Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program during the 2025-26 academic year, an applicant must:

• be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen (FSA Handbook Volume 1, Chapter 2) or meet the undocumented student" criteria of the RISE Act.
• be a member of the incumbent workforce, currently working or having worked in the early childhood industry (in either a licensed or license-exempt facility), including home-based child care (e.g., family, friend, neighbor), center-/community-based care, Preschool for All programs, school-based preschool settings, and Head Start programs, that serve children from birth to age 5. Acceptable positions include teachers, assistant teachers, directors, family child care providers and assistants
  • applicants must provide documentation confirming their current membership in the Gateways to Opportunity® Registry
• be enrolled or accepted for enrollment on a full- or part-time (at least 3 credit hours) basis at the undergraduate level at a public or non-profit private 2- or 4-year Gateways-entitled and Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity member institution, and pursuing at least one of the following:
  • an Associate of Applied Science degree (or related certificate) in early childhood education or an associate degree with a concentration in early childhood at an approved college; or
  • a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, with or without a Professional Educator License.
  • Please note: An applicant that has an AA/AAS degree in early childhood education but has not yet completed a bachelor's degree in early childhood education will meet the undergraduate education eligibility criteria for this program. Also, an applicant that has an undergraduate degree in any field other than early childhood education and is now pursuing an AA/AAS or bachelor's in early childhood education will meet the undergraduate education eligibility criteria for this program.
• maintain satisfactory academic progress as established by the college.
• complete the application process by submitting an Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program application and either a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) or, if applicable, an Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid on or before the ISAC-established priority consideration date.
• be certified as meeting eligibility requirements by the college at which the scholarship will be used.
• not be in default on any student loan, nor owe a refund on any State or federal grant.

Students do not have to demonstrate financial need to receive this scholarship, although the Student Aid Index (SAI) – from lowest to highest, determined based on information on the FAFSA or Alternative Application – is one of the prioritization factors considered when awarding funds.