Institute Menu
Scholarship eligibility requirements
To be eligible for a QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship, you must:
- Be working 20 or more hours per week in a participating QUALITYstarsNY program in a teaching or leadership role.
- Be a full-time or part-time student taking coursework in early childhood education at a CUNY or SUNY college.
- Be using or have exhausted your Educational Incentive Program (EIP) funding, if eligible.
- Have an active, current Aspire Registry ID number and profile.
- Be in good standing with the Career Center (i.e., if you are currently a Career Center client, be up to date with required meetings, grade submissions, etc.).
- Be prepared to meet with a Career Center advisor three times per semester
- Report your grades to the Career Center.
- Have been continuously employed for at least 12 months at a QUALITYstarsNY program*.
*Multiple locations count; applies only to applicants seeking tuition funding
If you are ineligible for the QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship and wish to discuss other funding opportunities, please email careeradvisor@earlychildhoodny.org.
Application process
The QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship online application will open on July 1, 2024. The deadline to submit the application is July 14, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. No exceptions will be made for late submissions.
Get ready to apply
To complete the application, you'll need to know your current, active Aspire Registry ID number. Before you apply, log into your Aspire Registry profile and make sure your information is accurate and up to date. Be sure that your QUALITYstarsNY program has verified this information in the Aspire Registry:
- Your current employer/QUALITYstarsNY program name
- Your position title
- Your start date at your QUALITYstarsNY program
Also review your:
- School, degree and major
- Study plan status, if applicable
You should also be prepared with the following information:
- The number of credits you need to complete your degree
- The names and codes of the courses you plan to take in the upcoming semester, if available
- Proof of your enrollment (such as an e-bill or student transcript), if available
- Proof of the estimated cost of your tuition (such as an e-bill or screenshot of an invoice), if available
- Proof of award or denial of funding from the Educational Incentive Program (EIP), if applicable
The online application should take about 15-20 minutes to complete. You'll be able to save your progress and return to your application before you submit.
Applicants will be notified about their funding decision during the week of July 22, 2024.
Scholarship benefits
- Scholarship funds to complete an early childhood education degree or credit-bearing certification, credential, or coursework
- College and career advisement from the Career Development Center to ensure you are on the correct pathway for your personal career journey
Additional funding support
- Funding for teacher certification exams and international transcript translation and evaluation is available through the workforce scholarship application, which will reopen on July 1. Applications will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility
➔ What are the eligibility requirements for a QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship?
- Be working 20 or more hours per week in a participating QUALITYstarsNY program in a teaching or leadership role
- Be a full-time or part-time student taking coursework in early childhood education at a CUNY or SUNY college
- Be using or have exhausted your Educational Incentive Program (EIP) funding, if applicable
- Have an active, current Aspire Registry ID number and profile
- Be in good standing with the Career Center (i.e., if you are currently a Career Center client, be up to date with required meetings, grade submissions, etc)
- Be prepared to meet with a Career Center advisor three times per semester
- Report your grades to the Career Center
- Have been continuously employed for at least 12 months at a QUALITYstarsNY program.*
➔ Does the QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship cover students who are already certified and need an extension or additions to their current certification?
Yes. For students who are certified in childhood or secondary education and seeking certification in early childhood education (ECE), the ECE extension cost for additional coursework and exam(s) will be covered.
➔ What if I am admitted to college but I have not enrolled in classes for the fall? Can I still apply for funding?
Yes. You will need to work closely with your Early Childhood Career Development Center advisor for guidance on all questions and to confirm your enrollment. Failure to confirm enrollment by the start of the semester will result in a forfeit of funds.
➔ Am I eligible for a QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship if I live outside New York State?
Yes, if you live out of state but are employed at a participating QUALITYstarsNY program and attend a CUNY or SUNY college, you are eligible for funding. The QUALITYstarsNY scholarship will fund the CUNY/SUNY tuition rate. If your tuition is higher as an out-of-state student, you are responsible for the difference between the CUNY/SUNY tuition rate and the out-of-state rate.
➔ Will the QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship cover part-time and full-time students?
Yes. Full-time and part-time students are both eligible for funding.
➔ Can a non-classroom teacher be eligible for a QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship (administrative staff, janitorial staff, etc.)?
No, staff other than program leaders and teaching staff are not eligible for funding.
Application process
➔ When and where will the QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship application be available?
The QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship application will open on July 1, 2024, on the Early Childhood Career Development Center website.
➔ What is the deadline to complete the QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship application?
The deadline to submit the application is Sunday, July 14, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
➔ How long will it take to complete the application?
It should take you about 15-20 minutes to complete the application.
➔ What will I need in order to complete my QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship application?
You must know your current, active Aspire Registry ID. If available, you should also be prepared to upload your proof of enrollment (such as an e-bill or transcript) and estimated tuition costs (such as an e-bill or screenshot of invoice).
➔ Will I be able to save my application and come back to it?
Yes, you will be able to save your application progress and return to complete it at another time. You must submit your completed application by 11:59 p.m. on July 14, 2024, to be considered.
➔ Who will review my QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship application?
A Career Center advisor will review your application to determine your eligibility. If you are determined to be eligible for funding, an independent panel will review all applications using a rubric that takes a range of criteria into account.
