Author: Amy
Reviewed by: Brenda Rufener
Reading Level: Grade 9
Reading Time: 6 minutes, 41 seconds
Original Publication Date: September 2012
Updates: 97
You might have the desire to teach the next generation, but the early childhood education profession requires a college degree, and a degree takes money. Scholarships and financial aid programs can help offset some of the expenses associated with earning a degree. Early childhood education students are eligible for these specialized scholarships. Take a look at our list of Early Childhood Education Scholarships and get matched with the ones you qualify for.
20 Top Scholarships for Early Childhood Education
| Scholarship Title | Amount | Minimum GPA |
| Association on American Indian Affairs | Varies | 2.50 |
| Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation | Varies | Varies |
| Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship Program | $7,500 | 2.50 |
| Phi Delta Kappa Prospective Educator Scholarships | $500-$4,000 | Varies |
| Applegate-Jackson-Parks Future Teacher Scholarship | $1,000 | N/A |
| PATCH Early Childhood Education Scholarship | $750 | N/A |
| The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship | $20,000 | 3.00 |
| American Montessori Society Teacher Education Scholarship Fund | Varies | 2.50 |
| Ab Irvine Scholarship Program | $2,000 | 3.00 |
| AFT Robert G Porter Scholars Program | $8,000 | 2.75 |
| Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program | $250-$500 per credit | Varies |
| Institute for Citizens and Scholars Teaching Fellows | Varies | Varies |
| Siemens Foundation Teacher Scholarship | $4,000 | 3.00 |
| NAACP Scholarships (Uplift Scholarship) | $10,000 | 3.00 |
| Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program | Varies | Varies |
| John, Rebecca, and Drew Logan Scholarship | $10,000/year | 3.00 |
| The Tomorrow’s Teacher Scholarship Program | $5,000 | 3.50 |
| Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program | $10,000 | 3.00 |
| Prospective Teacher Scholarship Loan | Varies | Varies |
| Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program | Varies | Varies |
1. Association on American Indian Affairs Scholarships
Early childhood scholarships are available for students enrolled with a federally recognized or non-federally recognized Tribe from the continental United States or Alaska. Scholarships vary in amount and disbursements get made twice/year until the student graduates, as long as they maintain a 2.5 GPA and attend full-time.
2. Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation
The Alpha Kappa Alpha organization offers many different scholarships, including Merit, Financial Need, and Youth Partners Accessing Capital scholarships. The amount of the award varies depending on the specific scholarship, as do minimum GPA requirements.
3. Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship
The Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship program offers a $7,500 award for minority early childhood educators in the state of Illinois. Applicants must reside in Illinois and be a minority student with a high school diploma or GED. To qualify for the award, you must have a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
4. Phi Delta Kappa Prospective Educator Scholarships
If you are a high school or college student with a membership in Phi Delta Kappa, or you have a parent that is a member, you can qualify for early childhood educators scholarships. Applicants must submit a personal statement and a description of their involvement with the organization. You must also submit a letter of recommendation.
5. Applegate-Jackson-Parks Future Teacher Scholarship
The Applegate Jackson Parks Future Teacher Scholarship is a $1000 annual scholarship in honor of three Michigan teachers terminated from their job for refusing to pay union dues. The scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students majoring in education. One of the application requirements includes writing a 500-word essay regarding unionism in the education field.
6. PATCH Early Childhood Education Scholarship
Funded by the Department of Human Services, this scholarship provides reimbursement for early childhood specific classes held in the state of Hawaii. You can receive awards up to $750 per round with three rounds each year (August, January, and May). Funds are distributed on a first come, first serve basis due to limited amounts.
7. The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship
This achievement-based scholarship is a $20,000 award given to 150 students in their last year of high school. Students get recognized for their ability to lead and serve. Applicants must plan to pursue a degree at an accredited US institution of higher learning.
