Scholarships for Early Childhood Education Majors (2023)

California - CSUB Adele Davis Scholarship Endowment

Amount: Varies

Deadline: December 1

The CSUB Adele Davis Scholarship Endowment was created by the chair of the CSUB Music Department in 2005 on behalf of his wife and her love of being a first-grade teacher. This scholarship is dedicated to those who intend to become an elementary school teacher and study at California State University, Bakersfield. You will have to complete a general application to be considered for the scholarship.

Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah - Boundless Opportunity Scholarship

Amount: Varies

Deadline: Varies

The Boundless Opportunity Scholarship (BOS) is provided to non-traditional students enrolled at two-year and four-year higher learning institutions in Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado. You must demonstrate your need for financial support and meet one of the following requirements: be an adult returning to higher education or entering college for the first time, a GED recipient, a former youth of foster care, a former juvenile justice youth, returning military, a person pursuing paramedics or EMT training, or a person pursuing a certificate in early childhood education. Scholarship money can be distributed to both direct and indirect expenses, from tuition to health insurance.

Florida - Minority Teacher Education Scholars Program

Amount: $4,000 ($2,000 per semester)

Deadline: July 1 (Fall), November 30 (Spring)

The Minority Teacher Education Scholars Program is a statewide initiative that extends to 35 institutions. The scholarship is dedicated to various minorities, such as African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and Asian Americans. The participating higher learning institutions also vary, from private to public colleges and universities with teacher programs that have been approved by the state. Applicants must be a junior with 60 credit hours or have an associate’s degree without any previous bachelor degrees of completion.

Georgia - DECAL Scholarship Program

Amount: 80% of tuition costs (depends on PELL aid and what type of institution you are in; public or private, bachelor’s or master’s) with a $200-$500 stipend

Deadline: June 30

The Georgia DECAL Scholarship Program is sponsored by the Department of Early Care and Learning. You can earn a scholarship that covers up to 80% of tuition expenses. This scholarship also provides a much-needed $500 stipend to be used as you see fit. You must be in pursuit of an early childhood education degree or a degree in child care administration. Your school of choice must be accredited, and you must be a US citizen or have legal permanent residency. Applicants must be employed with a licensed child care learning center and have six months of consecutive childcare experience. You must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA for the scholarship to qualify for renewal.

Hawaii - PATCH Early Childhood Education Scholarships

Amount: $750 per round (3 rounds per year)

Deadline: January 15, May 31, August 31

The PATCH Early Childhood Education Scholarship partners with the Hawaii Community Foundation to provide a $750 scholarship three times a year. This scholarship award is dedicated to early childhood education professionals in pursuit of continuing education. The scholarship is to be used for tuition reimbursement. Applicants will be required to enroll at an accredited Hawaii college and complete courses in early childhood education. You must also be a full-time employee at a licensed child care facility in Hawaii. Out-of-state courses will not be reimbursed.

Illinois - Golden Apple Scholars

Amount: $2,500 - $5,000

Deadline: March 1

The Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois gives preference to minority students who intend to pursue a degree in education and work in schools that struggle to keep teachers. You must be working toward a teacher certification through any higher learning course of action, such as an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree. You must have at least a 2.5 GPA. You could receive up to $23,000 in total during your higher education experience and receive paid summer institutes that offer hands-on experience. Scholarships are awarded to students at every level, from freshman to seniors.

Iowa - Sally Gearhart Strottman Memorial Scholarship

Amount: $10,000

Deadline: December 1

The Sally Gearhart Strottman Memorial Scholarship is dedicated to students at the University of Northern Iowa who are enrolled in the College of Education. Scholarship winners will receive up to $10,000 to be distributed throughout their undergraduate degree for up to four years. You must be an elementary education major, have a minimum ACT score of 27, and enroll in 30 credit hours each year. You will also have to provide references. Students who are incoming freshmen from Northeastern Iowa counties will be given preference.

