Early Childhood Workforce Scholarships

Do you work in an early childhood center? Would you like to earn a credential, certificate, two year, four year or graduate degree? Fill out the Scholarship Application to schedule an appointment with an early childhood Career Advisor and review your eligibility for one or more scholarships.

Both the B5 CUNY-SUNY Early Childhood Workforce Scholarship and the QUALITYstarsNY Scholarship use a common application. Use the link to apply for both or either scholarship. Your regional Career Development Center advisor will review your application and help guide you in the scholarship process.

Learn more about each scholarship below:

The B5 CUNY-SUNY Early Childhood Workforce Scholarship | The QUALITYstarsNY Scholarship

Apply Now
See below for details

Upcoming Info Sessions

Select the county below that you currently or most often work in for a list of B5 SUNY-CUNY Workforce Scholarship information sessions in your region.

Select your regional Career Development Center

We now have Career Development Centers in all 10 economic development regions of New York State. Select the county you most often work, or plan to work in to help us match you with your regional team. We'll remember your selection for the next time you visit.

For Questions about the scholarship, contact: careeradvisor@earlychildhoodny.org

B5 CUNY-SUNY Early Childhood Workforce Scholarship

Eligibility for the B5 CUNY-SUNY Early Childhood Workforce Scholarship

Applicants must be employed 20 hours or more per week in a licensed Child Care or Family/Group family Child care setting
Applicants must be attending or applying to a CUNY or SUNY university, taking credit bearing courses leading to a certificate, degree or credential.
After applying for the CUNY/SUNY Workforce Scholarship, eligible applicants must also apply for EIP scholarships. Individuals must receive the maximum EIP award prior to eligibility for NYSB5 CUNY/SUNY Workforce Scholarship funds.
The scholarship grant is needs based and applicants must submit a 1040 and a current paystub to demonstrate need to PDP EIP.
Applicants must have an Aspire Registry ID. Learn more and get your ID!
Selected applicants are required to meet with an Institute advisor to engage in career advisement activities, create Study Plan and sign participation agreement.

Frequently Asked Questions About the B5 CUNY-SUNY Early Childhood Workforce Scholarship

Do I need to reapply for the B5 funding to EIP if I have already submitted an EIP application?

No. This process has changed for 2023. EIP will not be managing or distributing the B5 funding in 2023.
If I work in a Family/Group Family Day care, will I qualify?

Yes. This has been updated as of 2022.
If I work as a nanny or babysitter, will I qualify for the scholarship?

No. All applicants must be working in a licensed facility that is regulated under OCFS or NYC DOHMH Article 47 regulations.
What happens if I fail or drop a course? Will the scholarship still fund the course?

No. If a student fails, drops, or withdraws, the student becomes responsible for all financial liabilities with the school. If the Institute has already paid for the course, you will be responsible to reimburse the Institute and you will be unable to qualify for future scholarships until the debt is settled.
How do I know if I received an Award?

Applicants will receive an email from the Institute’s Career center with a confirmed award letter, typically within ten business days of a complete and approved award.
How many classes will the B5 Workforce scholarship cover?

The Institute will cover up to $2000 for part time students. The B5 CUNY-SUNY workforce scholarship requires students to be part-time. Students can participate in up to nine (9) credits or three courses. The maximum coverage for the B5 CUNY-SUNY Workforce scholarship is $2000.
What is the total amount I could potentially qualify for?

Applicants must exhaust the $2500 EIP first and then candidates will be eligible for an additional $2000 for a total of $4500 in 2023.
Can I be disqualified from the program/award?

Yes. Students who do not submit grades or meet with their advisor as required, will be disqualified from the program.

The QUALTYstarsNY Scholarship

If you work in a QUALITYstarsNY participating center and would like to earn a credential, certificate, two-year, four-year or graduate degree, schedule an appointment with an early childhood Career Advisor to review your eligibility for one or more scholarships. QUALITYstarsNY Scholarship (QSS) is funded through the American Recovery Program Act (ARPA). Eligibility and eligible program are outlined below.

Eligibility for the QUALITYstarsNY Scholarship

Applicants must be working in a QUALITYstarsNY participating program.
Must be attending at CUNY or SUNY Early Childhood Program
Awardees must meet with their assigned career advisor three times per semester

Eligible degree programs (majors and minors):

Early Childhood
- Programs leading to Early Childhood Teacher Certification in NY
- Infant Toddler Development
- Credit bearing Child Development Associate
Early Childhood Special Education (Early Childhood and All Grades [‘24])
ECE Bilingual Education
Literacy (Early Childhood and All Grades [’24])
Infant-Toddler Mental Health
CPAC programs
Early Childhood Business Management
Dual Childhood/Early Childhood teacher certification programs – must demonstrate enrolling in Dual program
Parent Educator/Leadership (Adelphi)
Educational Leadership (MA only)
All other majors are reviewed against QS standard needs for the center and a discussion with the QIP and Senior Director.
School Building Leadership (SBL)
Psychology (students with more than 72 credits) fall under SED funds

Majors Not Covered with ANY FUNDING

School District Leadership (SDL)
Psychology (new students)
Sociology
Business
Child Life
ABA
TESOL courses/programs (NYSED does not recognize/recommend TESOL instruction for children under the age of Grade 1)

Frequently Asked Questions About the QUALITYstarsNY Scholarship

Does QUALITYstarsNY Scholarship cover students who are already certified and need an extension or additional to their certification.

