ECECD Scholarship Information
Your path to credentials and degrees
Horas de Oficina en Español
Las Horas de Oficina en español ahora están disponibles cada jueves y viernes, la primera semana de cada mes, desde las 11 hasta las 12, para brindar respuestas y consejos con respecto a todos los programas de ECECD y ECN. Haga clic aquí para entrar a le reunión: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86282845069?pwd=NXe4gG7quIx1mGk1INpTa3Pqb2NibD.1
Nota: Estas horas de oficina son para los hispanohablantes solamente – los anglohablantes deben continuar a contactar a la línea principal o a su asesor directamente.
The ECECD (Early Childhood Education and Care Department) Comprehensive Early Childhood Scholarship Program helps early childhood professionals afford college classes that lead to certificates, credentials, and degrees. ECECD sets the rules for who qualifies for the Scholarship and Payment Incentive programs. All awards depend on available funding.
Who the Scholarship Is For
The ECECD Scholarship uses a cost-share model and is available to New Mexico early childhood employees who work in one of the following:
- Early care and education programs that are licensed or registered through ECECD Tribal child care programs
- ECECD-funded PreK or Early PreK programs in community-based settings
- NM PreK or Early PreK programs offered by public schools or charter schools, including Title I or 619 Preschool Programs
- NM Head Start or Early Head Start programs
- NM Tribal Head Start or Early Head Start programs
- ECECD-funded New Mexico Home Visiting or Family Infant Toddler programs
- ECECD-funded Early Childhood Coalition programs
- Early Childhood faculty teaching full-time or part-time at a New Mexico public or tribal college
- ECECD-approved SEED (Social and Emotional Early Development) consultants who provide Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health services and are working toward related degrees or accreditations, or individuals enrolled in programs to become SEED consultants
Basic Scholarship Requirements
To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must:
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Enroll in a qualifying New Mexico college or university and pursue a degree or certificate in Early Childhood Education.
- Work with children ages 0–5 (birth through Pre-K)
- Work at least 20 hours per week at a qualifying early childhood program in New Mexico, or participate in a pre-approved internship.
- Faculty applicants must teach early childhood courses at least part-time at a qualifying institution.
Employment Verification Letter
All applicants must submit an employment verification letter written on letterhead that includes:
- Your name
- Job title
- Ages of children you work with
- Hours worked per week
- Hourly pay rate
- Signature of your supervisor
- Your supervisor’s contact information
Ongoing Requirements
Applicants must remain eligible for the full duration of the scholarship.
Additional responsibilities are listed 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)
Keep reading to learn about the responsibilities for each scholarship model, or use the link on the left to find your specific credential or degree program. Our staff are here to support you and answer any questions you may have.
Certificate / Associate Degree
For scholars working toward a Certificate or Associate Degree in an approved program
Scholarship Responsibilities
The scholarship program will:
- Pay 100% of tuition and fees (after all other financial aid is applied).
- Receipt of Financial Aid is not required to receive the scholarship; however, all scholars are encouraged to apply for Financial Aid.
- Pay 100% of textbook costs for approved courses.
- Reimburse 100% of PRAXIS testing fees once you show proof of passing your exam.
- Provide funding one semester at a time, with the option to renew each semester. You must reapply every semester and submit updated verification documents.
Student Responsibilities
As a scholar, you:
- Use scholarship funds only for approved textbooks. You pay for any unauthorized purchases or other expenses, including travel.
- Are encouraged to apply for FAFSA or other scholarships, though financial aid is not required for the ECECD Scholarship.
- Complete at least six credit hours per contract year.
- Taking fewer credits can delay your degree.
- Maintain good academic standing. ECECD does not pay for the same course more than once.
- Remain eligible for the entire scholarship period. If you do not meet the requirements, you become ineligible for future awards.
- Commit to working in an early childhood program for the entire duration of your scholarship, plus one additional year.
Bachelor's Degree
For scholars working toward a Bachelor’s degree in an approved program
Scholarship Responsibilities
The scholarship program:
- Pays 100% of tuition and fees (after all other financial aid is applied).
- Encourages you to apply for financial aid, but financial aid is not required to receive the scholarship.
- Pays 100% of textbook costs for approved courses.
- Reimburses 100% of PRAXIS testing fees once you provide proof of a passing score.
- Awards funding one semester at a time, with the option to renew each semester. You reapply every semester and submit updated verification documents.
Student Responsibilities
As a scholar, you:
Purchase textbooks only for approved courses. You pay for any unauthorized textbook purchases, unpaid charges, or other expenses, including travel.
Are encouraged to apply for FAFSA or other scholarships, but financial aid is not required for the ECECD Scholarship.
Maintain good academic standing. ECECD does not pay for the same course more than once.
- Remain eligible for the entire scholarship period. If you do not meet the requirements, you lose eligibility for future awards.
- Pay any tuition and fees for classes you drop after your college’s drop/add deadline.
- Commit to working in an early childhood program for the entire duration of your scholarship, plus one additional year.
Master's and Doctorate Degree
For scholars working toward a graduate-level degree in an approved program
Scholarship Responsibilities
The scholarship program:
- May offer graduate-level scholarships depending on available funding.
- As of October 1, 2024, ECECD no longer accepts new applications for graduate-level scholarships. Scholars already awarded for the 2024–2025 school year continue to receive funding until they complete their degree, but new applicants starting a degree are not eligible.
- Pays 80% of tuition and fees (after all other financial aid is applied).
- Encourages you to apply for financial aid, although it is not required to receive the scholarship.
- Reimburses 100% of PRAXIS testing fees once you provide proof of a passing score.
- Awards funding one semester at a time, with the option to renew each semester.
Student Responsibilities
As a scholar, you:
- Pay for all textbooks and any other expenses, including travel. Important: The scholarship does not cover textbooks for graduate-level degrees.
- Are encouraged to apply for FAFSA or other scholarships, but financial aid is not required for the ECECD Scholarship.
- Complete at least six credit hours per contract year. Taking only the minimum may delay your graduation.
- Maintain good academic standing. ECECD does not pay for the same course more than once.
- Remain eligible for the full duration of the scholarship. If you do not meet requirements, you cannot receive additional awards.
- Pay any tuition or fees for classes you drop after your institution’s drop/add deadline.
- Commit to working in an early childhood program for the entire duration of your scholarship, plus one additional year.