Kansas - The Tomorrow’s Teacher

Amount: $2,500 (renewable)

Deadline: February 1 (KS State scholarship application), March 1 (Tomorrow’s Teacher application)

The Tomorrow’s Teacher Scholarships are dedicated to Kansas resident high school seniors who wish to pursue a degree in education at Kansas State University. You will be required to write a 1,000-word essay to receive $2,500 each year during your undergraduate degree. Eligible applicants will be active in community service, have well-rounded life experience and common sense, and have a simple knowledge base of business.

Kentucky - Early Childhood Development Scholarship

Amount: $1,800

Deadline: November 15 (Spring), April 15 (Summer), July 15 (Fall)

The Kentucky Early Childhood Development Scholarship is designed to provide some financial relief to students in Kentucky who are pursuing a career in child development or early childhood education. This might be in the manner of a child development associate credential, an associate’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or another similar program that has been approved by the Kentucky Early Childhood Development Authority. The scholarship is designed to guide the professional development of individuals who wish to work in ECE and early care. The scholarship is part of the KIDS NOW initiative for early childhood.

Louisiana - Lil and Roy Murphy Scholarship

Amount: $500

Deadline: October 1

The Lil and Roy Murphy Scholarship is awarded by the Louisiana Early Childhood Association (LAECA). Each year, they provide $500 to an outstanding student pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited degree program in child development or early childhood education. Applicants must be enrolled in either a two-year or four-year higher learning institution in Louisiana to qualify. You must also be a member of the LECA, maintain at least a 3.0 GPA, enroll as a full-time student, and provide a statement pertaining to your educational philosophy. You will be reviewed based on your leadership abilities, professionalism, communication skills, academics, moral character, and knowledge base of early childhood education issues.

Massachusetts - Early Childhood Educators Scholarship

Amount: Pays for 9 credit hours at your school of choice (Based on credit hour cost)

Deadline: June 1

The Massachusetts Early Childhood Educators Scholarship program is offered through the Office of Student Financial Assistance. The idea behind the scholarship is to encourage more highly qualified students to work with young children. You must be a Massachusetts resident and a US citizen and be enrolled in an accredited degree program as an undergraduate. You cannot have completed a bachelor’s degree in the past. However, you should have been employed for at least 12 months in a licensed early childhood education care program. You will also be required to continue your employment, or you will be required to repay the scholarship money.

North Carolina - Education Lottery Scholarship (ELS)

Amount: Varies based on FAFSA info

Deadline: FAFSA deadline

The North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship (ELS) is committed to providing tuition assistance to students who are planning to attend eligible colleges and universities within North Carolina. These can be students either enrolled in two-year or four-year degree programs for a minimum of six credit hours. You must be a North Carolina resident and meet satisfactory progress in academic standings as stated by the college or university. You must also be an undergraduate student who has never before earned a bachelor’s degree with an expected family contribution of less than $5,000 for your degree.

Washington - Early Achievers Scholarships

Amount: $6,000 for Tuition and $1,000 for books (per year)

Deadline: FAFSA deadline

The Early Achievers Scholarships are dedicated to students who work at any Early Achievers facility. You must be pursuing an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or a certificate in early childhood education. A number of different scholarships are available for various career paths. This scholarship is sponsored by the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Grant. It awards up to $6,000 each year to those who reside within the state of Washington. You must also have experience working in childhood education, at least a 2.0 GPA, and enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours each year. You will also have to continue working for Early Achievers for at least one year upon completion of your degree program.

West Virginia - Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship Program

Amount: Up to $5,000

Deadline: March 1

The Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship Program is dedicated to students in West Virginia who will pursue a degree in teaching. You will qualify if you are in pursuit of a degree in any level of education, from pre-k to secondary school. You will improve your chances if you are a junior, senior, or a graduate student. Applicants must be residents of West Virginia and must commit to teaching in West Virginia upon graduation for at least two years. All scholarships are dependent upon continued funding by the West Virginia State Legislature.