8. American Montessori Society Teacher Education Scholarship Fund
The AMS provides scholarships for early childhood education students who have been accepted or are already enrolled in an AMS affiliated teacher education program. Applicants get evaluated based on financial need, letters of recommendation, and their personal statement. Awards vary in amount.
9. Ab Irvine Scholarship Program
Awarded in memory of Ab Irvine, a committed Civitan and Special Olympics volunteer, the scholarship consists of two awards of $2,000 each. It is open to college students who are majoring in special education, learning disabilities, and other specialized areas of the field. You must be a legal residence in the Great Southwest District (Colorado, New Mexico, or El Paso County, Texas) to qualify for this program.
10. AFT Robert G Porter Scholars Program
If you are a dependent of a current AFT member, you can apply for this four-year, $8,000 post-secondary scholarship to further your own educational degree. Recipients must maintain a 2.75 GPA to renew their award. There are also 10 $1,000 grants issued to AFT members continuing their education.
11. Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program
If you are a resident of Massachusetts (for at least one year) and have completed high school with the plans of working in early childhood education, you are eligible for the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship. The award amount depends on your plans for college. If you plan to attend UMASS, there’s a $500 per credit award. If you plan to attend a community college, you can receive $250 per credit.
12. Institute for Citizens and Scholars
The Institute for Citizens and Scholars offers several different fellowship opportunities for future leaders in education. These include the Career Enhancement Fellowship and the WW Teaching Fellowship. The WW Teaching Fellows program provides financial support and mentorship to students who complete a specially designed master’s degree program at a partner university.
13. Siemens Foundation Teacher Scholarship
Siemens scholarships are awarded to high school juniors who are children of exempt or non-exempt Siemens employees. The $4,000 award is administered through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Recipients get selected based on academic records and test scores. Recommendations, significant educational contributions, and the student’s statement of goals and interests also get considered.
14. NAACP Scholarships
The NAACP offers many scholarships to their members, many of which are geared toward those majoring in education. One popular scholarship is the Uplift Scholarship. These scholarships get awarded to students pursuing undergraduate degrees. There are 30, $10,000 scholarships awarded each year. Applicants must be African American or a person of color, and a member of the NAACP.
15. Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program
The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program offers financial support to higher education institutions to offer scholarships and stipends to STEM students. The program encourages science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors to become K-12 math and science teachers. Award amounts vary.
16. John, Rebecca and Drew Logan Scholarship
This scholarship is offered to full-time undergraduate students who want to become teachers. Candidates should have a demonstrated passion for children and lifelong learning. Students with an interest in working with children with learning disabilities get priority. The award is renewable as long as the recipient maintains at least a 3.0 GPA.
17. The Tomorrow’s Teacher Scholarship Program
The Tomorrow’s Teacher Scholarship Program awards financial support to Kansas residents who plan to pursue a degree in education from Kansas State University. These early childhood education scholarships and grants include the Tomorrow’s Teacher Award. This cash award of $5,000 year helps offset the cost of tuition and books. Other awards included in the Tomorrow’s Teacher Award program include the Barbara C. Blatz Award and the Elvon and Lydia Skeen Award. Both give cash awards for tuition and books.
18. Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program
Offered through the College Foundation of West Virginia, this scholarship is open to residents of the state of West Virginia seeking a career in education. Future early education and care teachers can apply for a $10,000 renewable scholarship. Recipients must agree to teach in West Virginia public schools in an area of critical need for five years.
19. Prospective Teacher Scholarship Loan
The Prospective Teacher Scholarship Loan Program is a forgivable loan program for students planning to complete their degree to teach in North Carolina public school districts. Recipients can qualify for loan forgiveness once they obtain licensure and accept a job as a qualified teacher in the state of North Carolina.
20. Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program
Early childhood educators already working in the field of ECE may be eligible for financial assistance while they earn their degree from a member institution. This program was created to address the shortage of early care and education educators. Applicants must be enrolled or accepted at a two- or four-year institution working on an undergraduate degree in early childhood education to qualify for the program.
