1. Early Childhood Educators Scholarship jointly administered by: Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care Massachusetts Board of Higher Education Office of Student Financial Assistance
EEC Board
March 11, 2008

2. ECE Scholarship Program – Purpose and Goals
Improve child outcomes/program quality by increasing the number of degreed teachers working in early education and out-of-school time programs.
Assist currently employed early education and care and out of school time staff to earn a higher education degree in order to meet EEC quality standards (i.e., preschool program standards, UPK, NAEYC accreditation).
Decrease staff turnover.

3. ECE Scholarship Program – Overview/Legislative Requirements
First funded in FY 2006 at $1M; funded at $4m in FY2008.
Appropriated as an earmark within Board of Higher Education (BHE) larger Financial Aid account (line-item ).
BHE and EEC required to jointly establish guidelines and application criteria.
Funds intended to cover tuition, fees and related expenses for up to 3 courses per semester in degree granting programs.
Eligible recipients must be working in early education and care program and must commit to a term of service after graduation.

4. ECE Scholarship Program – Current Eligibility Guidelines and Criteria*
Massachusetts residency
United States citizen or eligible non-citizen
Not in default on other student loan or grant
Matriculated undergraduate student in early childhood education, or related field
No previous bachelor’s degree
Employed in a center-based program or licensed family child care home in MA for at least one year
Continue employment while enrolled in the required degree program
Agree to continue working in the field in MA for 6 mos./semester of scholarship aid after completing their degree, or repay the funds
*BHE and EEC discretion

5. ECE Scholarship Program – Approval Process
Applications are received and processed by OSFA.
If an applicant meets OSFA’s criteria, EEC verifies:
Current employment;
At least 1 year in field prior to application; and
Supervisor recommendation.
EEC returns approvals and denials to OSFA.
OSFA notifies the applicant of their fall and spring award only; and verifies student is matriculated and registered. (Award amount is adjusted based on actual registration)
OSFA submits payment to the college.
If funding “freed-up,” after the spring “add/drop” period, students notified of additional summer awards.

6. ECE Scholarship Program – Award History
FY 2006
$1M 1139 applicants 327 recipients
FY 2007
$3M 1108 applicants 672 recipients
(341 new)
FY 2008
$4M 1300 applicants 930 recipients*
(429 new)
1,891 first time applicants and 1,043 first time recipients over 3 years
*Projected
Data provided by the Office of Student Financial Assistance

7. ECE Scholarship Program – Number of Recipients by Institution Type
Institution FY FY FY 2008*
Community College
State College
University Mass
Independent Colleges
~ 2,016 courses funded in FY 2006; and 3,505 in FY 2007
~18% graduation rate in FY 2006; ~24% in FY 2007
*Projected
Data provided by the Office of Student Financial Assistance

8. ECE Scholarship Program – Scholarship Rates
Institution Per Credit Maximum Community College $150 $1,350 per semester State College $300 $2,700 per semester University Mass $400 $3,600 per semester Independent Colleges* $400 $3,600 per semester
Maximum of 9 credits (3 courses) per semester.

9. ECE Scholarship Program – Recipient Income Ranges
Income Range FY 2006 FY 2007 $0 - $ 9, $10,000 - $19, $20,000 - $39, $40,000 - $59, $60,000 - $79, $80,000 - $99, ,000 - above Pell Grant eligibility 51% 42%
Data provided by the Office of Student Financial Assistance

10. ECE Scholarship Program – FY 2009 Process Improvements Under Discussion
In Coordination with Department of Higher Education:
Increase employer engagement through program-wide recommendations/submissions.
Maximize other financial aid sources to eligible applicants.
Provide colleges with more timely information about scholarship recipients to facilitate academic advising.
Improve integration and alignment across EEC professional development initiatives.

11. ECE Scholarship Program – FY 2009 Policy Changes Under Discussion
Target scholarship assistance based on:
Applicant’s financial need;
Percentage of low-income/at-risk children at applicant’s workplace.
Require minimum number of work hours.
Define “related field” and “specialized” coursework.
Expand eligibility to students with a BA in an unrelated field seeking “specialized” coursework in early child education or out-of-school time programming.
Increase academic accountability for on-going eligibility:
Minimum GPA;
Consequences for course withdrawal/failure.

12. ECE Scholarship Program – Proposed Timeline
Met with Advisory Team
February 28, 2008
EEC Board Discussion
March 11, 2008
EEC Board Vote
April 8, 2008
BHE Board Meeting
April 25, 2008
Release Application
Spring 2008