Scholarship Program

The New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) provides scholarship opportunities that make it possible for early childhood professionals to afford coursework leading to advanced credentials and degrees.  The scholarship program supports professionals who work in: child care settings (licensed, registered, or tribal), state-funded or tribally funded NM PreK or Early PreK programs, Head Start/Early Head Start, Home Visiting Programs, FIT-Early Intervention Programs, or NM PreK, Title I, or 619 Preschool Programs in public schools.  Scholarship awards include one semester of funding for tuition, fees, and associated textbooks and have the possibility of renewal each semester.  Dedicated Scholarship Coaches work directly with scholars to support their pursuit of advanced credentials and degrees.

  • Click here for a PDF flyer regarding the ECECD Scholarship Program:  English          Spanish
Scholarship Payment Information
  • Once you upload all required documents, your coach will send an Authorization Ticket to the college/university letting them know the ECECD Scholarship will pay your tuition, fees, and books after all Financial Aid and other scholarships have been applied.
  • You may still see a balance on your account until your Scholarship is paid.  Typically the balance is shown as “Third Party” but this may not always be the case.
  • Scholarships are not paid to the colleges/universities until at least the middle of each semester.

Scholarship Information

For more information about the Scholarship Program, click here

Apply for the ECECD Scholarship

Apply for the ECECD Scholarship! Click here

Bilingual Incentive Payment

  • Early childhood educators may be eligible to receive a one-time incentive payment of $1,500 if they are certified bilingual.
  • Click here to apply for the incentive payment.
  • You will need to upload a copy of your certification document to your scholarship or wage supplement account:
      • passed PRAXIS-TESOL    or
      • passed La Prueba      or
      • bilingual seal on High School Diploma    or
      • Tribal/Pueblo/Nation Certification for indigenous languages
      • Other document showing proficiency
  • Click here for a PDF flyer regarding the ECECD Bilingual Incentive Program:  English          Spanish

Bilingual Incentive Program

Apply for the Bilingual Incentive Program! Click here

Wage Supplement Program

The New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) provides education-based supplemental wages to early childhood educators working in child care settings (licensed or registered), state-funded NM PreK or Early PreK, and Head Start/Early Head Start programs.  Applicants must work as a teacher, teacher’s assistant, or home child care provider.  Applicants must earn less than $16/hour; work a minimum of 20 hours/week in a qualified program, and have at least 5 credit hours of completed early childhood education coursework from a higher education institution.  The program is education-based and includes ten incremental levels;  the more education one attains, the more supplement one can receive.

You can apply for the Wage Supplement Program at any time.  You will receive your supplement payment in the month following your 6-month qualification period.  Payments are based on full-time/part-time work status and education levels.

Click here for a PDF flyer regarding the ECECD Wage Supplement Program:  English          Spanish

Wage Supplement Program Information

For more information about the Wage Supplement Program, click here

Apply for the Wage Supplement Program

Apply for the Wage Supplement Program! Click here