Early Achievers Grant

What is an Early Achievers Grant?

The Early Achievers Grant is a student financial aid program to help employed child care providers and early learning educators complete certificates and associate degrees in early childhood education. 

Guidelines

To be eligible, you must:

• Be a Washington state resident or have a valid work visa.
• Be employed as a child care provider at a child care center, family child care business or Head Start/ECEAP program that is actively participating in the Department of Children, Youth & Families Early Achievers.  
• Work a minimum of 10 hours a week or 40 hours a month at an eligible child care program.
• Have worked in the eligible program for a minimum of three months.
• Intend to enroll in an approved Early Childhood Education program at the college.
• Make a formal application to the college.

Services Provided 

• Funding for:
  • Tuition and fees up to 52 credits to be used within four years.
  • Required books and supplies up to $1,000
• Students may also get:
  • Tutoring
  • Career planning
  • Mentoring
  • Loaned textbooks, calculators or laptops
  • College success classes
  • Emergency child care
  • Emergency transportation

Application Process 

Contact the Early Achievers Grant point-of-contact at your community or technical college.

This staff person will help you apply and take your next steps. For additional assistance, please contact Anna Nikolaeva, Policy Associate, SBCTC.