Kentucky Early Childhood Development Scholarship

About this scholarship

The Kentucky Early Childhood Development Scholarship helps eligible Kentucky early-childhood employees pay for an approved credential or degree while continuing their work with young children. For 2026-2027, KHEAA can cover up to full tuition and eligible fees at a participating institution, capped at $7,089 per semester. Approved study options include the Child Development Associate credential, an associate degree in early childhood education, an approved bachelor’s or master’s program in interdisciplinary early childhood education, and the Kentucky Early Childhood Development Director’s Certificate. Applicants must be Kentucky residents and U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents. They must work at least 20 hours per week in a participating early-childhood facility or serve as a preschool associate teacher in a state-funded preschool program, maintain satisfactory academic progress, and have no unpaid obligation to KHEAA or another Title IV program. Students cannot receive the scholarship if state or federal training funds through Head Start, a public preschool program, or First Steps are available to them. The application has two core parts: the FAFSA and the Early Childhood Development Scholarship application inside MyKHEAA under “Apply Online for Scholarships.” State rules also require the employer-verification page to be certified and submitted by the term deadline. For Spring 2027, the November 15 statutory date rolls to Monday, November 16 because it falls on a Sunday. Recipients must accept the service commitment associated with their credential.

Eligibility

• Be a Kentucky resident and a United States citizen, national, or permanent resident
• Be enrolled in an approved early-childhood credential or degree at a participating institution
• Work at least 20 hours per week in a participating early-childhood facility or work as a preschool associate teacher in a state-funded preschool program
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress under the participating institution’s standards
• Not be eligible for state or federal training funds through Head Start, a public preschool program, or First Steps
• Have no unpaid financial obligation to KHEAA or another Title IV program
• Complete both the FAFSA and the Early Childhood Development Scholarship application in MyKHEAA
• Have the employer-verification page certified and submitted by November 16, 2026 for Spring 2027 consideration
• Agree to the service commitment that applies to the credential or degree supported by the scholarship