➔ If I miss the July 14 deadline, will I have another opportunity to apply?
The fall 2024 semester deadline for funding is Sunday, July 14, at 11:59 p.m. Exceptions will not be made for late submissions. The spring 2025 semester deadline will be published on August 1.
➔ When will I be notified if I have been awarded a QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship?
You will be notified about the status of your application during the week of July 22, 2024. If you are awarded scholarship funding, advisement meetings will begin that week. You must confirm your enrollment by the beginning of the semester, or you will forfeit your funding.
➔ Is there an appeals process if my application for funds is denied?
Due to the limited funds, decisions are final.
➔ If I do not receive QUALITYstarsNY scholarship funding, can I still meet with a Career Center advisor?
Yes! Your advisor can help you explore available funding opportunities and options.
➔ If I do not receive QUALITYstarsNY scholarship funding this semester, may I reapply in the future? Do I need to resubmit an application?
If you do not receive funding for the fall 2024 semester, you may reapply later this year for the spring 2025 semester. You must submit a new application when it becomes available.
➔ If I am awarded funding for fall 2024, am I guaranteed funding for the spring 2025 semester?
No. The QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship will evaluate all applications each semester. Funding in one semester does not guarantee funding in future semesters.
Coverage and exclusions
➔ How many courses per semester will the QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship cover?
Coverage is determined by budget availability, demonstration of acceptable grades and meeting the requirement of the scholarship program. The maximum coverage is one course per semester (two courses per year). All approvals are at the discretion of available funding.
➔ Can a QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship be used at schools other than CUNY and SUNY?
- A student who was previously a QUALITYScholars or QUALITYstarsNY Scholarship awardee and still needs to complete their degree
- A student who is attending a Tribal college
- A student undergoing the review process. Requests will be declined for programs similar to existing CUNY and SUNY programs.
➔ Will the QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship cover books?
No. Fees for books relevant to the coursework are not covered.
➔ Can funding be used for prior coursework/bursar holds?
No. Bursar holds and prior bills will not be covered.
➔ Can the QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship be used toward international transcript evaluation and translation?
If you work in a participating QUALITYstarsNY program, QUALITYstarsNY may cover international transcript evaluation and translation, but not through the QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship. You must apply separately using the workforce scholarship application, which will also open on July 1. Applications will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted.
➔ Can the QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship be used toward fees for teacher certification exams?
If you work in a participating QUALITYstarsNY program, QUALITYstarsNY may cover your early childhood education teacher exam fees, but not through the QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship. You must apply separately using the workforce scholarship application, which will open on July 1. Applications will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. Exam fees for subjects outside early childhood education (such as School Building Leadership or all grades literacy) are not covered.
➔ Can the QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship be used toward application fees for teacher certification?
No, the QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship does not cover application fees.
➔ Can the QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship be used toward fees for workshops?
No. The QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship is for credit-bearing coursework. Workshop fees are not covered.
➔ Does the QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship cover doctoral programs?
The QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship does not fund doctoral candidates at this time.
➔ What if I need to attend a Tribal college for an early childhood degree?
Applicants attending Tribal colleges will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. We want to ensure that all participants' needs are met and that colleges meet QUALITYstarsNY requirements and NYS Higher Education standards, including that the college is accredited.
➔ What majors does the QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship cover?
- Early childhood
- Programs leading to early childhood teacher certification in New York
- Infant-toddler development
- Credit-bear Child Development Associate (CDA)
- Early childhood special education
- Early childhood bilingual education
- Children's Program Administrator Credential (CPAC)
- Early childhood business management
- Early childhood/childhood dual teacher certification
Expectations for recipients
➔ When will my school be notified that I have received a QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship?
You must meet with your Career Center advisor between July 22 and Aug 15. Your school will be notified after you meet with your advisor.
➔ What happens if I do not meet with my advisor three times per semester?
QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship recipients are required to meet with advisors at least three times per semester. Participants who fail to meet this requirement may have their scholarship suspended.
➔ Do participants need to report our grades?
Yes. Failure to do so will result in a denial of future funds.
➔ What happens if I drop or change classes before the start of the term?
If you change or drop a course before the start of the term, you are required to report the change as soon as possible. Drops are only defined as class changes or removal from enrollment with zero financial liability prior to the start of the term. Failure to report the change or drop will result in suspension from funds for up to 12 months.
➔ What happens if I fail or withdraw from a course?
QUALITYstarsNY Academic Scholarship funds cover courses even if you fail or withdraw, but you will not be eligible for additional funds the following semester. Students who fail or withdraw from courses will become eligible for funds again in 12 months.
➔ If I have questions regarding payment to the bursar, who can I contact?
You can initially connect with your career advisor, who can share the payment status of your account. QUALITYstarsNY cannot cover the balance of your tuition until we receive an invoice from your school. You can expect your campus to invoice QUALITYstarsNY after the last drop/withdraw date of classes. Please expect 6-8 weeks for payment to your institution after your institution invoices QUALITYstarsNY. Your college bursar account will continue to show a balance until the account is paid.
(646) 664-8261
info@earlychildhoodny.org
@NYEarlyChildPD
nypdi
PDI Blog