Scholarships Available for Early Childhood Education Employees

July 15 is the deadline to apply for fall semester Early Childhood Development Scholarships administered by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA). The scholarships can help early childcare employees earn additional credentials in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE) at Ashland Community and Technical College.

These scholarships can help our IECE graduates and others working in child care facilities increase their job skills and qualifications, said Robin Johns, ICEC Program Coordinator.

Scholarships are available to Kentuckys child care providers who work at least 20 hours per week or provide training in early childhood development at least 12 times per year for an approved organization. Kentuckians employed as a preschool associate teacher in a state-funded preschool program are also eligible.

Recipients must be working toward an associate or bachelors degree in early childhood education or other approved credential. Depending on funding, the scholarship will pay up to $1,800 for tuition each year. Students may not take more than nine hours of classes per semester.

Fall courses in ACTCs IECE Program are Orientation to Early Childhood Ed(IEC101), Foundations of Early Childhood Education(IEC102), Health, Safety and Nutrition(IEC120), Child Guidance(IEC200), Creative Expressions in IECE (IEC221) and Intro to Inclusive Education (IEC 235). These courses are all offered online.

To apply, students must submit an Early Childhood Development Scholarship application to KHEAA at www.kheaa.com. Applicants must also fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available at www.fafsa.gov. To complete the scholarship application, students set up a KHEAA account. After registering, they can sign in and select Apply Online for Scholarships.

Applicants should complete their applications as soon as possible, since funds are awarded on a first-come basis, Johns said.

Students new to ACTC or previous students who have not taken ACTC classes for a semester or more will also need to fill out an ACTC admissions form, available at ashland.kctcs.edu. August 3 is last day to apply to ACTC, and fall classes start August 17.

For more information or IECE credentials atACTC, email rjohns0006@kctcs.edu.