at eligible schools!

WHEN CAN I TAKE COURSES?

The program covers courses beginning fall 2022.

HOW DO I APPLY?

Complete the Unified Scholarship Application online through your MyVSAC account. For detailed information about the application, refer to pages 1-4 of the Scholarships for Vermonters booklet
Complete the FAFSA for the 2022–2023 academic year.
If selected as a recipient by the selection committee, recipients sign a promissory note when they accept funding that commits them to the following work arrangements. The loan will be forgiven when both of these work obligations are met:
- work for one year for each year they receive funding, and
- work in a regulated, privately operated center-based child care program or regulated family child care home in Vermont.
Contact Child Development Division | Department for Children and Families for more information on qualified programs.

WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?

APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED UNTIL ALL FUNDS HAVE BEEN AWARDED.

First application priority date (funding permitted): May 31, 2022
Second priority date (funding permitted): July 15, 2022
Third priority date (funding permitted): November 18, 2022

WHEN WILL I KNOW IF I'VE BEEN SELECTED?

Applicants who submit all required documents by the first priority date will be notified by mid-July if they are a recipient.

IS THERE OTHER FUNDING AVAILABLE?

Yes!

Connect with the school's financial aid office.
Other VSAC scholarships & grants
Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC)

QUESTIONS:

about the scholarship application or status? Contact VSAC or call 888-253-4819.
about eligible places of employment? Contact VTAEYC or call (802) 234-1090.
about available programs at participating schools? Contact your school directly.