Bachelor’s Degree Pathways Scholarship

Complete the last two years of your BA or BAS degree.

Early learning professionals enrolled in Early Achievers are eligible for our Bachelor’s Degree Pathways Scholarships that are contract based for 12 months, and include BA completion, DTA/Pre-BA and the Montessori Credential. The following scholarship pathways meet you where you are in your educational journey and help you get to the next level with the ultimate goal of earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or another approved academic program.

Click to see the full list of eligible academic programs as published by DCYF and/or Scholarship Funding Guidelines.  

Scholarship forms and Instructions can be found here: CCA of WA Scholarship Forms

For questions about the pathway below, contact scholarships@childcareawarewa.org.

To apply for any of the scholarships below use one of the application links below:

Bachelor's Degree Completion Pathway

Overview

Scholarship Benefits

Eligibility

Expectations

Additional Requirements

Deadlines

This pathway is for early learning professionals who need to complete the last two years of their BA or BAS Degree. Applicants must have completed an associate degree (AA) or a Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), and have already applied to, or been admitted to, a Washington State bachelor’s degree program in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or another approved academic program. 

  • Up to $9,000 in tuition and fees per scholarship contract (one year or 12 months), paid directly to the academic institution
  • Book reimbursement of up to $500 per scholarship contract
  • Release time paid to the employer at a rate of $15 per hour, up to 3 hours per week for each term enrolled
  • Completion incentive for scholars who have successfully completed their scholarship contracts

 

  • Be employed at a child care center or family child care program that participates in Early Achievers for at least 3 months at time of application
  • Work a minimum of 10 hours per week
  • Have an associate degree, or a Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA)
  • Must have applied to, or have been accepted (including conditional acceptance) at a Washington State BA or BAS Degree program in ECE or another approved academic program
  • Apply for financial aid at the college you plan to attend before applying for this scholarship (strongly encouraged, but not mandatory)
  • Complete a minimum of 15 academic credits during a scholarship contract
  • Scholars must remain with their same employer for 6 months after the successful completion of a yearlong scholarship contract in order to qualify for the incentive
  • Scholars must adhere to scholarship guidelines and contract terms
  • Scholars are responsible for the cost of attendance beyond the maximums and benefits of the scholarship contract

If found eligible you will be moved to the second stage of the application process and you must submit the following documentation:

  • Documentation of your acceptance to a Washington State institution (application, acceptance letter, conditional acceptance letter or current student schedule)
  • Your most recent unofficial transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended
  • A copy of your financial aid award letter, if applicable

All scholarship applications must be complete (both the applicant and employer’s sections filled out) and submitted by the dates below to be considered for the corresponding term.

  • Fall term – August 15
  • Winter term (including spring semester) – November 15
  • Spring term – February 15
  • Summer term – April 15

Submitting an application does not guarantee funding. Notifications are sent via email the first week of the month following your submission. For example, if you submit an application on July 14, you will be notified the first week of August.

DTA/PRE-BA Coursework Pathway

Overview

Scholarship Benefits

Eligibility

Expectations

Additional Requirements

Deadlines

This pathway is for early learning professionals who are 30 credits or less from completing their AA degree or Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), and intend to move directly into an approved BA or BAS program. This pathway can also be used by those who have been conditionally accepted to a BA or BAS program and have prerequisite coursework to complete.

  • Up to $9,000 in tuition and fees per scholarship contract, paid directly to the academic institution
  • Book reimbursement of up to $500
  • Release time paid to the employer at a rate of $15 per hour, up to 3 hours per week for each term enrolled
  • Completion incentive for scholars who have successfully completed their scholarship contracts
  • Be employed at a child care center or family child care program that participates in Early Achievers for at least 3 months
  • Work a minimum of 10 hours per week
  • Be in pursuit of a BA or BAS degree in ECE or a similar, approved field
  • Apply for financial aid at the college you plan to attend before applying for this scholarship (strongly encouraged, but not mandatory)
  • Complete a minimum of 15 academic credits during a scholarship contract
  • Scholars must remain with their same employer for 6 months after the successful completion of a yearlong scholarship contract in order to qualify for the incentive
  • Scholars must adhere to scholarship guidelines and contract terms
  • Scholars are responsible for the cost of attendance beyond the maximums and benefits of the scholarship contract

If found eligible, you must submit the following documentation:

  • Documentation of your acceptance to a Washington State institution (application, acceptance letter or current student schedule)
  • Your most recent unofficial transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended
  • A copy of your financial aid award letter, if applicable
  • Child Care Aware of Washington Scholarships Preliminary Academic Plan

All scholarship applications must be complete and submitted by the dates below to be considered for the corresponding term.

  • Fall term – August 15
  • Winter term (including spring semester) – November 15
  • Spring term – February 15
  • Summer term – April 15

Submitting an application does not guarantee funding. Notifications are sent via email the first week of the month following your submission. For example, if you submit an application on July 14, you will be notified the first week of August.

Montessori Credential Pathway

Overview

Scholarship Benefits

Eligibility

Expectations

Deadlines

This pathway can be used at any approved MACTE-accredited academy in Washington State, and only for early childhood and infant and toddler credentials.

  • Up to $9,000 in tuition and fees per scholarship contract, paid directly to the academic institution
  • Book reimbursement of up to $500
  • Release time paid to the employer at a rate of $15 per hour, up to 3 hours per week for each term enrolled
  • Completion incentive for scholars who have successfully completed their scholarship contracts
  • Be employed at a child care center or family child care program that participates in Early Achievers for at least 3 months at time of application
  • Work a minimum of 10 hours per week
  • Have completed an associate or bachelor’s degree
  • Scholars must remain with their same employer for 6 months after the successful completion of a yearlong scholarship contract in order to qualify for the incentive
  • Scholars must adhere to scholarship guidelines and contract terms
  • Scholars are responsible for the cost of attendance beyond the maximums and benefits of the scholarship contract

All scholarship applications must be complete and submitted by the dates below to be considered for the corresponding term.

  • Fall term – August 15
  • Winter term (including spring semester) – November 15
  • Spring term – February 15
  • Summer term – April 15

Submitting an application does not guarantee funding. Notifications are sent via email the first week of the month following your submission. For example, if you submit an application on July 14, you will be notified the first week of August.