Does Financial Aid Cover the Cost of an Early Childhood Education Degree?

An early childhood education (ECE) degree prepares students to work as teachers for young children. Programs examine child development, discuss young learners' educational needs, and share important teaching methods for educators. They might also help students earn a teaching credential.

Enrolling in this degree program can set you on the right track toward a career to work as an early childhood education teacher at a school or childcare center. However, enrollment isn't easy for students who can't pay tuition costs out of pocket.

Fortunately, financial aid options like work-study, federal grants, and student loans can help cover the cost of these degrees, including online early childhood education degrees. Below, we'll review the FAFSA application and how you can gain eligibility for financial aid. We'll also look at great financial aid options for students entering early childhood education degree programs.

What Is the FAFSA Form?

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The federal government offers this form to help students qualify for financial assistance. Some aid options include federal student loans, grants, and work-study jobs. Students might also use the FAFSA to get financial aid from states, schools, and private providers.

Eligibility Requirements

Qualifying for federal student aid through FAFSA starts with meeting basic eligibility requirements. They include:

• being a US citizen or eligible non-citizen
• having a valid Social Security number
• showing financial need for need-based federal aid programs
• being enrolled or accepted to enroll in an eligible degree or certificate program
• maintaining satisfactory academic progress
• being qualified to obtain a college education

Is FAFSA an Educational Scholarship?

FAFSA isn't an educational scholarship. The application is used to qualify for different types of financial aid like the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), and Direct Loans.

Students might also become eligible for educational scholarships from state and institutional programs after filling out the FAFSA form.

What Disqualifies You From Getting Financial Aid?

Before filling out the FAFSA form, you should ensure you're fully eligible to apply. This can help you avoid being disqualified from federal financial assistance in the future. Here are some reasons you might be disqualified from receiving financial aid:

• eligible non-citizen status expired or revoked
• grades slipped or not enough credits earned
• attempting to secure more financial aid with a defaulted student loan
• incarcerated but not enrolled in a prison education program
• received too many federal student loan or grant funds
• property subject to a judgment lien
• no high school diploma or equivalent

If you've been disqualified from receiving federal student aid, you might still have a chance at financial assistance. Contacting your financial aid office can help determine the best options for qualifying or being reinstated.

Financial Aid Options for Early Childhood Education Degrees

Whether you're interested in earning an associate, bachelor's, or master's degree in early childhood education, you could qualify for financial assistance to help you cover tuition. Alongside grants, student loans, and work-study are great scholarships and fellowships.

1. Early Childhood Education Degree Scholarships

A scholarship is a financial gift that doesn't require repayment. Students can typically use scholarship funds to cover the cost of tuition and other education expenses.

Businesses, nonprofit organizations, schools, and other entities offer scholarships. Here are some for students interested in early childhood education careers.

TEACH Early Childhood Scholarship

The TEACH Early Childhood Initiative provides scholarships to students interested in becoming early educators. Scholarships help students pay for coursework that leads to credentials and degrees. Scholarship opportunities vary by state.

Eligibility requirements also vary but typically include students working minimum hours weekly in a qualifying childcare facility.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship is a $20,000 annual award granted to 150 Coca-Cola scholars. Applicants should be enrolled in high school or home-schooled in one of the 50 U.S. states, DC, Puerto Rico, or a select U.S. Department of Education school. They should expect to earn their high school diploma in the current academic year with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program

The Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program is granted to students pursuing a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or a qualification as a childcare director. The award amount for this scholarship varies. Students who reside in Boone or Winnebago counties in Illinois can apply.

2. Early Childhood Education Degree Fellowships

A fellowship provides financial assistance for students' academic, professional, or personal development. Students might receive a living stipend or tuition assistance to conduct research, work on a community-based project, or complete graduate coursework. Below are some of the top early childhood education degree fellowships.

The Integrated Research & Policy Fellowship

The Integrated Research & Policy Fellowship supports the leadership development of early care and education professionals. This 10-month paid program teaches key issues across the National ECE Workforce Center's five policy areas. Research Fellows must be enrolled in an education or related graduate program. Policy fellows must be employed as early educators.

Zero to Three Fellowship Program

The Zero to Three Fellowship Program is an 18-month professional development program. It involves six in-person gatherings, a written curriculum, four intensive retreats, and individual coaching.

Fellows gain leadership development, public policy, social justice, and program messaging experience. They receive financial support to attend the fellowship program.

The Early Education Fellowship Program

The Early Education Fellowship Program for Inclusion, Equity, and Belonging comes from Cultivate Learning at the University of Washington's College of Education.

This fully-funded, 12-month program is designed for Washington state superintendents, directors, principals, and others in similar roles. Fellows learn effective leadership skills to support the workforce.

3. Early Childhood Education Grants

Grants, like scholarships, are free money that doesn't have to be repaid. Demonstrating financial need could help you qualify for federal grants like the Pell Grant and FSEOG. As an early childhood education student, you might also be eligible for a TEACH Grant.

TEACH Grants

A Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant is federal financial assistance for students who agree to complete a teaching service obligation. Eligibility is granted to students who:

• meet basic FAFSA eligibility criteria and complete the FAFSA form
• are enrolled at a school that participates in the TEACH Grant Program
• are enrolled in a TEACH-Grant-eligible program
• meet academic achievement requirements
• receive TEACH Grant counseling

Eligible students get up to $4,000 a year in grant funds. In exchange, recipients must agree to serve as a full-time teacher for four elementary or secondary school years at a qualifying school. Not meeting the service obligation could result in the grant converting to a loan.

4. Student Loans

Student loans are funds college students borrow to pay education expenses. They must be repaid with interest. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 38% of first-time, full-time degree/certificate-seeking undergrads received loan aid for the 2020-2021 school year. Federal student loans include:

• Direct PLUS Loans
• Direct Subsidized Loans
• Direct Unsubsidized Loans

Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for federal loans. They could also pursue private student loans from banks, credit unions, and private lenders.

5. Work-Study Programs

Students with financial need might qualify for the Federal Work-Study Program. This program offers part-time jobs to help undergraduate and graduate students cover education expenses. Work-study jobs are typically available on and off campus and align with students' courses of study. Pay usually starts at the federal minimum wage.