1. Presented by: Debbie Antone T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Counselor
T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships 101
Presented by:
Debbie Antone
T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Counselor

2. Agenda
Introductions
The basics: Overview of credentials, degrees and endorsements
Decisions to make
T.E.A.C.H. support

3. Introductions Debbie Antone, T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Counselor
What is T.E.A.C.H?
Participant introductions, questions to be answered and barriers to degree attainment
What is T.E.A.C.H.
National, comprehensive scholarship initiative that:
Recognizes the challenges of the workforce
Provides support for the working student
Links educational accomplishments with compensation incentives
Began July 1, 2001
Funded by Office of Great Start/Michigan Dept. of Education
Administered by the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children (MiAEYC)

4. Overview of Early Childhood Credentials
Child Development Associate (CDA)
Associate degree (AA/AS)
Bachelor degree (BA/BS)
Early Childhood Endorsement (ZS~formerly ZA)

5. Child Development Associate™ (CDA)
Why should I get a CDA?- CDA is the Best 1st Step!
Define “Associate” vs Associate Degree
Application Requirements
CAN receive T.E.A.C.H. SUPPORT FOR CREDIT-BEARING TRAINING!
Credit- Bearing (Community College)
At least 18 years old
Choose CDA “setting”
Formal Training
(120 hours)
Infant/Toddler
Preschool
Family Child Care
Home Visitor
Non Credit-Bearing
-WHY?- A CDA is a national, portable credential offered in multiple languages and is recognized in all 50 states. It helps early educators meet current state and national professional requirements. More $$, more employment options, start of the ECE career pathway, increasing professionalism of the field, improving quality of care provided to children.
- The “Associate” is referring to a person who successfully clarify it is not an Associate’s degree in Child Development
- Application Requirements- Purchase CDA book from the Council for Professional Recognition $25 includes resources and all required information to apply
Portfolio
Questionnaires
Experience (480 hours within last 3 years)
Professional Portfolio
Family Questionnaires

6. Some employment options with a valid, active CDA
Family/Group Home Child Care Provider
Assistant Teacher- Head Start/GSRP
Additional points for Great Start to Quality

7. CDA Assessment-T.E.A.C.H. Supports
T.E.A.C.H. covers 85% of the CDA fee and provides compensation for recipients after receipt of CDA (either $300 or $200 bonus)
Sponsor covers remaining portion-15% ($63.75) OR
Recipient covers remaining portion-15% ($63.75)
CDA Renewal

8. Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education/Child Development
CAN receive T.E.A.C.H. SUPPORT towards AA degree in ECE!
Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education/Child Development
Why should I get an Associate degree?
Process
Choose a college
Grants
Scholarships
Work-study
Loans
Tax benefits
Cost
Academics
Admission
Location, size
Course offerings
Apply for financial aid
Meet with ECE Faculty Advisor
-WHY?- More $$, more employment options, increasing the professionalism of the field, additional points for GSQ, improving program quality
Consider cost per credit, average costs of fees,
Academics- Does the college have an early childhood or child development degree program? Are they approved to work with the TEACH scholarship if you qualify? Talk to other professionals in the field who attend currently, or may have attended in the past about the program to make sure it is a good fit.
Admission requirements: Vary from school to school so be sure to check the websites or the admission office to make sure you have all of the appropriate forms, paperwork, and tests taken to apply.
Location/size: How close is it to your home? Factor in drive time with work, family, etc. obligations. How big is the school? How big is the ECE/CD program? How big are classes? What are you comfortable with?
Course offerings: What are you seeking? All online- check with ECE/CD departments to see how much can be taken online. Is driving distance and time of course offerings conducive to hybrid/ face-to-face offerings with your schedule?
Grants- financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid (unless you withdraw from school and owe a refund)
Scholarships- money that is awarded to students based on academic or other achievements offered through nonprofit, or private organizations that most often does not have to be repaid.
Work-study- a work program through which you earn money to help you pay for school
Loans- money that is borrowed that must be repaid with low interest rates in many cases
There may be tax benefits for pursuing educational goals as well
Evaluate transfer credits
Create program plan
Apply for T.E.A.C.H.
T.E.A.C.H. Application
Most recent pay stub