YES
How many courses per semester QUALITYstarsNY Scholarship will cover?

Up to 5 course per semester*
Will it cover Non-CUNY-SUNY Schools?
Under unique circumstances, which include:
- Students previously covered under the former QUALITYScholars award and still need to complete their degree.
- Participating attending Tribal colleges
- Participants going through the review process.
If a similar or equal program can be found in the CUNY/SUNY system then the request will be declined.
Will QUALITYstarsNY scholarship cover Fees or books?

Fees relevant to the course work are covered. Books are NOT covered
Will out of state students be covered

Yes – as long as they are employed at a participating QUALITYstarsNY program.
Will QUALITYstarsNY s cover Part time and Full Time Students?

Yes. Full time or part time will be covered
What is the minimum hours of work to be eligible for QUALITYstarsNY Scholarship ?

20 hours a week minimum
Can a non-classroom teacher be qualified for Funding (admin staff, janitorial staff etc.)?

Based on center needs and QS Standards needs of the program
Do participants need to meet with career advisors 3x per semester?

Yes, missed meetings will compromise scholarship and move the individual to suspension of funds.
Do participants need to report out grades?

Yes. Failure to do so will result in denial of future funds.
What happens if a student fails, drops or withdraws?

QUALITYstarsNY PD funds will cover. This will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and most likely suspend for one semester.
Can funding be used for prior course work/bursar holds?

Potentially. This is reviewed case by case. A cap will be applied.
Will this cover foreign evaluations?

Yes. An evaluation application must be completed and can be provided by the Career Advisor. Clients will not be reimbursed. This process MUST go through the career center.
Does the QSS cover Doctorate programs.

Applicants are reviewed on a case by case basis. If the program, dissertation and research questions meet the requirements of the funding course work may be covered by the scholarship.
What if I need to attend a Tribal college?

Applicants will be reviewed on a case by case basis. We want to ensure that all participants needs are met, and meet the QUALITYstarsNY requirements and NYS Higher Education standards, including that the college is accredited. It is possible that if you are seeking an early childhood degree from an accredited Tribal college that the QUALITYstarsNY scholarship can provide assistance.
What if I fail, drop or withdraw? Will I owe the Institute money? Will I have a bursar hold?

The QUALITYstarsNY Scholarship covers all liabilities of the course even if you fail, drop or withdraw, however you may be suspended from the scholarship in subsequent semesters.

Testimonials

“I am truly grateful that I was awarded with the CUNY/SUNY
Workforce Scholarship and QSNY scholarships. Being
awarded these scholarships has help me to pursue my CPAC
credential which will mark my career path. Through your
support I now have the ability to study without
the financial burden of paying for this course. Thank you for
investing in my future by helping me to
get one step closer to becoming an effective Childcare
Program Administrator. ”
Junisha Morrison

“The Work Force Scholarship gave me the opportunity to
pursue my CPAC Credential for a future leadership position
with my Head Start Program in Upstate New York.
The program’s built in support features, and working with the
Career Center really assisted in a smooth transition back
to school where I am enrolled at CUNY SPS!”
Raina Cashdollar

“The Scholarship makes it easier and financially possible
to prepare for the real world. This scholarships allowed
me, a teacher, to be more qualified.”
Lilik Wijayanti

“I have been blessed to receive the Workforce scholarship
for my education courses. I am almost done. Words cannot
describe how I feel. Many, many Thanks”
Fatima G.

“I made a great decision in enrolling at the CUNY School
of Professional Studies CDA Program. I am happy
and proud to say that I have earned my Child Development
Associate Certificate in Preschool.
The professors in the program are knowledgeable
in the field of early childhood education and share the
joy they have working in the early childhood field..."

"...Everything I learned in my classes has helped me
as an assistant teacher in my classroom working with my
students. I want to say how appreciative I am for the assistance
of Ms. Claudine Campanelli and Ms. Maxine Barton for
answering any questions I had about the CDA Program;
I always felt welcome going to their office.
I was guided on how to apply for scholarships
as well helping me complete my portfolio.
My portfolio was well-done and I will always
treasure the experience I had in the CDA Program.
After earning a CUNY SPS CDA certificate,
I wanted to earn the CDA from the National Credentialing
Program. The CDA in CUNY SPS gave
me the confidence to take the CDA
Exam and the PD Verification Visit in my classroom.
Thank you CUNY School of Professional Studies
for helping me achieve my goals
in obtaining the Preschool CDA certificate
and the Preschool CDA from the
National Credentialing Program."

Important Resources

Tax Implications of Scholarship, Grants, and Employer Reimbursement Programs

Enhanced NY B5 CUNY-SUNY Early Childhood Workforce Scholarship Guide

NYS Career Ladder

Teacher Certification

Career Paths in Early Childhood Education

Approved Teacher Preparation Programs