How to Get Started

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  • How to Get Started
    • Scholarship Models and Applications
      • Associate Degree Scholarship
      • Bachelor Degree Scholarship
      • CDA Assessment Fee Scholarship
  • Resources
    • College & University Directory
    • Current Scholars
    • Early Childhood Career Pathways

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Step 1: Who is Eligible? 

Early childhood educators who: 

• Are employed at least 30 hours per week at a licensed child care center or licensed or registered family child care home 
• Have a high school diploma or GED 
• Earn $20 or less per hour 
• Are a Texas resident.  

CDA Assessment Fee scholarship applicants must have already completed their 120 training hours, CDA portfolio, and family questionnaires.   

Bachelor degree scholarship applicants must also have an associate degree in child development, or something equivalent, or 60 hours of transferrable college credit hours.   

Step 2:  Commitment from Sponsoring Employer

Scholarship recipients are required to be supported by their employer.  Your sponsoring employer will complete part of the application and commit to covering a portion of the cost for each scholarship model.   

For CDA Assessment Fee scholarships, sponsoring employers commit to covering a portion of the CDA assessment fee and providing increased compensation upon completion.  

For associate and bachelor degree scholarships, sponsoring employers commit to covering a portion of tuition and books and providing increased compensation upon completion.  

Step 3: Identify which scholarship model supports your educational goals.   

CDA Assessment Fee Scholarship 

This scholarship helps cover the cost of the CDA assessment fee once the applicant has completed their 120 hours of required training. This means that applicants have completed the 120 hours of required training covering the eight CDA subject areas, prepared their CDA professional portfolio, and completed the family questionnaires.  

Associate Degree Scholarship  

Associate degree scholarships provide financial support for those attending publicly funded community colleges earning their associate degree in child development and/or early childhood.  These scholarships are awarded in renewable, one-year contracts. 

Bachelor Degree Scholarship

Bachelor degree scholarships provide financial support for those attending publicly funded universities earning their bachelor’s degree in child development and/or early childhood.  These scholarships are awarded in renewable, one-year contracts.  Eligible bachelor degree plans include but are not limited to: 

• Child Development 
• Early Childhood Education 
• Human Development and Family Studies
• Family and Consumer Sciences
• Early Childhood – 3rd grade
  Learn More

Step 4: Create CDA Council account / Complete college admissions process 

CDA Assessment Fee Scholarship

Obtain copies of training documentation, ensure family questionnaires and professional portfolio are complete.   Select a Professional Development Specialist to conduct the classroom observation. To find a PD Specialist, create an account at cdacouncil.org . Under the Educator Pathways tab, select Find A PD Specialist. Search for a specialist and contact them to receive their ID number to include on your application.

Associate Degree Scholarship 

Select and apply to a publicly funded community college with an eligible degree plan. To find a college, visit the College and University directory by clicking HERE.  To complete the admissions application to any public community college in Texas, apply at ApplyTexas.org 

Bachelor Degree Scholarship 

Select and apply to a publicly funded university with an eligible degree plan. To find a university, visit the College and University directory by clicking HERE.  To complete the admissions application to any public community college in Texas, apply at ApplyTexas.org  

Step 5:  Complete a T.E.A.C.H. application 

Applications are accepted year-round.  

Associate and bachelor applicants are recommended to begin the T.E.A.C.H. application process and the college process at the same time.  Applicants are encouraged to submit the T.E.A.C.H. application two (2) months prior to the desired semester start date. T.E.A.C.H. applications take 2-4 weeks for review.