ECECD Scholarship Information

Your path to credentials and degrees

Click here to apply for the ECECD Scholarship

The ECECD (Early Childhood Education and Care Department) Comprehensive Early Childhood Scholarship Program makes it possible for early childhood professionals to afford the expense of taking coursework that leads to credentials and degrees.  Qualification requirements for Payment Incentive and Scholarship programs are established by ECECD.  All program awards are subject to funding availability.

The ECECD Scholarship is based on a cost-share model for New Mexico early childhood employees working at a:

  • Early care and education programs that are licensed or registered through the Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD); or
  • Tribal child care; or
  • ECECD-funded PreK and Early PreK programs in a community-based setting; or
  • New Mexico (NM) PreK or Early PreK programs authorized by a public school or charter including Title I or 619 Preschool Programs; or
  • NM Head Start or Early Head Start programs; or
  • NM Tribal Head Start or Early Head Start programs; or
  • ECECD-funded New Mexico Home Visiting or Family Infant Toddler Programs; or
  • ECECD-funded Early Childhood Coalition Programs
  • Early Childhood faculty teaching either full-time or part-time at a New Mexico public or tribal higher education institution; or
  • ECECD-approved Social and Emotional Early Development (SEED) consultants contracted by ECECD to provide Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) services who are pursuing additional related degrees or accreditations, or individuals enrolled in degree or accreditation programs to become qualified to become SEED consultants contracted by ECECD to provided IECMH services.

To qualify for a scholarship, all applicants must:

  1. Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
  2. Enroll in a qualifying New Mexico institution of higher education (IHE) and work towards a degree or certificate in Early Childhood Education.
  3. Work with ages birth – five (up to Kindergarten).
  4. Work a minimum of 20 hours per week* at a qualifying Early Childhood Program in the state of New Mexico or as determined by a pre-approved internship program.
    • *Faculty Applicants must be teaching ECED courses at least part-time at qualifying Institutes of Higher Education
  5. Submit an employment letter of verification.  Your letter must include the following information:
    • Your name
    • Job Title
    • Ages of children you work with
    • Hours worked per week
    • Hourly rate of pay
    • The employment letter must be signed by your supervisor, on letterhead, and include your supervisor’s contact information. 
  6. Remain eligible throughout the duration of the scholarship.
  7. See additional responsibilities below.

Approved Certificate and Degree Programs:

(If you do not see your degree program listed below, please contact us to verify you would qualify)

Certificate:

  • Child Development
  • Program Administration
  • Infant Family Studies
  • Community Health Worker (Home Visiting/FIT Program only)

Associates:

  • Early Childhood Education Birth to Age 3
  • Early Childhood Education Age 3 to Grade 3
  • Program Administration
  • Infant Family Studies
  • Social Work (Home Visiting/FIT Program only)

Bachelors/Graduate:

  • Early Childhood Education Birth to Age 3
  • Early Childhood Education Age 3 to Grade 3
  • Early Childhood Education Program Administration Concentration
  • Early Childhood Education Infant Family Studies Concentration
  • Alternative Licensure with Early Childhood Education concentration (must complete within 2 years)
  • Pre K-12 Special Education Licensure with Early Childhood Education concentration
  • Social Work (Home Visiting/FIT Program/SEED Consultants only)
  • Counseling (Home Visiting Program/SEED Consultants only)

Read on to learn more about the responsibilities associated with each scholarship model or click on the link to the left to access your specific credential or degree program.  Our dedicated coaches are here to help you and answer any questions.

Certificate/Associates Degree

For scholars pursuing a Certificate or an Associate’s degree in an approved course of study:

Scholarship Responsibility:

  • Scholarship pays 100% of tuition and fees (the ECECD scholarship pays AFTER all other Financial Aid has been applied to your account).
  • Receipt of Financial Aid is not a requirement for receiving the scholarship; however, all scholars are encouraged to apply for Financial Aid. 
  • Scholarship pays 100% of textbooks for approved courses.
  • Scholarship reimburses 100% of PRAXIS testing costs upon verification of passed exam score.
  • Scholars are awarded one semester of funding with the possibility of renewal each semester.  Scholars must reapply every semester to submit verification documents.

