Early Childhood Educators Scholarshipjointly administered by:

Massachusetts Department of Early Education and CareMassachusetts Board of Higher Education

Office of Student Financial Assistance

EEC Board

March 11, 2008

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.

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 7070-0065).

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.

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

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.

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

ECE Scholarship Program – Number of Recipients by Institution Type

Institution FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2008*

Community College 99 222 268

State College 40 113 159

University Mass 29 66 107

Independent Colleges 159 271 39

~ 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

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.

ECE Scholarship Program – Recipient Income Ranges

Income Range FY 2006 FY 2007 $0 - $ 9,999 24 28 $10,000 - $19,999 48 93$20,000 - $39,999 119 234$40,000 - $59,999 59 108$60,000 - $79,999 35 112$80,000 - $99,999 15 46

100,000 - above 27 35

Pell Grant eligibility 51% 42%

Data provided by the Office of Student Financial Assistance

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.

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.

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 2008-2009 Application

Spring 2008