SCHOLARSHIPS Program
Supporting Professional Development

The SCHOLARSHIPS Program provides educational assistance for Georgia’s early care and educational professionals pursuing credentials or degrees in early childhood education or child development. SCHOLARSHIPS assists eligible applicants with tuition and mandatory fees and provides a support stipend directly to the recipient. SCHOLARSHIPS recipients may enroll in a Technical College System of Georgia institution or any HOPE-eligible public or private college or university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Eligible institutions must offer an approved program of study. Recipients may pursue a technical college certificate, diploma/degree or an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

Early care and education professionals who work with children birth through five years of age and younger and earn $15.00 or less per hour may be eligible for SCHOLARSHIPS. Teachers, assistant teachers, directors or assistant directors and family child care providers licensed by Bright from the Start or the Department of Defense child care programs may be eligible. Teachers and assistant teachers must work at least 25 hours per week in a child care setting; owners, directors, and assistant directors must work 40 hours per week.

For a SCHOLARSHIPS application and more detailed information, visit the Care Solutions website at www.caresolutions.com or call 770-642-6722 or 1-800-227-3410 (toll-free).

The SCHOLARSHIPS Program is a professional development initiative of Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, designed to increase the number of well-qualified and credentialed professionals in early care and education settings.

INCENTIVES Program
Supporting Professional Development

The INCENTIVES program is a salary supplement initiative that rewards early care and education professionals in Georgia for their educational attainment and for remaining employed in the same child care program for 12 consecutive months. Awards range from $250 to $1250 depending on the level of education attained. Approved applicants, who meet all program eligibility requirements, receive two payments at each higher level attained.

To be eligible for INCENTIVES, applicants must hold either Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, technical college certificate or diploma, or associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree in early childhood education or child development. They must also have been employed in the same child care program for at least 12 consecutive months and work with children birth through five years of age. Eligible professionals earn $15.00 or less per hour and work as teachers, assistant teachers, directors or assistant directors in a child care program that is state or nationally accredited or that serves low income children. Teachers and assistant teachers must work at least 25 hours per week in a child care setting; owners, directors and assistant directors must work 40 hours per week.

For an INCENTIVES application and more detailed information about eligibility and benefits, visit the Care Solutions website at www.caresolutions.com or call 770-642-6722 or 1-800-227-3410 (toll-free).

The INCENTIVES Program is professional development initiative of Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning designed to increase the number of well-qualified and credentialed professionals in early care and education settings.