Student Responsibility:

  • Only textbook purchases for approved courses are authorized at 100%.  Scholar assumes responsibility for unauthorized purchases, and any other expenses, including any associated travel costs.  
  • You are encouraged to apply for FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aide) and/or other scholarships; however, receipt of Financial Aid is not a requirement for the ECECD Scholarship.
  • It is recommended that a scholar complete a minimum of six credit hours per contract year.  Taking minimum credits per year can lead to prolonged degree attainment.
  • There is no specific GPA requirement for the scholarship program.  However, ECECD does not pay for failed courses that must be retaken to fulfill degree requirements.
  • Scholar must remain eligible throughout the duration of the scholarship.  Individuals who do not meet their scholarship requirements will be ineligible for additional awards.
  • Scholars are responsible for any tuition and fees associated with courses dropped after the specific drop/add deadline at their IHE.
  • The scholar commits to continue working in an Early Childhood program for the duration of the scholarship, plus one additional year.
Click here to apply for the ECECD Scholarship

Bachelor's Degree

For scholars pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in an approved course of study:

Scholarship Responsibility:

  • Scholarship pays 100% of tuition and fees (the ECECD scholarship pays AFTER all other Financial Aid has been applied to your account).
  • Receipt of Financial Aid is not a requirement for receiving the scholarship; however, all scholars are encouraged to apply for Financial Aid. 
  • Scholarship pays 100% of textbooks (beginning FALL 2022) for approved courses.
  • Scholarship reimburses 100% of PRAXIS testing costs upon verification of passed exam score.
  • Scholars are awarded one semester of funding with the possibility of renewal each semester.  Scholars must reapply every semester to submit verification documents.

Student Responsibility:

  • Only textbook purchases for approved courses are authorized at 100%.  Scholar assumes responsibility for unauthorized purchases, as well as, any unpaid textbook charges and/or other expenses, including any associated travel costs.  
  • You are encouraged to apply for FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aide) and/or other scholarships; however, receipt of Financial Aid is not a requirement for the ECECD Scholarship.
  • It is recommended that a scholar complete a minimum of six credit hours per contract year.  Taking minimum credits per year can lead to prolonged degree attainment.
  • There is no specific GPA requirement for the scholarship program.  However, ECECD does not pay for failed courses that must be retaken to fulfill degree requirements.
  • Scholar must remain eligible throughout the duration of the scholarship.  Individuals who do not meet their scholarship requirements will be ineligible for additional awards.
  • Scholars are responsible for any tuition and fees associated with courses dropped after the specific drop/add deadline at their IHE.
  • The scholar commits to continue working in an Early Childhood program for the duration of the scholarship, plus one additional year. 
Click here to apply for the ECECD Scholarship

Masters and Doctorate Degree

For scholars pursuing a graduate-level degree in an approved course of study:

Scholarship Responsibility:

  • Graduate-level scholarships may be available, depending on funding.
  • As of October 1, 2024, we are no longer accepting brand new applications for graduate-level scholarships.  Applicants who have already been awarded for the 2024-2025 school year will continue to be funded through degree completion, but brand new (starting a degree) applicants will not be accepted.
  • Scholarship pays 80% of tuition and fees (the ECECD scholarship pays AFTER all other Financial Aid has been applied to your account).
  • Receipt of Financial Aid is not a requirement for receiving the scholarship; however, all scholars are encouraged to apply for Financial Aid. 
  • Scholarship reimburses 100% of PRAXIS testing costs upon verification of passed exam score.
  • Scholars are awarded one semester of funding with the possibility of renewal each semester.

Student Responsibility:

  • Scholar assumes responsibility for all textbooks and other expenses, including any associated travel costs.  IMPORTANT:  The scholarship does not pay for textbooks for graduate-level degrees.
  • You are encouraged to apply for FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aide) and/or other scholarships; however, receipt of Financial Aid is not a requirement for the ECECD Scholarship.
  • It is recommended that a scholar complete a minimum of six credit hours per contract year.  Taking minimum credits per year can lead to prolonged degree attainment.
  • There is no specific GPA requirement for the scholarship program.  However, ECECD does not pay for failed courses that must be retaken to fulfill degree requirements.
  • Scholar must remain eligible throughout the duration of the scholarship.  Individuals who do not meet their scholarship requirements will be ineligible for additional awards.
  • Scholars are responsible for any tuition and fees associated with courses dropped after the specific drop/add deadline at their IHE.
  • The scholar commits to continue working in an Early Childhood program for the duration of the scholarship, plus one additional year.
Click here to apply for the ECECD Scholarship