2025-26 ECACE Scholarship Application Available – Priority Consideration Date: May 19

03/31/2025

The 2025-26 application for the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship Program is now available to complete and submit.

Please be sure to carefully read this communication before completing and submitting an application.

What's New for the 2025-26 Application and Awarding Processes?

An applicant's anticipated graduation date will come into play during the awarding process, which will prioritize applicants in the following order:

1. Renewal status – eligible applicants who were awarded and received ECACE Scholarship funds during the 2024-25 academic year will receive first priority, followed by eligible applicants who were awarded and received ECACE Scholarship funds during the 2023-24 academic year (but not during the 2024-25 academic year).
2. Proximity to graduation – if funding remains after all applicants who meet the "renewal status" criteria have been awarded, then eligible applicants who are within 30 credit hours of graduation (as certified by the college) will be awarded, as funds permit.
3. Financial need – if funding remains after all applicants who meet the "renewal status" and "proximity to graduation" criteria have been awarded, then any remaining funds will be awarded to applicants with the highest financial need.

General Information

• The ECACE Scholarship Program was created to address the shortage of early childhood educators and build a well-prepared workforce by encouraging the pursuit of credentials and advancement of already-held degrees in early childhood education.
• Awards are available for study at public and non-profit private two- and four-year Gateways-entitled and Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity member institutions.
• Applicants must submit an ECACE application and the FAFSA or Alternative Application for each academic year in which benefits are to be used.
  • The priority consideration date for the 2025-26 ECACE Scholarship application and the 2025-26 FAFSA or Alternative Application is May 19, 2025.
    • Applications received after May 19 will be given consideration only if funding remains available after all timely, qualified applicants have been awarded.
  • To determine your eligibility for the scholarship, the ECACE-participating Illinois college at which you plan to use the award must be listed on your FAFSA or Alternative Application.
  • Be sure to review the program eligibility requirements for the 2025-26 academic year prior to submitting an application.
• Although there is no teaching commitment connected to the award, recipients are expected to continue or return to teaching or direct services in the early childhood care and education field after they complete their program of study.
• Learn more about the program – including eligibility requirements and how to apply – by visiting these resources at the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) website (isac.org):
  • ECACE information page
  • ECACE interactive application
  • FAFSA information and access to application
  • Alternative Application information and access to application

Need Assistance Completing the FAFSA?

If you tried to complete the FAFSA earlier this year and had difficulty because of technical issues, know that many of these issues have been fixed. Plus, ISAC offers free help statewide to assist you in completing the application quickly and easily.

• Book a free virtual appointment with our ISAC FAFSA experts at https://bit.ly/4birpF5.
• Participate in an upcoming Financial Aid Application Completion Workshop.
  • Find an event near you by visiting the Events page, which is located in the ISACorps section of the ISAC Student Portal.

Additional Teaching Resources

Visit the Teaching page of the Students & Parents area of the ISAC website to find links to resources that include (but are not limited to):

• details about teacher preparation and certification in Illinois;
• information on state and federal gift assistance programs that are designed for students who plan to teach; and,
• facts about state and federal loan cancellation/forgiveness/repayment programs that are available for teachers.

Invite Your Colleagues/Friends to Subscribe to ISAC's e-Messaging Service

If you have colleagues or friends who may be interested in the "Students" and/or "Teaching Professionals/Education Major Students" groups but do not currently subscribe to ISAC's e-Messaging service, encourage them to sign up at the Students/Parents e-Messaging page.

You are receiving this message because you registered for ISAC's e-Messaging service through the Students subscription group.

If you have any questions regarding this e-Message, please contact an ISAC Student Engagement Representative by calling toll-free at 800.899.ISAC (4722) or chat with a representative live through the "Live Support-Online" button in the Students & Parents area of our website. You may also reach out to ISAC Student Services by e-mail at isac.studentservices@illinois.gov. We are happy to assist you.

Get information anytime about the college-going process and ISAC programs on ISAC's website and Student Portal, both accessible at isac.org.