9. Some employment options with an Associate degree in ECE/Child Development
Includes all options listed under the CDA
Lead Teacher-Child Care Center
School-age Program Director (with 480 hours of experience)
Early Childhood Center Program Director (with 480 hours of experience)
Additional points for Great Start to Quality

10. Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education/Child Development
CAN receive T.E.A.C.H. SUPPORT toward a BA degree in ECE!
Why should I get a Bachelor Degree?
Process- Same as Associate degree
Apply for T.E.A.C.H.
T.E.A.C.H. Application
Most recent pay stub
Financial Aid
Transfer credit evaluation
College acceptance letter
-WHY?- More $$, more employment options, increasing the professionalism of the field, additional points for GSQ, improving program quality
Additional requirements for T.E.A.C.H.

11. Some employment options with a Bachelor degree in ECE/Child Development
Includes all options listed under the CDA and Associate Degree
Lead Teacher- Head Start/GSRP
School-age Program Director
Early Childhood Center Program Director
T.E.A.C.H. Counselor
Training and Technical Assistance Provider
Additional points for Great Start to Quality

12. Adding an Early Childhood Endorsement (ZS)
Can be added to a Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education or K-12 Special Education
Can be obtained in conjunction with either of the above degrees
Why should I get an Early Childhood Endorsement?
Apply to have Endorsement added to your teaching certificate by MDE
Choose a pathway
Community College
Tuition is less
Transfer
Take and pass the MTTC Subject test in Early Childhood-General & Special Education
University
Post BA Options
Masters Options
-WHY?- More employment options, increase of specialized knowledge in the field of Early Childhood, mor marketable degree, many programs in school districts now require these if teaching between Pre-K-3rd grade.

13. Some employment options with an Early Childhood Endorsement
GSRP/Head Start Lead Teacher

14. T.E.A.C.H. Eligibility Requirements
Working at least 20 hours per week
Wage maximum:
No more than $17.00 per hour or $35,360 annually
Address:
Part year programs
Program volunteers
Family income (asked for on the application, however would only be used if/when we would have a waiting list)
Sponsorship limits 2 per license/4/6 maximum- BF and CDA are unlimited

15. T.E.A.C.H. Associate and Bachelor Degree Scholarship Supports
80% of the cost of tuition/fees & books
10%- Recipient (20% family/group home provider)
Average Associate degree cost- $95 per semester (6 credits)
Average Bachelor degree cost- $262 per semester (6 credits)
10% Sponsor
$50 travel stipend each semester
Paid release time reimbursement or Sub-Reimbursement for family/group home providers
Employee taking 6 credits- eligible for 6 hours/week (15 weeks/semester) 6 hours x 15 weeks= 90 hours total
Sponsor provides up to 6 hours paid time off at employee’s normal rate of pay
T.E.A.C.H. reimburses sponsoring program for 45 hours at $10 per hour or $450
Compensation at the end of each completed contract (3 semesters/9credits)
$100-$400 bonus from T.E.A.C.H.
--AND--
2% raise (AA model) or $100 or $375 bonus from program
Contribute (80%) of tuition, fees, and books for ALL scholarship models (Associate, Bachelor & Baker College) for up to 6 credits per semester/term.
Travel stipend- given even if classes are taken online
Release time- collaboration/partnership between recipient/sponsor to arrange for mutually convenient times
Discuss the process- how we ask the schools to invoice us for 100% of the tuition, and then we handle all the invoicing internally for programs. They receive an invoice from us each semester for any recipients that are on scholarship, and pay TEACH directly.

16. Stipend Scholarship
Working for a program with a policy or union contract in place which would prohibit employer participation in the scholarship
Associate Degree stipend = $200/credit ($1200 cap)
Bachelor Degree stipend = $350/credit ($2100 cap)
Typically school district, ISD, or union employee
Stipend applications are reviewed on a case by case basis

17. Questions? For more information or other questions, please contact (866) X312 or visit ww.MiAEYC.org Thank you for your participation!

18. Learn about navigating the various options within the early childhood higher education system, choices around degrees, and how T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Michigan can ease the financial burden associated with working toward professional development goals.