Early Childhood
Workforce Scholarship

The Early Childhood Career Development Center coordinated participation in the Early Childhood Workforce Scholarship Program, made possible by federal funding through the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B5), for more than 2,000 students from 2020 to 2024. Although B5 funding has concluded, we are accepting applications for a wait list in the event more funds become available.

Needs a good image here

Information

Please read the following information carefully before applying for the Early Childhood Workforce Scholarship.

Attention

Scholarship applications are now open to apply. Please find the application button after the FAQs.

NOTE: As of June 2024 the CUNY-SUNY B5 Early Childhood Workforce funds have been exhausted. We are still taking applications, as we are placing candidates on a wait list if additional funds become available.
Attention

If you applied for 2025 and still need to meet with an advisor, please use the links below to schedule an advisement session. Please DO NOT Apply again.

If you are seeking funding for 2025, you MUST submit a NEW application. Please fill out a new application .

To ensure a successful and complete advisement and goal setting meeting with your advisor, please be prepared with the following information and items. If you are still in the application and enrollment phase with your college or have not applied, please notify your advisor.

If you have not completed the current year's scholarship application, please complete it. A new application is required EACH YEAR.
Personal ASPIRE ID (not the Organization ASPIRE ID number)
School ID number
School email address
School course codes, number of credits for each course
Ebill (PDF)
Student transcript of graded - PDF (for end of semester meetings and grade reporting)

Feel free to email this information ahead of time to your advisor.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this needs-based scholarship, you must:

Applicants must be employed 20 hours or more per week in a licensed Child Care or Family/Group Family Child care setting.
Hold an Aspire Registry ID. Learn more and get your ID!
Applicants must be taking credit-bearing courses leading to a certificate, degree or credential.
Eligible applicants must also apply for EIP scholarships. This can be completed during the advisement meeting.
Individuals must receive the maximum EIP award before eligibility for the Early Childhood CUNY-SUNY B5 Workforce Scholarship funds.
The CUNY-SUNY B5 scholarship grant is needs-based and applicants must submit a 1040 and a current paystub to demonstrate the need for PDP EIP.
Selected applicants are required to meet with an Institute advisor to engage in career advisement activities, create a Study Plan and sign a participation agreement.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. This has been updated as of 2022.

No. All applicants must be working in a licensed facility that is regulated under OCFS or NYC DOHMH Article 47 regulations.

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.

Notification process depends on the award. EIP and the CUNY-SUNY B5 Early Childhood Workforce scholarships decisions can be found in the PDP portal, as well as an email from PDP. QUALITYstarsNY and the Institute Scholarship awardees are notified via email from the Early Childhood Career Development Center.

The award will cover up to $2,000 for part time students. The B5 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 Workforce scholarship is $2,000.

Applicants must exhaust the $2,500 EIP first and then candidates will be eligible for an additional $2,000 for a total of $4,500 in 2024.

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

Contact

For questions about the scholarship, please contact:

Apply

Apply Now